"Everything is Part of It"

Christopher (left) and Stephen Tumase KG2

Morning assembly disperses. 

BS 3 

Percy KG1

Clockwise, from left to right: Francis BS4, Francis BS1, Precious KG2, and Loretta KG2 

Adwaa Pokuaa BS 2

Clockwise from L to R: Wendy BS4, Agnes BS3, Teresa BS4, Sandra BS4, Christa BS2 and Lil' Francis BS1

James KG2

The kids learn how to use a camera in ICT. 

Francis; the kids' shot. 

This picture is washed out, but I like it. I'll also admit it, yes, I'm a bit partial to James. 

Bus shot with Auntie Milli and some of the boarders after mass. 

These spiders are prolific in the corners of the convent. 

This one seems to have an affinity for my room's balcony. These thread-waisted wasps' nests are remarkable when complete.

Sluggin' around some dandelions. 

These beetles love the dandelion greens as well. 

Mantis 

Progress is relative. 

Random kids after school near tech junction. 

Malaria sucks, bites, stings...regardless of the pun, it's absolutely no fun. Fortunately, this hospital is fairly close to Akokoamong. 

Ha...I couldn't resist. This is what we'd call the 'maternity ward' in the U.S. 

As we are in week five of the school year, BTLA is running smoothly and successfully. Enrollment for the year is very high and attendance has been strong. I have been openly welcomed by the faculty and I am enjoying the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) classes that I teach. Thus far, we have namely been focusing on theoretical elements in the classroom, but I plan to move all grade levels to the lab this upcoming week. BTLA is a fairly dynamic environment in terms of classes and on some days I have taught math (or maths), language arts, reading comprehension and natural science. I have also had opportunities to tutor students in French and play some futbol. Adapting to some of the Ghanaian pedagogy has been difficult, but the students' eagerness to learn and their uninhibited spirits continuously remind me why I became a teacher.

 Presently, I have been out of school for more than a week with Malaria and an upper respiratory infection. Being confined to my room with sickness has definitely brought on the blues and has delayed my course schedule but c'est la vie, as I'm always lookin' for a rainbow, the time in bed has spurred some good reflection, novel reading and introspection as well. My acclimation to the myriad cultures here expands every week, whether it's the Twi, village hopping, food, electrical theatrics, the conservation efforts, the prosperous essence of the people, gender normative expectations, nun livin', or the caucasian void...it's all quite becoming, and beautifully at that.