9. Abetenim Arts Village

We made it to Abetenim! It took us about a half a day to get from Accra to our home base. The six of us and our 11 bags travelled by Tro Tro, then a Coach bus, then local taxis.

Upon arriving in Abetenim we were greeted kindly by everyone we encountered. As the ground crew of the team, we met the chief of the village and learned more about the local culture. Once meting the chief, you are accepted as part of the community and can occupy the village as you please. The main village is made up of small pockets of homes all focused around outdoor space. The enclosed areas are reserved for sleeping. When walking around you will see families outside cooking, washing clothes, playing, talking, or resting.   The arts village is where we live and are building our project.  This satellite of Abetenim

is a 5 minute walk down the main road. 

Some things to get used to around here are rolling blackouts and limited water supply. The electricity will go out a few times a week and the water wells are filled with rain. In the near future, when more volunteers arrive in the compound, our running water supply will deplete even quicker. We will have to prepare buckets of water to use for washing. Drinking water is not an issue. The water comes in 1/3 liter plastic bags and are made available to us anytime we need it. We can buy water for a very inexpensive price to supplement our provided water and to give to the local workers on our construction site. 

Tro tro- a small mini bus with 3 rows of seats behind the driver and a sliding door. The driver navigates while his partner hangs out the side of the car calling for last available seat, or the vehicle's destination and collects the money. Ghanaian Cedi- the currency of Ghana (pronounced seedy) ; most typical are 10, 5 and 1 bills and coins called pesewas We use our cedis for small personal things from the local villages and for our food, drinks, and accommodations at the arts village Accommodations in the village vary. Most volunteers live in buildings that are enclosed, have contemporary bathroom fixtures and running water. We were all prepared to be staying in much more primitive conditions. So, we are very pleased with the house we were assigned. The six of us share a four bedroom house with two bath rooms and a common room.

Included in our food payment is three meals a day and as much water as we need or like. I have been enjoying the food very much as most of it is vegetarian. The cook will prepare a vegetarian version of any meat meal she makes usually substituting the meat with an egg. Stay tuned for a post all about food!  

I have so much more if like to share, but this is it for now.