Every Friday morning, I go to the New Horizon School for the Handicapped and teach music. My friend, Mary Richards got me involved soon after we arrived here last year. Mary is a professional musician and she had been going to the school before I arrived. When she told me about the school and that she went there and taught a little music each week, it seemed like a perfect fit for me to join her. Mary has now left and returned to the US, but I am continuing to volunteer there every week. It is a very humbling place to go. The children and adults that attend the school have many different types of handicaps. I was concerned that it would be very difficult to see the condition of the students. It can be sad, but now all I see are very sweet, special children, who love freely and enjoy singing, clapping and moving to the music. I receive such a warm welcome every time I enter the building. I get lots of hugs and high fives every week. The teachers and staff are very dedicated and do so much to help their students. They are so happy to have us/me come. In my book, they are the heroes, who work with the students day in and day out, under very poor working conditions. The first time I went, I was shocked by the poor, run-down condition of the facility. It would probably be condemned in the US.
Before Mary left, a concert was held to raise money for the school. The lady who started the school 30 years ago has a son who is a concert pianist. His name is George Francois and he studied at the Juliard School of Music in NY. He lives in the US and performs extensively. He came and gave 2 concerts. He is a superb musician. During one of the programs, Mary Richards (flute) and Cecilia Wiggers (cello) the High Commissioner at the Netherlands Embassy, joined him. It was a lovely, cultural evening of beautiful music.
Cecilia Wiggers, George Francois and Mary Richards
George Francois
Vanessa, the Principal of the New Horizon School and Mrs. Francois, founder of the school.
Two views of the New Horizon School where I teach music every Friday morning.
This is Helen Francois, the sister of George and daughter of the founder of the New Horizon School. This is at the concert where George performed. She is a student at the New Horizon School. She is legally blind, in a wheelchair and has other health problems as well. But she is the sweetest and friendliest person in the world and she LOVES to sing! She calls me Auntie Linda. I get a warm greeting from her every week when I go to the school. I love Helen!
The following are random, miscellaneous pictures.
This is Faustina Badazabra. This is where she lives. It is a one-room 12x12 living space with a mattress on the floor, a small table holding a few items, a shelf that holds some things, and baskets where she keeps her clothes. There is one light bulb hanging from the ceiling. She has a little screened-in porch where she does her cooking and keeps her dishes. She has a small refrigerator and large container that holds water that she has to "fetch" from a communal spigot. She also shares a communal bathroom.
She has become our "adopted Ghanian daughter." She cleans for us each week, but she comes to our apartment almost every day. Even when we are not there she hangs out and reads and reviews the material I have gone over with her. Since last November I have been teaching her English, reading and the Gospel. We have read through most of the "Preach My Gospel" book and the "Book of Mormon Stories" book. She grew up being taught the Bible by her family, so we discuss that as well. I read with her and explain what words mean and how to pronounce them. She joined the Church almost 2 years ago. At that time she could only speak a few english words. She grew up in a little village in the northern part of Ghana and each village has it's own tribal language. She never went to school until the age of 11. She only went for 3 years and she says that many days the teachers never showed up and when they did, they didn't teach much; just let them play. She is very intelligent and has a great desire to learn. She is also the sweetest, happiest, most honest and kind person in the world. We love her!
Can you believe how much weight Faustina can carry on her head? She wouldn't let Chris carry the water. She always insists on carrying our grocery bags, my book bag and my purse. That's my purse over her shoulder.
Here she is helping us move a few things from our apartment.
Doesn't Faustina look lovely in her African print dress?
Here she is again in a lovely dress.
These are Faustina's little neighbor girls.
Some of our Senior Missionaries at an outdoor arts and crafts fair.
These two pictures are during one of our Family Home evening gatherings at our temple President's apartment.
Listening to a presentation by President and Sister Assard, counselor in the Temple Presidency.
How can you resist the cute little babies?
This is Chris with Erasmus Thompson, his friend that he met at the driving range. Erasmus thinks of Chris as his mentor. He calls and texts Chris regularly to check on him. He is a very nice young man.
I recently had the opportunity to meet these two guys that have become friends with Chris at the driving range. "Coach" Kudjo (striped shirt) is a golf teacher who hangs around the golf course helping anyone wanting a few pointers. The other young man is Erasmus Thompson,
My new look!! This is at Antionette's Beauty Shop, where most of the Senior Missionaries get their hair cut. She insisted that I try on one of her wigs and Chris insisted that I put it on our blog!
Directing the music with the baby on her back.
Reading with students at the Nungua Library.
Bernice Ankrah and her daughter Eva displaying her wares at an arts and crafts festival. She makes beautiful bags, aprons, table runners, clothing and etc. Bernice has made some clothes for me. We have become very dear friends.
Mahana works at our office. She is so friendly and has a beautiful smile. We ended up attending her ward (church congregation) one Sunday, where she serves as the Primary President. This is her little boy, Terence.
Mavis works at the Nungua Library, where I volunteer every Tuesday. This is her cute little girl, Essie, who is enjoying a nap while I read with Mavis.
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