Wednesday, May 30, 2012

"Rural School..."

Last Saturday, the five of us went to the rural school by Fred's farm for a "cultural exchange".  The thought of the day was to have the school share West African culture and for Joshua to share Western culture with a question and answer time to follow.  It was an incredible day...

 Anna, Fred, Deb, Mike, and Joshua
 The students moved all their desks outside the classrooms into a circle where we could share.
 The Principal welcomed us to the mornings events.
 A group of young girls shared with us several traditional dances.
 Then three young boys shared with us some "modern" dances.
 With the aid of pictures, Joshua shared about life in a western culture.
 Above and below, the students shared a skit titled "Skipping School".  Where a boy skipped school and then failed his exams...

 It struck me how students are the same everywhere...doodling on the desks...
 Fred then talked about the importance of malaria prevention.  Malaria is one of the top causes of death in West Africa.
 A time for questions.  Some of the kids had incredible and thought provoking questions-"Why do people in the west live longer than Africans? or Why do all the good ideas come from the west?"
 Later we handed out bags of chips and candy to the students.
 A picture with all the dedicated teachers.
The kids waving good-bye.

Monday, May 28, 2012

"Mom's Day Out..."

A few Saturday's ago, nine mom's got together and we to the local Artisan Market to learn how to make an African Batik.  It was quite the day!  
 The first step was to choose a design and then place a piece of white cotton on top of the design.
 Then trace the design onto the fabric with a dark pencil.  The more creative/artistic moms drew their own pictures...
There are two kinds of wax used to make the batik.  The wax used to outline the picture, which is being demonstrated above, is a bees wax.  The wax to keep the areas white is candle wax.

 Then the fun job, painting the pictures with a water based dye.
After all the painting is done, another coat of wax is painted on top of the batik to protect the picture from the final dye process.
 The picture is then dipped into a tub of dye to cover all the remaining white area and crackle the white area.
 To take off all the wax, the batik then needs to be rinsed in gasoline and hung in the sun to dry.
The group of moms who had a great time!!!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

"Last Day Of School..."

 The last day of school is always a special occasion for the students.   Not only because school is out for the summer, but it is a time of celebration of accomplishments but of character traits that have been developing in the students all year.  The teachers present one character trait and verse to each student that they have seen develpoing all year.

 Miss Nikki welcomes parents and crew to the celebration.
 The students processional into the International Lounge.

 Joshua's class.
 Joshua the encourager.
 Alisia's class.
 Alisia and Mrs. Michelle-Alisia the sincere.
 Presenting the 12th Grade Class of 2013.
AMEN!!!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

"Sleeping and Sitting..."


I always find it interesting where I see people sitting and sleeping...need I say more?

Thanks Hannah for the picutre.


Saturday, May 19, 2012

"HVS-2 Swift..."

On Saturday night we had a special overnight guest at the berth behind our ship.  The United States Navy's HSV-2 Swift.  This impressive vessel looks like something out of a James Bond movie.  The crew watched with anticipation as the Swift pulled into the berth behind the Africa Mercy.

"The HSV-2 (High Speed Vessel) Swift is a high-speed, wave-piercing catamaran. Built by Incat at their Hobart, Tasmania facility as a car ferry, the Swift is a civilian commercial vessel currently under lease to the US Navy as an interim Mine Warfare Command and Support Ship (MCS) to replace the USS Inchon (MCS-8) which was decommissioned in 2002, and Navy/Marine Corps experimentation vessel. The Swift's primary function is service as a technology test-bed and capabilities demonstrator; its high speed, shallow draft, mission flexibility and modularity, and hull design offer the Navy an opportunity to see, first hand, what effect emergent technologies will have on future ship design and development...
The HSV-2 Swift is 321 feet long, has a beam of 89 feet, and draws 11 feet of water.  The Swift displaces 1,668 tons at full load.  Her normal compliment is 42 though she has berthing available for 107, with the capability to accommodate an additional 87 by converting conventional seating.  The Swift has a top speed of 45 knots, and a cruising speed of 30 knots.  The Swift has a range of 4,500 miles at cruising speed." http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/127898/hsv-2-swift.html

Thursday, May 17, 2012

"Edouard Eyessi..."

Since birth, Edouard Eyessi suffered from a troubling hernia condition. Any kind of exertion, even speaking loudly, caused sharp pain. The swelling, which increased as Edouard grew older, was extremely uncomfortable. Most worrying of all, was the concern that Edouard would not be able to father children when the time came for him to marry.

Doctors told Edouard’s parents that nothing could be done for their child until he was six years old. “Waiting all of that time while watching how difficult it was for Edouard to play like the other boys his age was so difficult,” his mother, Eugenie, explains.
When Edouard’s parents brought him back to the hospital just after his sixth birthday, the doctors shared a distressing prognosis. Given what they knew, the only operation they could perform on Edouard would likely take away his ability to father children. Eugenie and Edouard’s father, Athanaz, made an immediate, but heart-breaking, decision. They would help Edouard manage his condition rather than risk robbing him of his ability to have a family of his own.

During his boyhood years, Edouard greatly missed playing football or any of the physical games so popular with his friends. Also, he wasn’t able to help out much around home. He could not carry anything heavy, and frequently pain and swelling kept him off of his feet.

