Human Rights Film Festival

For those of you living in London, the Human Rights Film Festival starts in 2 days:

http://www.hrw.org/en/iff/london

"Women's Rights are Human Rights'"

It's not really a time to party considering there is a lot to improve in terms of women's rights and status but it is an important day. The first IWD took place in 1911. International Women's Day (IWD) highlights women's economic, political and social achievements.During the month of March organisations and government choose a theme that reflect global and local gender issues. For example. the UN's theme this year is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities and Progress for All."

Remarks by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (UNHQ) - Click here to read
"International Women's Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men."
Video

And:
Hillary Clinton's message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0aHOxr5wx8

"Women’s empowerment lifts obstacles to achieving development goals, Ban says"

International Women's Day website

I also found this one interesting: "UNICEF event focuses on involving boys and men in the promotion of gender equality"

Rwandan Visa

I got my Rwandan visa this week.That was quick.I guess they don't have a lot of demands....

Cities!

Ghana's main big cities

Kumasi

This is probably Western Africa's biggest market.It's huge, VERY busy and you will get lost.But that's part of the fun. You can buy everything here: fabric, food, pig feet and mutton head, art, shoes...everything is somewhat organized...somewhat.But obviously there is no map so you just get lost but then suddenly you'll be out again.













Accra

Few people like Accra, tourists and Ghanaians alike. It's the capital so it's big, noisy, dirty...But somehow I really liked it.I had to go there almost every day to go to work and somehow I liked it even tough it is noisy and dirty.It's part of the atmosphere.Even the traffic.The village I lived at was 40 km away but it would take at least 2 hours to reach Accra

Independence Square. this is where Kwame Nkrumah declared Ghana's independence

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial. This is also where he and his wife are buried.


Cape Coast

It was founded in the 15th century. As you know this where all the slaves got shipped to the Americas so throughout the 18th century Cape Coast's economy was dominated by its role at the heart of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Hundreds of captured individuals every day sat in the dungeons awaiting shipment.

You really see the Western/Victorian/colonial influence here in terms of architecture. You have quite a large range of architectural styles. Yes, there even is a bridge named "London bridge"...it's not really a bridge actually.It's a poor city and quite a few of the colonial houses are run down but it's beautiful nonetheless. The castles are rather well-preserved as well.The atmosphere is very special because although it's an old town and an important cultural and historical centre it's rather small and you get a real sense of community here.Centuries ago it used to be a small fishing village and somehow you still get that feel.

Nature...

You know, when you work in hospitals during the week, it's nice to get away on the weekend, just to relax. Also, traveling allowed me to eat some Western food. I love African dishes but sometimes you just want a burger...or a salad (good luck finding lettuce at the market).Weekends meant traveling, beaches, reserves, baboons,...

Oh and today symbolizes the start of the Winter Olympics....Ghana has one athlete (ski)...Go Ghana!

Liberian Refugee Camp

The two Liberian civil wars forced a lot of people to flee their country. Many Liberian refugees can be found in Ghana, not far away from Accra.The Buduburam refugee camp is huge and has a population of approximately 40,000 people.Because some refugees have been there for almost 30 years, actual small shacks have been built, so people don't live in tents. There is a school and a small football field.
In the 1980s, Liberia was headed by Samuel K. Doe. The first Liberian war started in 1989, when arbitrary rule (Doe suspended the constitution and formed an authoritarian regime called People's Redemption Council.) and economic collapse culminated in a rebellion against Doe. National Patriotic Front of Liberia militia, led by Charles Taylor's, overran much of the countryside and entered the capital in 1990. Doe was executed, leading to a civil war. The rebels split into several groups and started fighting each other. A peace treaty was signed in 1995 and Taylor was elected president. However, a second civil war started in 1999 when renewed anti-government fighting started in the north. In 2003, Taylor eventually stepped down.

UN peacekeepers moved into Liberia in 2003 to help implement a peace deal and make the country secure both for civilians and for a transitional government. However, the years of civil war left the country in ruin.
Taylor has been indicted for crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone, where he allegedly aided rebels who murdered civilians.

Around 250,000 people were killed and many thousands more fled. As of 2004, at least 200,000 Liberian refugees were living in surrounding countries. An estimated 15,000 children fought in Liberia's civil war.
In Ghana, many refugees cannot find work so many opened small businesses in the camp. But a lot of them are unemployed. They get help from relatives living abroad, including the US and Canada. Most Ghanaians have accepted the Liberian community but finding a job is difficult nonetheless. Some NGOs also teach the refugees new skills and organize workshops in an attempt to improve people's chances. Some kids can also get scholarships.
As I already told you, some of the refugees told me their stories. A midwife at the Maternity Clinic saw her husband being killed and her son, then a toddler, was heavily burnt when a soldier threw boiling water on him. Others had to leave parents behind and now live in the camp without knowing if their relatives are still alive. Some of them would like to return home but with Liberia's economy in ruin they're almost better off here. Some even tried to go back but were forced to return to Ghana when they realized that life in Liberia was too difficult. Some refugees were victims of renewed violence once they returned to Liberia. At the camp offers some kind of security. More over, some got married and have kids in Ghana.

UNHCR headquarters and cars:

HIV/AIDS is quite an important problem in the camp. Conflict always renders refugees more vulnerable to HIV transmission. The UN High Commission for Refugees, which set up the camp in 1989, is heavily present. Confidential testing is available on the ground and is heavily encouraged. There are counselors on the ground, including Liberian counselors. However, stigma is fierce so counselors try to raise awareness in schools and churches. One of the main problems is that HIV tests are expensive and cannot be done in the settlement. Moreover, running water and electricity are not available, even at the settlement clinics. Poor sanitation, malaria, malnutrition only make the situation worse.

Workplaces

The Malnutrition war and Rehabilitation Center at the Children's Hospital:

Here are "after/before" pictures that the staff put up on the wall. The "before" pictures are pretty sad but then you see them a few weeks later and it's very hopeful. Only kids with HIV have no chances of getting better.
I saw this little girl while I was there and now she is tall and chubby. It's great to see.

Here they try to tell parents about a child's nutritional needs: soja beans, fish, vegetables etc. They make sure the parents can afford it.

Here is the kitchen at the Rehab center where the nurses supervise mothers
Mayme and her mother. A few weeks ago she was still pretty skinny buth the rehabilitation center is amazing. Currently, they staff is trying to get a car so they can pick up young patients and their parents who cannot afford transport to the hospital
















Margo Maternity Home and Clinic, a rural hospital in Krodua. Again poverty was very visible as mothers were saddened at the idea of having another child when they already had three or more. Self-induced abortions were not rare.
This is the OP, where they first admit patients. For example, pregnancy tests are taken outside then patients go to the consulting room. Chickens and cats roam around. There is also a labor room and a laboratory where blood tests are taken.















The nurses

Connie's Clinic and Maternity Home. A lot of anaemia cases, leading to high maternal death rates. But the head midwife there was amazing. She was really trying to convince mothers to get tested for HIV. She also tried to explain to women that family planning is not dangerous. She tries to tell them about the consequences of big families when money is scarce.



Latifah



























Labor room. Very basic.






























Me and the staff















Trying to reduce child mortality levels by encouraging immunisation. You can also see family planning and safe-sex posters.