Posted on: February 5th, 2012 by Clarke 7 Comments

The whole team waits this morning for the tall, happy web designer… oh wait, that’s me.  Sorry, guys.  You may have noticed over the last few posts that most of our stops have involved churches or church schools.  The reason for this is that churches are the primary organizers for schools and hospitals in this country.  Over 90% of the country is religious and it is no surprise since a vast number of basic human needs here from a young age are met by the church.  In my opinion, it really is beautiful to see the clergy here grounded in their priority to help all who need it, regardless of denomination or social standing.  The simple fact is that there is so much need and so many trying to survive, that really most of these social services are only provided through some sort of organized religion.

Today, after some early morning meetings, we are whisked away to Father Clement’s home town of Berekum, about half an hour away from our base at Sunyani.  We meet Father Augustine at St. Teresa’s, a large parish with from 4,000 to 5,000 active members.  With a little bit of time to spare, some of the crew goes a few blocks away to explore the town.  We are rock stars.  Every step we take, we’re followed by a throng of children.  Others stop their work in their roadside shops to watch us pass.  It is obvious that this is a region very few white people visit.

After the first round of adjustments at St. Teresa’s, we pile into the van and Nicholas (our driver) heads down another bumpy African road to a nearby Junior High School.  It is Groundhog Day here in Ghana, but judging from the heat today, there is no shadow; winter is definitely over.  It’s hot and Dr. Scott removes a number of jerseys, shorts, and socks , generously donated by the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club, from the van.  They are warmly received by the school’s football coach and within moments, an impromptu football game is on.  Since all the jerseys are child-sized, Dr. Scott generously removes his own as a gift to the coach.  It’s a touching moment; we can all feel the immense appreciation.

Shaded adjustments under the trees

Dr. Scott adjusting

Football gear donated by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Dr. Scott Gives his jersey to the football coach

The evening is one of our best yet.  We are welcomed to the beautiful house of the bishop and overseer of the hospitals of Sunyani.  He is keenly interested in chiropractic and asks us a very traditional question asked to strangers, “Why are you here?”  Dr. Robert is happy to describe chiropractic to a man who has never been introduced to it before.  “In life, you’re either making choices towards health or away from health.  If you eat loads of fruits and vegetables, and natural meats, you head towards health.  If you eat sugary, unhealthy foods, you head away from health.  If you exercise, you head towards health; if you’re lazy and never leave the front of the TV, you head away from health.  Happy, healthy thoughts lead you toward health; negative thoughts lead you away from it.  All of life is filled with these decisions.  Chiropractic is a conscious decision to head toward health.  The brain is the master of the entire body.  From it, messages are sent down the spine to maintain optimum health throughout the entire body.  It controls everything from the immune system to the digestive system.  The way God has made the body is that it heals itself.  When disease or problems are discovered by the body, it’s the brain’s job to send the appropriate messages to repair the problem and return the body to health – its norm.  When daily stress and pressures occur, the messages are blocked or slowed down.  Chiropractic simply adjusts the spine to allow the brain to better communicate with the rest of the body, so the body can heal naturally, without the need for drugs.  Chiropractic for the World is here to introduce chiropractic to this area, to offer immediate and continual care to those who can benefit from it, and to inspire people to want to become chiropractors in their own country.”

The bishop nods through the entire monologue and replies quickly that it makes complete sense.  He reports that many people he speaks to already distrust Western drugs, not finding the side effects worth the relief.  The dialogue moves to the possibility of opening a clinic in the area so people may receive affordable care.  Last time we were here, a blind person received his site and many with walking problems found immediate relief from a single adjustment.  This reputation precedes us.  He immediately communicates his support and assistance by offering land to build a local clinic.  He is eager to have things happen as soon as possible.

The conversation marks a major step in the foundation’s progress towards our vision.

Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Catholic Bishop of Sunyani

Group shot with the Bishop