This was my first week in the field working with Agricultural Extension Officers in the peri-urban area around Bolgatanga. It was a really rich few days and my guides did a good job of introducing me around to their contacts in the communities. As always, my presence leaves a big impression, but I try and make my visits to the field more that just a passing meeting by using the local greetings that I know and participating in as many activities as I can.
witness me hoeing… I didn’t do quite as well as the 8 year old boy who lent be
his hoe to give it a try. The farmer whose field I worked in for a few minutes wasn’t expecting it…
that’s for sure. 
THey soon joined in the spirit and did their best to educate me.
Last week I was sitting with an AEA under a tree to escape the heat of the day after a morning farmer’s meeting, when I heard a regular ‘ping, ping, ping’ noise coming from somewhere closeby. I asked my counterpart about it and he asked if I wanted to visit the blacksmiths. We walked around a few homes to find a small building. One man sat working the bellows, two half buried clay ‘pots’ (with vents to a nearby red/white fire) covered in canvas sacs that he pumped furiously and the fire responded. The older man on the left worked a lump of metal into the rough shape of a hoe blade with the help of the man at the bellows. THey struck the red hot metal alternately (as you see here) The men were shy and busy, so we didn’t stay much longer than to explain who we were and ask if a few pictures would be ok. The blacksmith will sell each blade for 5000 cedis, which is less than one Canadian dollar. The AEA said that he belongs to a blacksmith’s association who regulate his rate of pay and have some control over the prices that he charges. I need to confirm the details, but I can say that the men were working extrodinarily hard in the heat of the day, and that there is a social network within their trade that I would like to learn more about.
It was very exciting to recieve news that my MP, Mr. Andrew Telegedi, mentioned me in a recent publication that he sent to his constituents. I had the opportunity to meet him before departing for Ghana and was very impressed by this generous demonstration of support for my work with EWB.
Reports have been intercepted that the final line is “The world needs more people like Sarah Lewis”. Many of those who are reading these posts enjoy teasing me about these type of statements… and so I thought I would share that for your amusement.
Regarding a previous post about school attendance and dowry practices… I don’t think that dowry necessarily devalues women. I’m not sure that was clear. The reason I presented the story as I heard it was that I found the storekeeper’s view to be an interesting perspective and I didn’t want to pass a lot of judgements on it in the post.
Dowry is described here as a traditional practice that cuts across religious lines (both Muslims and CHristians practice the giving of cattle to a woman’s family when she marries) but the specific practices changes among different ethnic groups. I don’t think that the existance of the practice means that wqomen are equated with cattle, or with goods… or that this is actually why fewer girls complete school than boys… I will have to further investigate now that people seem interested.
If you have more questions – please just let me know ! I enjoy your comments and emails very much.
3 Comments
April 1, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Hey Sarah!
Great to hear from you as usual
I remember my first time with a hoe and cutlass, and the blisters that pained me for about a week afterwards! Farming is tough work, especially now, when it must be still very dry and hot in the Upper East! I was lucky, the days had cooled to about 30 or so before I ever had much physical labour to do.
I’m also interested to hear how the social network of the blacksmiths works… sounds like it could be pretty interesting. Keep us posted!
We’re missing you lots as we start planning for the summer term, getting geared up for another exciting, Canada Day, haha. Oh boy, interesting memories.
Have a good one, and thanks for another great post!
Ben
April 1, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Hey Sarah!
Thanks for taking the time to make all the wonderful posts! The comments and pictures are doing a great job of helping me to put off studying for finals
You mentioned that you are trying to practice more of the local greetings by this point – out of curiosity, how have the linguistic challenges been for you so far? Have you found it has been much easier in English speaking Ghana than in French speaking Cameroon?
Thanks again for the great posts, and I’d say I would have to agree with Mr. Telegdi – the world would be a lot better off with more awesome people like you!
all the best,
Ryan
April 2, 2007 at 9:01 pm
hey sarah! great to hear more news from you. so many posts – wahoooo!!!
your dad forwarded andrew telegdi’s newsletter to everyone at the national office – needless to say, they’re all very proud of you (myself included) and the teasing was minimal!
also, i dropped your garbage bag of stuff at your parents house this weekend. i hope they got it!
so sounds like you are settling in really well and out in the field already – oh boy! you look beautiful in your ghanaian clothing
i’d like to hear more about your work. are there any other EWB volunteers you’re working with? (aka Luke) you are both working with MoFA, so what’s the difference between your positions and how do you interact? are you building on his work, or at least EWB’s reputation? (undoubtedly you are, but to what degree?) have you had any major challenges at work so far?
i know, i have so many questions. but mainly i just want to say hi, i’m listening and i love you!
-erin