Journal Post #19

In class on Wednesday we had a great discussion from the whole class. I loved the Question and Answer forum we had. I was really impressed with the facilitators stories and how they handled their worst situation while out in the field. I know that there will be many unforeseen experiences in Ghana. I have always been one to go with the flow but at times I know that there are situations that will just drain me physically and emotionally. I have had many days like that in my short college career. I think it is a good idea to write down exactly what could help me out on my bad days when my mind is so clouded and I have no idea what I am doing there. Although I won't post the more personal things I'll post generally what I do to handle situations

1. Why am I in Ghana?
I am in Africa for the experience. This experience will be beneficial to me for the rest of my life. In the Fall I will be starting my Athletic Training Major and a main part of that is dealing with Athletes one on one and taking charge. In Africa I will learn to be independent and learn how to better build rapport. The skills I will learn in the Field will be extremely beneficial in my Nursing career. I want to be a NICU nurse and taking charge is a large part of the job. Another skill I will for sure learn better in the field is how to "go with the flow." Although I have always been able to do this, I feel my adventure in Africa will only further develop this skill.

Listen to music.
Music has the ability to change your mood on the spot. I am a huge fan of music and the impact that it has on me is tremendous.

Talk to someone
Don't "vent" to them just have a conversation with one of the girls or someone from my Host family with nothing related to my research. Get your mind off of it for a little bit.

Go for a walk
Go look at the town as long as it is safe. Take pictures while you're out.

Watch a Movie
I will bring a couple of my favorite movies to watch when I have down time.

Go to the orphanage
While in Ghana I am doing an internship at the orphanage. Kids are such spirit lifters for me. Just sitting and talking to kids makes me forget about all of my problems. As weird as it sounds, it brings me back to the more simpler times in life. Although comparatively the kids in Ghana go through more in their first few years of life than I will ever experience.

This list will definitely be added to in the future and I have already written down in my personal journal what other things I can do to lift my spirits to make my experience in Ghana the best it can be.

Annotated source- The Voice of A Ghanaian Woman

This article was fascinating. In dealing with Women's healthcare, this article expressed different ideas women had about child birth. My research deals with a mother's choice for her children under five years of age, but choices about the child's health start even before conception.
The part that intrigued me the most was the part that discussed the fact that women expect pregnancy and birth to be a time of joy and happiness. Although this is true, a lot of the time the complications that can arise are not mentioned. Fifty-three percent of births are not attended by a skilled professional. This is a huge concern for the whole country.
This study was done in Wiamoase, Ghana in the Salvation Army Clinic. In 2006 there were 411 births in the clinic. Only 15.5% of pregnant women in Wiamoase receive four or more prenatal. Many do not seek treatment until the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
COST BREAKDOWN (USD)
Calcium pills each visit                        $0.20
Multivitamins etc.  each visit                $.050
Ultrasound, blood-work etc.                $6.00
Birth (3-stay visit)                                $10.00


-Women's role in Ghana is very centered on Motherhood. In fact, if a woman fails to produce posterity, her husband has the right to have another wife.
-Abortions are illegal.
-Women are motivated by their fears to have multiple children. They fear that if their only child dies there won't be anyone to take care of them. If children die, they feel a need to "replace" them. A family is Ghana ranges from about 3.4-6 depending on the region.
-Childbirth can be seen as dangerous in a clinical setting
-Clinics are viewed by some as a place to go for only illnesses. Pregnancy is not an illness so you go to a herbalist for treatment.

The article can be read here.

Journal Post #18

Continuing my theme of Ghanaian art I wanted to go into Ghanaian dance. A few weeks ago we discussed the culture of Ghana and how dance is a big part of expression. I believe that is true for everybody in the world. Dancers have so much passion for their sport because it allows them to express what they can't in words. In Ghana I have found the same to be true. In Ghana a lot of dances also explain a story. Either the story is their life story or a history lesson. There are dances for funerals, celebrations, storytelling, praise, and worship. Some of the dances have names too. There is the bamaya, adowa, kpanlogo (azonto), klama, agbadza, atsiagbekor, atsia, bɔbɔɔbɔ, and agahu. 

