Feb 5- In and Around Wa
Posted on: February 6th, 2012 by Clarke 5 Comments
Another day at the office…
We’re moving into our rhythm as we begin the second week of our trip. The crew is a little bit tired and a few of us have had to sit out an excursion or two due to minor ailments which often accompany international travel. Fatigue is obvious, but are our hearts are full. We’re here to serve and happy to continue. Dr. Robert really has done a tremendous job of organizing this crew and trip. Not everything has run completely to plan, but he’s contributed an amazing effort and certainly maximized our care to the people of this county. We are sincerely honored by his dedication.
First stop is at a major cathedral in Wa. It’s large and beautiful and the crowds attend for care following morning mass. Since it is Sunday, we are witness to the most colorful and beautiful African dress of the men, women and children. Their fashion is unique and lovely and all smile when you tell them so. Here, tragedy strikes our team for the first time when I lose my beautiful pen. Thankfully, although the pain of loss remains, Suzanne gives me a backup so I can continue to take notes.
We leave for a small journey to one of the surrounding towns named Kaleo, 45 minutes away. Here we split up again to a school and a hospital in another nearby town. The towns are small, and the hospital group is done first. We regroup and finish the school with all four doctors and head to lunch.
The final stop of the day is the Queen of Peace School in the Nadowlei district, another half an hour away. Set back from the highway a little ways, we make our way down and connect with our contacts who are awaiting our arrival. When we arrive, a large (and LOUD) makeshift bell is rung to announce our arrival and summon the students.
Queen of Peace houses a large hall, where we set up. Fifteen ceiling fans cool the long, open hall and as it fills, we run our down-pat routine again. Robert delivers a great teaching on the science and importance of chiropractic. During his conversation with some of the students, a few express their interest in pursuing chiropractic for their own country. More success!
On the way back, one of the priests from the school asks us to stop and have a drink at a local pub to express his appreciation (“A chiropractor and a priest walk into a bar…”). A quick drink, a few laughs, and some strong handshakes and waves later, we head toward our temporary home for supper and bed. This stop is no doubt one we will make again.
A few hours into the night, the city erupts into cheers and wakes those of us who turned in early. Ghana’s Black Stars Football team has just won against Tunisia in overtime and advanced to semi-finals in the Orange Africa Cup of Nations!
I love reading your posts and looking at the amazing photos! Thanks for sharing your journey with us. You all look like you are having a life changing experience, as well as changing thousands of other lives!
WOW!!! It’s so beautiful to see in photos what you are up to. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. photos!! You are all doing such wonderful work- we are loving reading the daily posts (and now the photos!), and looking forward to hearing more stories when you all return. Makes us all want to be there with you…
Thank you for taking us on the journey with you! So inspiring! So heart felt!
It’s wonderful to finally see what you’re seeing! The photos are absolutely tremendous and really give us a sense of the impact you guys are having. It also nice to see your smiling faces
I agree with Joel. It is great to the smiles and to read about the appreciation from the clergy.