On his good days, Edouard helped others in a very special way. Eugenie’s pride for her son’s talent bursts forth as she says, “Our Edouard has an amazing healing touch. One of our elders had a leg that ached ferociously for a long time. No one could help ease the throbbing at all. Then Edouard tried. He used his hands to massage her muscles and joints. Right away the pain left her leg.”

Edouard continued to provide his massage therapy to family and friends – including his father, who works very long hours as the Headmaster of the Lomé Public School. “All day and on most evenings, I am involved in meetings. There are many problems I need to help solve, and, of course, the tension builds up in all of my muscles. Edouard is wonderfully gifted in helping my muscles to relax and removing the knots in my neck and shoulders with this knowing hands,” his father explains.

Players on the local football team have also called upon Edouard’s physical therapy talents. Mr. Wilson Adjei, one of Edouard’s teachers and a football player himself, made arrangements for Edouard to volunteer his services. “Even though Edouard has no formal training, he has an awesome natural ability. Our team members are much stronger and more pain-free thanks to Edouard’s manipulations and massage therapies,” he remarks.

At age sixteen, Edouard Eyessi, while practicing his massage technique in front of the family television, heard an announcement about Mercy Ships coming to Togo to provide free medical care. Edouard’s family immediately agreed that he must go the patient screening. Edouard describes his first never-to-be-forgotten day with Mercy Ships: “Mr. Adjei accompanied me to Kegue Stadium, and we arrived at 4:00 a.m. By the end of the morning, I had been accepted for a second examination at the hospital ship itself. I did not sleep at all that night as I kept praying that my healing had been found.”
Edouard’s prayers were indeed answered. Within weeks, Edouard was onboard the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest nongovernmental hospital ship, having his free, life-changing hernia operation.

Edouard’s surgeon was Dr. Nabil Gayed, a general surgeon from the United States. Dr. Nabil, a first-time Mercy Ships volunteer, was delighted with the outcome of Edouard’s surgery. “In the developed world, hernias at birth are dealt with swiftly before they become a problem. I would never see a hernia more than five centimeters. Here, with no access to surgical treatment, hernias grow to the size of footballs. This is a serious stand-alone medical issue. So many boys and men are broken by painful and swollen hernias. They suffer major bowel and reproductive problems that devastate their already challenged work and social lives. I am blessed to help change that picture, especially for a young man like Edouard with his entire future ahead of him,” comments Dr. Nabil.

Before his full discharge from Dr. Nabil’s excellent care, Edouard received a special bonus. Chris Webb, a kinesiology specialist, spoke at length with Edouard about his own career path, answering many questions. Chris encouraged Edouard to work hard to complete his studies and get good grades, now that he is physically restored. Joanne Gates, a Mercy Ships physiotherapist, then walked Edouard through two actual examinations she was conducting. Edouard was rapt with attention. “This is the field I want to work in. To be able to see the work of such an expert is so thrilling! This is the second Mercy Ships day I will always remember,” declares Edouard.
When Edouard returned home to complete his recovery, the Eyessi household was beyond words. Eugenie describes the reaction of her husband in a voice trembling with joy: “Athanaz wept at the sight of our Edouard, who was now free of the terrible pain and limitations of the hernia that had plagued him for so many years. We thought we must be dreaming – but, thanks to Mercy Ships, we were having a dream come true.”

Written by Joanne Thibault
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photographs by Debra Bell

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

"Plugs..."

On the Africa Mercy we have British plugs.  However, when you live in a multi-national culture...people come with US plugs and European plugs. 

Thanks Reka and  Darren for the photo

So what is the solution?

Adapters...this type of adapter becomes a person's best friend! 


Sunday, May 13, 2012

"Through the Eyes of Youth..."


I love the way Carys (one of Alisia's friends) wrote about Africa...
Africa is my home. She is the sun-scorched deserts and the dripping rain forests, the mighty lion pouncing upon the zebra, the tribes that walk upon her rich, red soil, the palm trees growing strong and tall. The crowded, busy market places, where everything from oranges and mangos to jeans and microwaves are sold. This is Africa. Africa is the people sitting around the fire as the darkness of night closes in, She is the breaking of bones as the women carry their heavy loads high upon their heads, but not of spirit even though death steals so many. Africa is the bright colors and fabrics that blanket the land, she is the laughter of the scantily clothed children as they splash in the waves, She is family, and tradition, and a place of beauty, She is home. This is my Africa.

After years of living here, I have come to look past the poverty and corruption to see the beauty of this cultural land. Africa has forever left her mark on my heart.

Friday, May 11, 2012

"New Heights..."

It is official...Joshua is now taller than Mike...

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

"Dental Update..."

At the beginning of May, the dental program celebrated their 3000 patient! 
Well done dental team!!!!

Monday, May 7, 2012

"Creative Arts Evening..."

The Academy every year puts on a Creative Arts Evening.  It is an opportunity for all students to showcase all their amazing artistic talents.  The Arts are not limited to just Art class...teachers are encouraged to incorporate the Arts into every day subjects.
                                         

 Elementary students playing the hand chimes.
 Junior High Students (Joshua) playing the hand chimes.
 A creative interpretation of the Prodigal Son-Bible Class
 Elementary choir.
Sumi-e Art (Japanese Art)
 Student Life Program
 Yarn Art
 Junior/Senior high Djembes (below)

 Life Cycle of a rose-Science
 Where do I live?  Memory based
 True Confessions Charlotte Doyle-English
Batik making-Made by the Junior and Senior High.