Kintampo Falls! :)

Today we went to Kintampo Waterfalls (which was great cause apparently it was FORTY SIX degrees today!). It was a 2 hour drive from here but was so worth it! We splurged a little and rented an SUV/driver for the day to take us there, wait for us, and then bring us back. It worked out well and was a much better experience than some of the other ancient minivans that we've crammed 10+ people into :)

I can't upload photos tonight because the computers at this internet cafe don't allow for memory sticks/flash drives but here is a shot from google of what the falls look like on a calm day - click here. And this is what the falls looked like today - click here.

As soon as we got there we were bombarded by kids asking us to get pictures with them in the water. I think there was a school group and church group there and they had photographers and I'm pretty sure they took 20+ pictures of me with random kids. It's a little crazy when you can't get away from it. They would call us 'white-lady' or would just grab our arm, pose, and point at the camera that was taking the shot - it's probably similar to how the paparazzi make celebrities feel! Eventually I just started saying no. We are just people!

We were able to climb up all the rocks, and end up completely under the waterfalls. So fun! So slippery, so much algae, and so many falling kids everywhere. I'm pretty sure in Canada you'd have to have to sign a waiver to go there...it wasn't very safe but was SO fun.

Tomorrow my mini group of four (Erin, Shawna, Jaimee, and I) are heading to Gushegu which is a small town northeast from Tamale (where I am now). Gushegu can't be found on most maps but I think that on this one it is labelled as Gushiago - click here.

Gushegu has a new hospital which was built about two years ago. We will be working there as well as in the health centers and clinics. Based on a short experience that I had working at one of the rural clinics on the outskirts of Tamale, I think I will like the health center/clinics more than the hospital. To me, the Tamale hospital was quite overwhelming and was very, very, difficult to make any sort of change. I'm hoping it might be easier in the health clinics where the management/tradition/hospital history might not be as overpowering...? I'm not sure though, only time will tell :)

We will be in Gushegu until next week Wednesday at which point we'll head back to Tamale for four days, and then we're heading to Cape Coast for a five day vacation on the beach :) It'll be lovely!

Oh just quickly, some readers were wondering about how prepared we were for this trip and thought that maybe the discouragement from being in the hospital could have been helped with more trip preparation. To be honest, I don't think so. We all know the stats on mortality rates, illiteracy rates, maternal death, people who have access to clean drinking water, etc. But honestly, you can read them over, and look at as many pictures as you want, but you will never be prepared to see a newborn babe die infront of you, you will never be prepared to see the status of the hospital, and the incredible sickness that goes on here. Part of the problem too is that because health care is not free and people here know that patients do not get treated well in the hospital, the patients will wait way too long to come in for help. And by the time they do come in, the issues are so extensive and so severe that they cannot afford the necessary medical procedures and medications (that is, if the hospital even has access to them). Just thought maybe I'd mention that...

Time to head home! Apparently our instructor made us some bread, and I should probably start packing everything up so we can get out of here on time tomorrow (even though the bus will likely leave an hour or two late from the depot...this is Africa!).

Have a happy weekend, everyone!