THANK YOU!

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported me!! And I am excited to share that I have raised my $3000!!!!!

This could not be possible without the following amazing people/organizations:

• Mom and Dad
• Merv, Carley and Amy Rogers
• Baba and Grandma
• Yiayia
• Aunt Penny and Uncle Nick
• Aunt Mary and Uncle Paul
  
• Gail Rock
• Donna Longmoore
  
• Gail Campbell
• Lee Del Zotto
• Paul Keeling
  
• Jill and Lee Fishleigh
• David Ippolito
  
• My Lafontaine Parents
• Jen Bottrill
• Kim and Karl Koehn
  
• The Alumni Association
• University of Windsor Student Alliance
  
• School of Dramatic Art
  
• Global Resource Centre
• OPIRG

I really cannot thank you all enough for supporting me in this once in a lifetime opportunity! With all my heart and love, thank you!

Now.. what are the Millennium Development Goals, you ask?
While overseas, I will work in collaboration with Ghanaian counterparts within local organizations involved in primary education for all in hopes of achieving Millennium Development Goal #2: Universal Primary Education by 2015. As a student in Drama in Education and Community, I am eager and excited to put my education to use and further explore the complexities of education in a developing nation while staying with a host family to truly experience Ghanaian culture! Living with a family I'm sure will be where most of my learning takes place; observing their family dynamics, their daily routines, food, lifestyle, living conditions, culture! I cannot wait!

In September 2000, 191 nations collaborated, agreeing that there were major international development and human rights problems that could no longer be ignored, and agreed to the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which lead to 8 goals which are to be achieved by 2015 (however, we are not on pace to meet the goals).
The eight goals are as follows:

1. Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
2. Achieve Universal Primary Education
   
3. Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
   
4. Reduce Child Mortality
   
5. Improve Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other Diseases
7. Ensure Environmental Sustainability
   
8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development

As you can see, they are all-encompassing goals that tackle the massive issues of poverty, environmental degradation, health, and inequalities; however, we are half way to 2015 but not half way to achieving these measurable, realistic, NECESSARY goals. For more detailed information on the progress towards the goals I encourage you to visit http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/index.html and http://www.undp.org/mdg/tracking_countryreports2.shtml.

In my next post I will go in depth on progress towards MDG 2, and discuss Educational Challenges in Ghana specifically!

Thanks so much for reading and thank you to everyone for their kindness and support!

Sincerely and with love,

Robin

6. More information= more smiles and excitement!!

I just received an email from Emily, and as always, I'm left re-energized and [nearly] as excited as I was the day I found out I was going to Ghana!!

I don't have time to write now, very behind in school and life, but I'll share a few links with you!!

This is a link to Unicef regarding Millennium Development Goal #2 Achieving Universal Primary Education by 2015 http://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/PDFs/Achieving_Universal_Primary
_Education_in_Ghana_by_2015.pdf
And it just dawned on me that I should explain the MDG's as many may not be aware of them.. look forward for that in another post!! :)

This is the Uniterra website and in some time it will be updated with information on the 2008 participants (including moi!). http://www.uniterra.org/uniterra/en/campus/learn_overseas/
upcoming_seminar.html

Lastly, this is a small page on Uniterra's work with Education in Ghana: http://www.uniterra.org/uniterra/en/our_actions/countries/ghana/
for_basic_education_in_ghana.html, explaining briefly the focus on increasing and retaining the number of girls in school, and promoting gender equality.

Hopefully these websites provide you with some more info, should you be curious!!
And I hope they provide you with ways to further learn about the complexities of Education in Ghana!

Thanks a tonne for reading,
Love Robin

5. To eat meat, or not to eat meat. That is the question.

Many of you who know me, know that I'm a vegetarian.. probably for about six years now I have been, and it's kinda part of my identity and something I believe in.

However, when in Ghana, I've heard, that it might be culturally insensitive for me to turn down meat offered by my host family, or that meat might be in stews etc that I will be eating.
I will already have so many cultural barriers to hurdle when I arrive in Ghana, and I feel that adding an additional barrier by trying to explain that some crazy Canadians choose not to eat meat will be just adding additional stress.

