Jan 30- Kumasi and Offinso: Let’s Get to Work

Posted on: January 31st, 2012 by Clarke 1 Comment

Saint Anthony

With a late arrival on day one and a full day of traveling on day two, we’re finally in position for our first full work day in Kumasi today. The crew is ready to leave at 7:00am for a plentiful breakfast at Saint Anthony of Padua Dominican Parish. This is the same place we showed up to yesterday where a welcoming crew was waiting even though we were two hours late. Here we meet Father Moses, the incredible father of the parish and Samuel, our tremendous helper for our time in Kumasi. What a couple of quality of men! On Robert’s first trip, Samuel was curious about the visiting Chiropractor from Canada (Dr. Robert) and came to help out. He showed a great interest in the science and since then has shown a strong desire to become one in Ghana as well. Since then, he has obtained a job in the only chiropractor’s office in this city of two million.

Adjustments start at 9:00am. As Ghanaian culture dictates, adults are first, followed by children. At first, it doesn’t look like there are very many people; however, behind the parish is the primary school of St. Anthony’s where many children are waiting in multiple classrooms for their turn to be adjusted. Stream after stream of children in matching, beautiful blue uniforms comes down the stone stairs from the unfinished building. As the crowd grows, the teachers try to control them, but their excitement to see white people and the digital cameras overpowers the usual discipline the teachers obviously maintain.

The children are beyond friendly. The conversation is identical with each child speaking in flawless English. “What is your name? I am fine, thank you.” So polite and so filled with joy. Some are more adventurous in their English and plead with an unbelievably cute, “Please, will you be my friend?”

After a few minutes of wondering how this crowd continues to grow, Andras Schram (our professional photographer) and I decide to venture up the stairs. The building is literally simply a cement shell without electricity or plumbing. The parish is waiting for funding, but as the next step in construction will cost over $10,000 USD, the unfinished school will likely stay this way for many years to come.

At the top of the stairs, we see the perimeter of classrooms, grades 1-6. Of the classrooms that still have children, we are spotte and a meadow of smiles blooms instantly. “BRONI” (“white man”) is chanted by all as they rush to the windows and reach their hands out to touch us.

After a quick prayer, we're all on the same page and ready to give

Setting up the Astra-lite chiropractic table

Saint Anthony's School in Kumasi

Children at St. Anthony's

Dr. Robert adjusts at St. Anthony's

Dr. Scott adjusts at St. Anthony's

The Offinso School

With two hours of adjusting finished, we’re off for the 45-minute drive north to Offinso to the school built primarily by the generous donors and sponsors of CFTW. Last year when the school opened its doors, there were 11 students. This year there are 163, making it the fastest growing school in the area.

As we set up, Father Moses gushes, “I’m so grateful to all the Chiropractors for making this all possible.” All the children and staff come out for an adjustment session under a giant mango tree. It is one of the most picturesque settings imaginable.

A quick look at our itinerary reveals that we have to go already. What a pleasure to see something so permanent and so evidently making a radical difference in so many children’s lives.

Get lost in Offinso, but stop every few blocks so Samuel can ask for directions. Off to St. Agnes Catholic Church. More adjustments, more health and energy released. As we leave, they crowd around us with hugs, love, and shouts of appreciation.

It’s 3:00 and lunch time. We regroup at St. Anthonys but with so many stops left to do, combined with the traffic, we break into two groups. The first group goes off to Father Sylvanus while the second group goes to the Mckeon Temple, Church of Pentecost. At Mckeon Temple, there is only a small crowd of about 15 waiting. Dr. Rolly speaks with passion about what is about to happen as if the entire room were filled. However, as he speaks and the adjustments begin, people come from everywhere, steadily streaming into the building. We almost pack up three times, but more people keep coming. Father Moses tries, to no avail, to keep us on schedule and we meet up with the rest of our pack at 7:15 for a late supper.