This is a Bamaya dance in Ghana.

It surprises me still how similar and different cultures can be. We express our emotions through dance but in such different ways. We don't dance at funerals but Ghanaians do. We don't usually dance when we get our families together but that is normal for a Ghanaian family. The food is going to be unrecognizable to me, showers will be taken less often, communication will be difficult, and I will be confused a lot. BUT, this is what is going to make Africa the adventure I want. My experience in Africa will be one of a kind and only I can decide how I want my trip to be. I know there will be difficult days for me but I want to try to remember that my time there is limited and this is a VERY RARE opportunity that I am able to participate in. As I get closer and closer to leaving I am anxious, nervous, excited, terrified, shocked, and not prepared enough. I might have moments where I freak out but over all I know that I am blessed. The prep course has helped me tremendously and so has my amazing facilitator and other girls going to Ghana. 

33 days! 

Journal Post #17

In class yesterday we discussed Ghanaian art and religion. I love art of other cultures. The part that fascinates me the most is the use of symbols in their art. I loved Katie's presentation of the pictures she took in the sanctuaries and how art is a large part of African culture. I researched a bit into the art and found out that the Adinkra symbols are part of a rich African tradition and originate from Gyaman - a former kingdom in today’s Ivory Coast. The stunning motifs were developed by the Asante people of Ghana who evolved the unique art of Adinkra printing cloths, made and used exclusively by royalty and spiritual leaders for sacred ceremonies. The meaning of each symbol derives from a proverb, history, events, human attitude, animal behavior, plants and shapes of inanimate and man-made objects. 

The Adinkra tradition continues to flourish in modern times and the number of symbols continues to grow. In contemporary Ghana, the symbols and their meanings are still very much used to convey a message through a wide range of products and crafts, including clothing accessories, interior design, carpentry, architecture etc.

I am going to print this out and paste it into my journal so when I'm out and about looking at the homes, sanctuaries, clothing, etc, I can identify the different symbols. Its almost an unspoken language. I feel as though an african woman wearing the strength symbol on her clothing is a way of expressing her strength and here in America a woman might wear a nice tailored pant suit and carry her self in a classy manner. The difference in cultures will always fascinate me. I hope I'll be able to understand the things I see in Africa and it won't all be a big blur!

Journal Post #16

On Monday we didn't have class so we could work on our IRB proposals. I hope I'll get approved the first time because those were HARD work! Now we have our research proposals due Friday and our tri-weekly  blog posts. I am seriously loving all the work we are doing for this class. I never thought I would hear myself say those words but by putting in all the hard work it helps me better understand what I'm going to be doing in Ghana and clear my head up a bit. This past week I have been in and out of Training Rooms for my Athletic Training Major pre-requisites so I haven't gotten much sleep lately. As I am in the training rooms I think of all the technology that has advanced over the years to keep athletes healthy. I was with baseball last week and they were doing ultrasounds on the arm and doing electrical stimulus to difference muscles. I was seriously so fascinated by everything that has been developed in the past 100 years. And then it got me thinking that only 40 years ago my uncle passed away from problem that nowadays could be fixed very easily. So if our medical system has been able to progress that quickly, what makes us think that these under-developed countries will always have the state of health care that they have? Through my research of Ghana specifically I know that there are doctors and nurses always over in Ghana teaching new methods to medical professionals there. Their want for knowledge is so great it almost makes me embarrassed on the days I don't go to class or don't pay attention in class. I am taking my education for granted sometimes when others in the world would do anything to sit inside of a classroom much less attend a university. I have such a unique opportunity to attend Brigham Young University and be taught in an educational and spiritual manner. "I would learn the healers art" is the theme for the Nursing College. I would imagine that is how many people in Ghana feel. The religious make-up of Ghana is 63% christian. Ghanaians tend to be very traditional and culturally minded people. Throughout my research I would imagine that I would be able to relate to them with my religious background. I know I am not in Ghana for any religious purposes at all, but it will be fun to attend church there and see the similarities and differences between teachings in countries.
The post today was a lot of my thoughts just rambling out onto the page but I can't get Africa out of my head! I think about it 24/7 and love doing research for it! I am fascinated by their medical care, traditions, family dynamics, market system, and compassion. I don't feel like I'll ever be prepared to go to Ghana but I'm hoping I will be able to wrap my self around SOMETHING before I leave. I have an AWESOME AWESOME  Field facilitator Jackie that is so patient with me and my craziness. I don't think I would have continued with any of this if it weren't for the girls and the prep- class. So as I go through the rest of this week still constantly thinking about Africa and what it will be like over there, I hope to be able to step back and realize how truly blessed I am and not take the health care system, education, or safety I have here for granted.