So I have started to integrate meat into my diet, so I don't have some crazy digestive problems from eating meat in Ghana. I've eaten meat gravy, I eat fish and shrimp, and, wait for it.. this is the big one.. the other night Peter and I went out for dinner and after a long discussion on eating meat or not, Peter handed me his fork with a piece of chicken on it!
And after much hesitation and many attempts to bring the fork to my lips, I ate it!

And guess what- it tastes exactly how I remember it!!! Weird!

So I took the first plunge.. but it's very odd because I still consider myself a vegetarian and can't imagine myself ordering meat at a restaurant for myself... I am still contemplating the realistic-ness of this all, because some have told me that I could get by without eating meat in Ghana..

So what do you think..??
I will continue asking my friends and colleagues who have been overseas, and I fear the MASSIVE PLUNGE of eating red meat.. .. but for now.. the question remains..

Should I eat meat or not????

4. Reflections on the New Year

It is now 2008. Pretty crazy, eh?
2007 was an amazing year for me, in more ways than one. I feel that of all my 21 years, 2007 was the best for my personal development as a person, as a leader, finding my passions, finding great friendships... everything.
It's hard to imagine a year beating 2007 but if any year could do it, it'd be the year I'm in Ghana, I imagine!
I don't believe in luck, but so many things really fell into place this past year and so many opportunities presented themselves to me that I'm very grateful for and appreciative of.
I'm really excited because Ashley, EWB's JF (who goes overseas for 4months this summer) is being placed in Ghana as well!! So I hope to be able to meet up with her when I'm in Ghana, what a trip that will be! My fellow DREDer (our undergrad program).

Unfortunately I still haven't received my WUSC package in the mail yet, but I will tell you some more about the seminar.
End of June I go to Ottawa for a week of training with the other Canadian Students, then we're off to Ghana until August 8th! In terms of funding, WUSC pays for all but $3000 of it.

To some, that seems like a lot that I have to fund raise, but I don't see it as a major challenge.
After all, I am, like most Canadians, VERY FORTUNATE and have amazing people in my life who I'm hoping will sponsor me. I have my first payment of $500 due next week- for that, I will be using my Christmas money, and some assistance from my Mom!!
I'm thinking that end of January/Beginning of February is a good time to send out my sponsorship letters; far enough from Christmas and bills, but not too far from further payments, and gives people enough time to think about it and research the seminar, read this blog perhaps!
After I have examined just how amazingly generous my friends and family are, I will determine any further Fund raising strategies to implement on campus!
So I'm a bit stressed and uncertain about this financial aspect of my journey but I'm confident it won't be too big of a challenge to overcome.
The next challenge is health: I have a travel doctors appointment next week to get all my shots and meds ordered in, book a physical etc, to stay as healthy as possible overseas!

Some info about Ghana: apart from it being an incredible county in West Africa, it's in pretty great shape; in regards to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, they are in excellent shape with a 0-5% Adult HIV prevalence rate, in stark contrast with countries like Zambia and Malawi with rates over 20%. Malaria rates are at 170 reported cases per 1000 people, with around 3000 people dying each year from Malaria. In regards to TB: 367/1000 prevalence rate.
All of this may seem scary to some- like my family members- but again, Ghana is in much better shape than other neighboring African countries, and tourism in Ghana is booming, as it is an English speaking country with [supposedly] friendly people and great food!
The population of Ghana is about 20 million, and the infant mortality rate is about 97 out of every 1000 births.

Life expectancy is just 55-58 years- imagine that in Canada? I'm sure all of us have some incredible, irreplaceable people in our lives who are far beyond 55.
Unfortunately around 40% live below the poverty line, majority of Ghanaians are Christians (63%), but many still follow indigenous beliefs (21%).
In regards to gender and education: secondary school attendance is 41% for boys and just 34% for girls. Literacy rates among grown men: 63% compared with just 46% for adult women- quite a clear inequality. Last crazy fact: the average income per person is $320 American Dollars.
Ghana is a pretty safe country with far less crime and conflict than many other African countries.
Hmm what else.. you can click on the map in my earlier post to see an up close look at Ghana and the two possible cities I'll be placed in (Tamale/Cape Coast)

I think that is all for now, don't want to bombard you with facts and stats!

