Everyday Life

I hope today’s blog post will give you a flavor of what I am experiencing, here in Damongo, Ghana.  It is mainly a compilation of photos for you to enjoy.

One Sunday afternoon, we took a short safari at Mole National Forest – which is a quick 20 minute car ride from Damongo.    Most everyone who visits Mole will pass through Damongo on their way.

We saw 12 elephants – one of which came very close to charging us.  We started following an elephant down the road.  He stopped to eat at a tree.   Suddenly we realized there was a second, much larger elephant, with tusks, following us!  We were sandwiched between two elephants!  The larger one kept coming toward us, ears wagging and he sounded his trumpet.  We ran into the bush, at the guides demand.  The guide had his rifle ready to shoot in to the air to scare the elephant, when the elephant himself, veered off the road into the bush.  We scrambled to our vehicles, having had a very exciting, yet scary few minutes. 

As our safari continued, we saw a number of other elephants.  Three teenage elephants at a water whole, some adult elephants, one taking a dip in the water while two others just having a drink.  We also drove right past an elephant whose hind feet seemed to be a bit stuck in the mud. A second elephant was in the trees coming to his rescue – again, we drove out of there quickly!

At Mole, we also saw various types of monkeys,  antelope, wart hogs, and baboons.

Here are some photos which show what everyday life looks like in and around Damongo.

Road to SAGISS

It is dry and very bumpy and we must go ever so slowly.  What would normally take 2-3 minutes to drive in United States takes us 18 minutes down this road.  Supposedly it is worse in rainy season!  I can imagine getting stuck….  We also meet huge trucks carrying gravel, logs and people – somewhat surprisingly, they are Mercedes Benz.

 Fencing along the road to SAGISS.  The hard work it took to make it is amazing.

Young boys selling chickens on side of road

Sheep walking freely through town

This is Isaac - my faithful phone guy. 

He sells me Vodafone minutes so I can be in touch with family and friends!  His stand is right next to the bank where I get Ghana currency.   He is a very nice 22 year-old young man who is patient with this older, American woman who doesn’t know much about how things work in Ghana – or how phones work in general – right Joe and Paul???!

Street vendor in Damongo selling used shoes.  Huge piles of shoes! 

Father on motorcycle with his three sons.  Common sight seeing either multiple people or large loads on motorcycles. Seeing a baby strapped to his momma’s back while she drives a motorcycle is also common.

Young men hanging out at the petrol station where we were airing our tires before trip to Tamale. 

Three girls at the Tamale market

One side street at Tamale market

SAGISS girl carrying items on head to Dining Hall after cleaning the Teachers lounge one evening after classes.

Goats sitting atop tractor in SAGISS compound

Pigs wandering the SAGISS compound

I hope you enjoyed the photos of everyday life in Damongo!  I am doing fine!  Keep me in your prayers!  God bless you.  The adventure continues……