Journal Post #15

Thank Goodness It's Friday!

In college this has become one of my all time favorite lines. The weekend can not come sooner. Even though I still have papers to write, tests to take, and books to read, the fact that knowing it's the weekend makes everything so much better. I have been in and out of meetings with professors about my Field Study or for my major Athletic Training. Let me tell you I am exhausted from all this running around! However, the weather has been HEAVENLY. I spent all day yesterday out in the sun and plan on doing the same today. Ahhh the good life :) 

We spent wednesday's class out in the grass in the beautiful sunshine and I could tell everyone walking around was jealous they wish they had a class this cool that allowed them to have it outside. It was such an awesome class. We heard from everyone who has been to Ghana before and their first week there. I started to think about how my first week in Ghana will be like and if there is anything I can do now to prepare myself for the crazy adventure ahead. And after thinking for a really long time I realized there is honestly nothing I can do. I am going to experience culture shock. It's inevitable and the sooner I realize that, the sooner I can be ok with everything going on around me in Africa. I have always been pretty good at rolling with the flow but I can totally see how someone would be freaked out in unfamiliar settings with strangers and not knowing where you'll be going all the time. They asked us to plan out our first week in class and mine sort of looked like this

Day 1: Absolutely nothing. We'll be in Accra just getting over our jet lag and probably sleeping for most of the day which is okay with me!

Day 2: We'll make the drive to Wiamoase where we'll be spending the next 90 days! I get to meet my host family and explore the town a bit. 

Day 3-5 Go to the market, introduce myself to people in the town, explore the city, and spend a lot of time with my host family getting to know them.

Day 6 Go to the orphanage where I will do my Internship. Interview a couple of ladies around the town and see if any adjustments need to be made.

Day 7 Church! My 7th day will be a Sunday so I'll see what our Sundays will be like but I hope it involves a nice "family" dinner with a lot of relaxing time. 

I realize that I don't even think about my research project until the 6th day and there is a reason for that. I don't want to overwhelm myself with first trying to get acquainted with everything around me and also worrying about getting my project done. I want to ease up on the research before I go full throttle into it.

P.S. I got my passport a couple days ago and am ready to go!! I can't believe we're leaving in 44 days. It seems like yesterday I got accepted to go. I still feel like I have absolutely NO idea what I'm doing but excited still. 

