Kohal!

-
Kohal! Juba üle nädala on möödas sellest ajast kui teele asusin ja viis päeva sellest kui minust sai Kongo küla elanik.

Reis Accrast Kongosse oli meeleolukas- lärmakas, aeglane ja tolmune. Ma hakkasin isegi aru saama, miks vali muusika võib olla piinamisvahendiks...
Samas, kui ma oleksin oma 16 tunnise bussireisi maha maganud, siis ma oleksin jäänud hingematvalt kaunitest looduspiltidest ilma. Äikesetorm, mille sarnast pole ma kunagi näinud- välgulöök iga sekund selgelt taevasse välja joonistunud. Hämmastav!



Esimene nädal on möödunud sisse elades- tutvusin haiglatega ja inimestega. Kõik on väga sõbralikud ja olen end tundnud väga teretulnuna. Esmaspäeval on plaanis tähtis kohtumine piirkonna suure tervishoiu pealikuga- soovib minuga mu plaane arutada ja oma plaane mulle tutvustada. Sel nädalal juba kohtusin mingi "tundub, et on tähtis" mehega, kellele oma plaane presenteerisin ja pika jutu lõpuks palus esmaspäeval ikka veel tähtsamaga rääkida, et tema üksi ei otsusta midagi. Olingi juba unustanud "TIA" ehk  "This is Africa", mis tõi meie kohtumise lõpus mulle muige näole.

Esimese nädala plaanin töötada väiksemas erahaiglas ja sealt edasi järgmise riiklikus. Ehk et esialgne plaan on nädala kaupa vahetada, teha vahele koolitusi nii töötajatele kui ka patsientidele ning nautida kuuma õhku. 



Kohtusin ka Mondo korvipunujatega- väga tublid naised kuldsete kätega. Ritaga läheb Eesti poole teele ca 10 korvi. Hea on teada, et need on korvid on punutud armastusega ja pideva naeru saatel.

Rääkides Ritast, medõest, kes siin on olnud ca 3 kuud ja esmaspäeval tagasi "sombusesse reaalsusse" läheb, siis lippu tuleb tõeliselt kõrgel hoida. Ta on teinud ära suure töö koolides seksuaalkasvatuse ja isikliku hügieenialaseid loenguid pidades ning haiglas tööl käies. Rita on kogukonnas armastatud ja austatud ehk et latt on kõrgel!

Harmattan on põhimõtteliselt läbi ja ilm hakkab tõeliselt kuumaks minema. Eile sõitsime terve päeva mootorratastega ringi- tutvusime lähedal asuvate Tongo mägede, pühamute ja pealikuga. Imekaunis loodus taaskord- kuivanud küll praegu, aga siiski ilus. Pealik ise meenutas mulle Johnny Deppi mingist filmist, (kus ta jalutas sisaliku saba ja roosade prillidega ringi mingis hotellitoas ). Ja kuna pealikul on 20 naist, siis teadis ta naisteasju nii hästi, et põhimõttelist ütles, et ma ikkagi tunduvat rase ("not show yet" viisaka mehena parandas end) ning minu lapsed võivad olla järgmised presidendid. Sai hästi selgeks, et Eesti talvekilod peavad kaduma!

Ühesõnaga, ma olen kohal! Päikesepõlenud ja rõõmus! Hakkamist täis!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Greetings from sunny Ghana!

-
Image
Coming to Ghana has been on my mind for a long time. Interesting culture and beautiful traditions, scenic nature, friendly people and tasty local cuisine were some of the things that would pop up on Google every time I was researching the country. When an Estonian NGO called Mondo provided me with an opportunity to come to Ghana as a climate change advisor volunteer for Kongo Community Development Association (KOCDA) under the European Solidarity Corps program, I was so incredibly excited and began reading about the country even more. I wanted to be prepared for every possible situation so that I would know what to say and how to react and would not offend anyone or get overwhelmed after seeing something that may not be so common in my home country. Mondo had also arranged trainings about the country and it's culture and advised of the things that should and should not be done in the country, so I felt absolutely prepared for this exciting adventure. However even after preparing so...
Read more

Finding my way in a new country

-
Image
During my first meeting with the board of my host organization, CoDA, someone asked about my experiences so far and whether my expectations were being met. From previous experiences, I have learned that it is best to approach projects like this with minimal expectations. Despite this, I can only say that the first month has exceeded my imagination. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, making me feel at home in a new country almost immediately. The first month was all about adaptation and observation for me. I had to adjust to a new culture, new foods, and lots of new people. We also delved into the local culture and history, emphasizing the importance of introductions. Consequently, we spent the first two weeks traveling around Kongo and its surrounding areas, meeting key figures in the community.  Engaging in conversations with everyone I meet is something my Dutch self is not used to. At first, I struggled with the language, not only Nabt but also English. However, like everyt...
Read more

Until we meet again, Kongo

-
Image
I cannot believe I am saying this, but my time in Kongo village and Ghana in general is almost over. When I first came here, I thought 3 months and a half was plenty of time, but I could not have been more wrong. These months have passed by so quickly that it feels like I came here a week ago. I guess this just proves how amazing my life has been here, because time flies by so quickly when you are engaged in activities that are interesting and fun for you. And as much as I miss my country and my loved ones, I would love to stay in the village longer. I want to start my final blog by saying a huge thanks to a Kongo based NGO CoDA, that has been hosting me all this time. Their dedication to make me feel great in this village was incredible. Since the day I arrived in the village they treated me like a family member and helped me in every step of the way. Taking me around for sightseeing, teaching me the local language, cooking me delicious vegetarian meals, greeting me with a smile eve...
Read more