I’m here in Bawku, the upper east corner of ghana, visiting short term volunteer, Ryan Case, a University of Waterloo student who is working with me for four months. We have been busy so far, meeting his host family (a compound house with a total of 27 residents and four women… it’s complicated.
It’s been really inspiring to hang with Ryan, who is a complete trooper, through thick and thin. He is working on an analysis of the extension techniques used to promote guinea fowl production and assisting me in running a pilot program on Farming as a Business in his district.
Last week we launched the program in Talensi-Nabdam District. The AEA’s (field staff) seem eager to develop the business thinking of their farmer groups. I am working closely with two staff who will be participating in data analysis, program development and implementation. There will be two parts to the program, basic profitability analysis of the group activities, record keeping, and what marketing opportunities exist for the group’s initiatives.
More news to come as the program moves along. The next hurdle is seeing how many farmer groups apply for the three month course.
No farmer group pictures yet, but here are some for my mom and dad… We climbed the hills around Tongo last weekend and snapped some pics:
the climb
the view
2 Comments
June 10, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Hi Sarah, your blog is a great source of information, as well as insightful thoughts and wonderful photos. Glad you got up to see Ryan, I know he appreciated the visit too. I look forward to following how your pilot project unfolds. Good luck!!
best of health to you,
julie
June 27, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Thank you Julie!
I feel very lucky to have Ryan working with me. Thank you for staying in contact – feel free to call me if you ever want to chat! (+233 0249251246)
It is excellent to hear from you.
Sarah