Journal Post #14- Reciprocity

In class on Monday we listened to an interesting report on Stephanie Sinclair who had been with a group of FLDS individuals living in a polygamy compound. She reported not on her opinions or views of the FLDS group but more of the events that went on in the compound. At first the group was very apprehensive to letting a photographer into their lives and revealing them with all the current media going on. The group took a bit to warm up to the idea of a photographer following them around and asking questions on every little thing that they did. The group was aware that the world thought they were weird and had many pre-conceived ideas about what went on behind the doors at the polygamy compound. What I really took away from Stephanie Sinclair's report was that she went there not to advocate but to enlighten. Her access was limited but over time she build rapport and trust and access was eventually granted, even into a sacred ordinance such as a funeral. A big factor for Stephanie Sinclair's success was her balanced reciprocity. There are three types of reciprocity; balanced, generalized, and negative. Balanced reciprocity occurs when someone gives to someone else, expecting a fair and tangible return - at a specified amount, time, and place. Generalized reciprocity is the exchange of goods and services without keeping track of their exact value, but often with the expectation that their value will balance out over time. Negative Reciprocity is the exchange of goods and services where each party intends to profit from the exchange, often at the expense of the other. In my own life I already perform each of these three reciprocity levels. Balanced reciprocity occurs in daily life. I pay $5 to Subway and get a meal in return. Generalized reciprocity happens between my friends and I all the time. If someone forgets their wallet or if we go on a friend date and pay for each other, we usually don't remember the exact amount but instead take that person out to replace the money paid on the last outing. The last reciprocity is negative. This is more similar to a bartering system which I am not completely familiar with but understand a little bit about. We barter with our siblings at a young age. We trade one piece of gum for a 20 minutes on your older brother's Nintendo 64. Who is to say that is fair? It is more about how you feel on the trade. The brother looses 20 minutes of playing time but gains gum to chew. The little sister looses her precious Bubbalicious gum but gets to play 20 minutes of mario kart for fun. It isn't equal at all and not even comparable but works for the siblings. There is a lot to learn about reciprocity and its values but through recognizing it in my own life I can see that I use it on a daily basis. Right now I am loosing time with friends but gaining education to help me in life. This is generalized reciprocity. In Ghana I don't know what kind of trades I'll do in the market, with my time, or between my interviewers but if I do research now I can make balanced reciprocities and hopefully not have imbalanced relationships with those I live with or survey. Ashley mentioned that even giving too much could be a problem. You don't want to show up your family but want them to understand your gratitude to them for letting them stay at your house. This is where balanced reciprocity is imperative to use. 

Annotated Source- Water

Water In Africa.

If you aren't aware of Africa's situation with unsanitary water then you need to climb out from under your rock and listen up.

There are tons of different organizations interested in helping Africa with the situation on obtaining clean water. 

http://thewaterproject.org/

http://www.h2oafrica.org/

http://www.wateraidamerica.org/

http://www.faceafrica.org/

Water allows mothers to raise healthy children and allows students to stay in school. More than 40 million hours are spent by women and children collecting water.

The average american family uses 100-175 gallons of water per day

The average African family uses 5.

As I think about my time in Africa I am fortunate to have running water but at the same time I know that my usage is very limited. It will be quite an adventure taking showers over in Ghana but I'm excited to live like a true Ghanaian resident. 

Journal Post #13

The past couple of weeks have gone by in the blink of an eye. I don't know if it's because I'm so busy all the time or if something really did happen to the time.. it was a leap year. In all seriousness, I don't think I've had a more productive/ busier week like this in a while. On Wednesday I got ALL of my shots that came out to a ridiculous grand total. I got Yellow Fever, Hep A, Hep B, Tetanus, Malaria, Typhoid, and Polio. Thankfully the only side affects for me were fever, dizziness, and nauseousness. Oh and I still can hardly move my right arm! The shots kinda bruised me! I still need to go back for a follow up Hep B shot, Doxycycline prescription, and Influenza Vaccine. 

I a so blessed to live in America where these diseases are not evident. It's sad that in Africa many deaths have come about due to these diseases. I can only hope for a day when Africa can become just as developed as other countries in the world. I am amazed at the advancement in medicine that allows me to go to Africa and be almost completely protected from viruses. 

My research project is still why do women choose the medical care for their under five children? From my last couple of annotated sources I wanted to change my project to comparing women's education to the child's survival rate but then I quickly realized that it's already been done and this is research I could do EASILY in a library. Both not good factors to get a project approved… So as I push through with my project I still find myself getting a little hazy on the details. I am meeting tomorrow with my hopefully future mentor and a couple of professors to get course contracts squared away. The Field Study instructors have been so helpful and supportive in helping me figure everything out. I seriously feel like a chicken with it's head cut off just running around trying to figure things out. 

I am excited for Africa and the adventure that it brings on with it. On Wednesday we discussed ethics more specifically in relation to Ghana and Jackie made excellent points that I didn't even think about in the last post. One main issue was poverty. I don't see the extreme poverty in America that I will see in Africa. Seeing extreme poverty will affect me in a way I won't even be able to comprehend until I face it.  I love it when Katie shares her personal experiences in class and what she did in certain situations. 

The next topic we talked about was not being the "white all-knowing researcher". I'll be in a hospital setting around lot's of doctor's and physicians who may assume that just because I am from America I will know how to perform a procedure.