Ministering in Damango
The entire month I spent in Damango is still incredibly special to me.
Upon leaving a couple of the kids were crying. At first I was a bit skeptical-these kids can be very convincing ‘criers’. But I started to see that they (two of the preschoolers I had spent most of time with) were genuinely sad I would no longer be teaching them.
Through my month in Children’s Redemption Centre (orphanage) I worked every morning from about 8 am to noon with the 10-odd pre-school children. They have a Ghanaian teacher was a bit lacking in skills and creativity so it also became my job to equip and encourage her. The amazing thing is God’s timing-how he has planned my entire internship/trip here. Maybe the Budd’s had something to do with it also…
Before I came I had NO skills/training to teach but through the process of working in different orphanages in Ghana God has equipped more and more to the point that, once I got to Damango I actually had something to give and teach ‘my students’.
We focused a lot on learning the alphabet and phonics so they could work towards learning to read. And we had so much fun.
I loved watching them come alive and really begin to learn. Not chant or memorize but really learn. When I left I really believed I had managed to make a difference (even as an ‘untrained’ eighteen-year old!). I’m still buzzing on that.
As well as nursery school in the mornings I would work with the older kids on their homework in the afternoons. Some afternoons we even worked on crafts left over from the African Hope Outreach team in June. The kids loved that! They caught on to the concept of the salvation bracelets really quick (they have great memories!) and once they had them on, never took them off! Some of the other volunteers had just given them all backpacks for school and they loved putting the little fish key rings on their new backpacks!
I visited the local hospital like four times in my last week. First three trips were with kids from the orphanage. It was such an incredible experience. You have to wait forever just to see the doctor but because it was such a cultural experience I was entertained for hours-just watching all the different people. Another lesson in appreciation. You sit there ’suffering’ in the heat but know that you really have NOTHING to moan about as you are surrounded by sick African people who make a mockery of your own suffering. It was insane. I was amazed how chilled I was (I really am becoming Ghanaian) and I’m learning that I can’t do anything more by stressing out. I also got to use a lot of random knowledge about dressings (that I got from my Mum) and look after some gorgeous little African kids that are even tough when they are sick!
On my last night I gave them each a beanie baby (from the collection donated to the Budd’s ministry). That was so cool! They loved them and it was great to see them with something they could have as their own. I got some cool photos of some very happy kids! It was a great time and I am so grateful to God for equipping me and sustaining me through everything. He is incredible!!
Tags: africa, african, African Hope, damongo, ghana, hanna, hospital, intern redemption, orphanage, redemption centre, teach, teaching, west africa
