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    My African adventure

    Season's greetings to one and all - sorry no new pix this time

    GHANA | Wednesday, 23 December 2009 | Views [944] | Comments [11]

    Dear all

    I just want to wish a very happy Christmas to those of you who celebrate it and season's greetings to those of you who don't. Happy New Year to one and all and I really hope that 2010 brings you health and happiness.

    I'm off to a place called Hideout Lodge on Thursday for a long weekend, back in Swedru on Sunday. I guess the name suggests that there won't be any internet access, but hopefully, I'll get to see some green turtles - we're a stone's throw from Green Turtle Lodge - and monkeys, crocs and tropical birds on an early morning canoe trip. Bit different from the usual turkey dinner and post-prandial walk in the snow/freezing cold with my sis. Also quite different from the usual day at the orphanage ...

    I'm now in Madame's bad books! My friend Forgive who works as an investigative journalist at TV3 in Accra, arranged for me to meet his boss on Sunday as they have been asked by Channel 4 (UK) to run a documentary on orphanages in Ghana (coincidence or what?). They've heard that huge numbers of kids are actually not orphans at all, but have at least one living parent - usually the father. I don't know what the percentage is but presumably the programme will dig deep and find out the extent. Certainly in Madame's orphanage, there are quite a lot of the older kids who have family to whom they will return for Christmas. The babes, however, don't have the same luck as they genuinely are all orphans, making it even more poignant when the older ones disappear.

    Anyway, Madame thinks I'm in some sort of conspiracy with TV3 to expose the orphanage for what it is! Nothing could be further from the truth ... (?!) I've asked Tina to get involved in this so I can remove myself from the process - Tina is the person who's organised all the volunteers at the orphanage and who agreed to TV3 getting involved. Will of course keep you posted. I may get kicked off the orphanage yet (but not as long as I continue to provide essentials like nappy rash cream today and Pure Water - as distinct from Running Water - which I also did today as there was no running water and they were getting water from the (very dirty) river. Fine possibly for bathing the babes, but I couldn't let them drink it).

    If you need to get hold of me for any reason over the next week, you can text me to my Ghanaian phone - I won't take my UK mobile with me, as space will be at a premium, in my back-packing capacity. Will update you on any new developments next time I (b)log on.

    Love to all ...

    Comments

    1

    From what I understood, it is certainly true that in many cases the "orphans" do have family, a parent even. It becomes arguable, however, whether their need is any less acute, given the amount of rural poverty. It is particularly difficult if there is no mother and the father is off working all day. There is a debate to be had and I do hope that a C4 / TV3 collaboration comes through. If Tina is batting for you, she is a formidable force!!
    Have a wonderful trip to Hideout Lodge - I never made it, but heard lots of good stuff about it.
    Enjoy x

      Wendy Dec 23, 2009 3:56 AM

    2

    Fantastic Blog. The pen pictures are vivid. It's the first blog I'ver bothered to follow. Keep it up.

    Best wishes to you from SD

      Alan C Dec 23, 2009 5:27 AM

    3

    Helen, thank you so much for keeping us updated - you are doing a great job out there and I'm humbled by your experiences.

    So I wish you Season's Greetings by return and hope you enjoy your mini break - very well deserved! As you can imagine, different dramas back at home here in the UK with snow and ice causing havoc on the roads, rail and in the air! Even Devon and Cornwall is experiencing it, quite a shock!!

    Look forward to seeing you in 2010...

      Fiona Dec 23, 2009 7:15 PM

    4

    Good to catch up with all your goings on, and sorry to hear about the run in with Madame. Hope it smoothes over, and that you will have enjoyed your time off. Not long until you have endless time off !! You write a good blog, and some excellent photos too. Lots of love from cold snowy( but sometimes sunny) Harrow ! Sue

      Sue Allett Dec 24, 2009 1:53 AM

    5

    OK - so the children have some family, maybe even a father. Probably the father couldn't work to earn a living if he had to look after the children himself. Maybe he has to work far from home. I'm sure there are a few bad cases but in general I'm with Wendy, I'm not sure it makes much difference.

    I can understand Madame being suspicious - of course she may have something to hide, but can you be sure that any documentary would be balanced, fair and truthful? I think maybe you should proceed with caution.

    On a lighter note, Hideout Lodge sounds wonderful and I hope you have a lovely time and see all the wildlife you could wish for! Just remind the crocs you're not their Christmas dinner! Colin x

      Colin Altman Dec 24, 2009 10:52 AM

    6

    Helen, just had a feast of reading your entire blog - what a marvellous experience. Hope you can keep the media at bay - they can be bad news....Hoping Hideout has running water in all the right places....wishing you a very happy 2010 Andrew

      Andrew Mayo Dec 24, 2009 9:41 PM

    7

    Hi helen
    Just re-read all your blog - you really are having an amazing experience - extremely challenging and thought provoking. glad to hear that you can also travel around and have some time to reflect on how Ghanaian society works and meet so many people. It'll be interesting to hear how they celebrate Christmas - a bit different to here! As everyone else has told you the big news at home is the dreadful weather that has brought the country grinding to a halt. It took Alan 3 hours to get home from Wealdstone the other night! Hope you enjoy your long weekend love Elainexx




      Elaine Barnett Dec 24, 2009 11:19 PM

    8

    Helen wow! I haven't managed to get back onto your blog until this afternoon... you are having some experience lady! The pix are fabulous - you are becoming quite the photographer! The babies look adorable... one wonders if a two bedroom flat in west hampstead will be big enough!! Hope Hideout Lodge turned out to be yet another great adventure... looking forward to hearing more and more... you write beautifully! Happy 2010 African style.
    Love Laura x

      Laura Dec 25, 2009 3:25 AM

    9

    Hi Helen

    Just caught up with all your amazing stories this morning after our 1.5 hr power cut - must have been in sympathy with your experiences. Sounds like you are living a truly incredible adventure which is both exciting and sad. Now you know why my American friend went home with 4 babies from Romania!

    Missing you and our chats and get togethers but am in awe of your ability to get up and do it. So looking forward to the next instalment.

    Merry Christmas/Chanukah and a Happy New Year. What a start to 2010!
    Love
    Carole xxx

      Carole G Dec 26, 2009 11:06 PM

    10

    I'm going to Romania in August! Can't see me bringing back four babies though - two should be enough to start with, surely.

      Suzi G Dec 29, 2009 12:10 AM

    11

    Hi Helen
    Have just read your entire blog and seen your amazing photos., I'm looking forward to your next instalments now I'm back on line.
    Christmas came and went - was really nice seeing Florence (grandaughter) on her first birthday. She had so many presents compared to your babies. Life can be so unfair.
    Hope you have a very happy new year.
    love
    janex

      jane Pomiankowski Dec 29, 2009 2:16 AM

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