Sports Fans

Wow I can’t believe its almost been two months already. Depending on the day and how I’m feeling, the thought of coming home, either fills me with joy and anticipation, or over whelming sadness and heartbreak. Africa has drained my mind, body, and soul. But when ever I spend time with my students I know I can get though anything. The other volunteers and I joke about kidnapping all our kids and taking them home with us. Hehehe. Lucky for us this last week was their sports week. Like everything in Ghana, it was completely random and we had no idea it was planned. It was like the mini Olympics for all the schools in Kibi. I wanted to be there for all my kids events. They don't have their parents there to cheer them on and give them hugs whether they win or lose, like some of the other schools. So we did it for them. The main field is right next to our school so everyday it was packed with students, teachers, parents, and food vendors. Every where I went I was stared at, and people (adults included) would come up and touch my skin or hair. I felt like a goat at a petting zoo. There was also a DJ there with a huge computer and speakers. I got a headache almost everyday, cause that’s where our students liked to hang out. The bass was so strong they could feel it and we even had a dance party. It was such a blast. Anyway everyday was filled with different events. And our kids shined in every one! Because I spent most of my time at the school, I had never really seen how other hearing Ghanaians treated deaf people, until now. I was absolutely appalled. Kids and adults imitated the noises and movements of the deaf students. Rude comments and dirty looks followed them where ever they went and a few of the volunteers, myself included had a few harsh words with a group of men that were picking on and pushing our kids for no reason right in front of us. Around 8 other schools participated in the sports week. And in every event the deaf played last. Events started around 7:30 in the morning and our kids had to sit and watch the other schools compete till 2 or 3 in the afternoon when it was their turn. Other schools took turns when they would play, but no matter what our students were last. It only made it that much sweeter when our kids came out on top of almost every event. Other schools even attempted to cheat. After our older boys volleyball team dominated, we found out the other team had boys from the high school playing, when it was jr high only. I watched as our net ball girls team, ran circles around the other teams as they scored again and again. And best of all our boys’ soccer team, with no professional training or soccer cleats (3 or 4 of them couldn’t afford them and were bare foot), won the cup! I have never yelled so much in my life. I yelled words of encouragement to our players (even though they’re deaf and couldn’t hear me), angry words at the referees when our boys kept getting tackled and they never called a foul, that is unless one of our boys touched the other team. I screamed in victory when Addo (our goalie) caught the ball in the air before it went into the net and we won. I jumped up and down with all our students and ran to the school to celebrate. I got water dumped on me by one of the players and I hugged every sweaty boy on the team. I know it sounds cheesy but I felt like such a proud parent.

I can’t believe I have to leave them, but I do find comfort in knowing Heavenly Father is mindful of them and their needs. I love them so much and I am going to have to get to know the next group of volunteers that come to teach. I want to know how my kids are doing. Hehehe I am so thankful for all the people that helped me get here. My life has changed because of you! Thank you so much! And I will talk to you all soon!