On Friday I went to the Liberian refugee camp near Accra.It was founded 30 years ago and a lot of the children who now live there were born in Ghana.The camp is headed by UNHCR. UNAIDS, Unicef and the World Food Organization are also present.They try to organize skill workshops but it's hard for Liberians to get a job in Ghana so most of them wqork within the camp and receive money from relatives living abroad (especially Canada and the US).HIV/AIDS is quite a big problem there so there quite a big clinic on the ground where people can get tested.I saw several posters within the camp trying to convince people to get tested and have safer sex.
Visiting the camp was quite an experience. People have actual little houses there, not tents but they still don't own a lot.One of the small shacks burn down while we were there and people were devastated as this is their only property.Most people won't go back to Liberia.Most of time because they have made their life here.Although they do not own much here, life in Liberia does not provide as much security as life in the camp.They have built their own small Liberia here.
On Saturday, I went to Kokrobite beach with some of the volunteers.A lot of Ghanaians come there to dance and play drums so it was great to experience that side of Ghanaian culture.Needless to say Ghanaians know how to throw a party.
I'm starting my project tomorrow.I'm very excited.The Children's Hospital has some great programs and try to provide the best care possible.However, the government recently cut funding so they have a lot to deal with.I'll tell you more about it once I've spent some time there but the nurses were very nice and showed me around for quite a long time.They try to teach parents to establish a healthy diet for their child even with little means.In the rehabilitation center, some of kids were really skinny.One of the nurses measured a child's upper arm to see how much weight he needed to gain.It's quite sad to watch but at least the child will receive help.
No comments:
Post a Comment