Enjoy the rest of your holidays!
Looking forward to school starting up again on Monday!

Love Robin

3. Excitement continues...

Soooo.. I emailed Emily from WUSC National Office with a few questions, I just couldn't wait for the package, and got some exciting news from her that I'll share with you! I asked whether she thought I'd be with a host family and she said yes, most likely, so that is awwwesome.. I'm really hoping that comes into fruition! Also, I asked if she knew exactly where I'd be placed and she said that too has not been decided but I will either be in Tamale which is 500km North of Accra (capital city) or in Cape Coast which is just 145 km West of Accra. Truthfully I need to do some research to see the differences between these two cities before I can say where I'd like to go and explain to you the highlights of each. Cape Coast is right on the water and is close to Accra, so is probably more developed, and I've heard Northern Ghana (Tamale) is a lot less developed, more village-like, less city-like. But again this is all speculation and there is more research to follow! It's neat looking at the map because just North of Ghana is Burkina Faso where my good friend Crystal was this past summer for the same Seminar so it would be very cool if I was in Tamale, a few hundred km from where she was!

Other than these details I don't have a whole lot more for you. Unfortunately my Ghanaian package has not come in the mail yet and I'm heading to Pickering tomorrow morning for the Holidays so my excitement and anticipation will continue over the next week until I return back to Windsor!
I've attached a map of Ghana so you can see where I might be in just 6 months time!
AHHHHHHH I'm sooooooo excited guys and girls you have noo idea!!!
Thanks for reading!
Please post some comments people!!
Wishing you all safe, fun, happy, exciting holidays!!
Ghanaian Robin

2. Some more info for you curious people!

So a lot of people have been asking me for more details- so I'll share what I know (which isn't a whole lot)

20 Canadian students go to Ghana and are matched up with 20 Ghanaian University students to do research on the primary education system in Ghana, and how policies etc are effecting school enrollment.
Apart from that I don't know a whole lot...!
Not sure if I'll be living with a host family (what I'd really like to do, so I can be totally immersed in the culture and learn about family life). But I could also live in a hostel/residence building type of deal, which was the case for a lot of the participants last year.

I hope to visit my adopted girl Agnes who is in Ghana and who my mom sponsored for me through Plan Canada.

Anyway, next week I get a package in the mail with all the juicy details- or some of them it least!!
I will keep you all posted tho! And any questions/comments write them on here people!!
Thanks :)

1. WOW

So, two nights ago, I was sitting at my laptop studying Stats- (yes, I'm a Drama in Ed major; just taking stats for grad school)- when the phone rings. The past two weeks, since my interview in Windsor for the seminar, I have been answering the phone prepared to be interviewed by national office. Friends even commented and laughed at my fake voice when I'd pick up (that's life without caller id). So anyway, get to the point, I pick up, totally unprepared and immersed in the boring formulas of Quantitative Methods, when I hear "Hi, this Emily from WUSC National Office in Ottawa" as she goes on to spell out what WUSC stands for (World University Service Canada), I immediately think 1 of 2 things are going to happen: 1. She will schedule a date for my phone interview, or 2. She will interview me on the spot, right that moment...think Robin, get it together

When I hear: I'm calling about your candidacy for the International Seminar in Ghana... you've been accepted.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GODDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I AM GOING TO GHANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

All this going on in my head, I hope.. not exactly sure what I said but my enthusiasm/energy/shock/happiness and gratefulness were clear!!!

So now it's been two days, and I had my stats exam tonight (it wasn't too bad I must say, considering the fact that my mind has been immersed in Ghana-thoughts).

Has it started to sink in?
NOT AT ALL
Well, of course a bit. The initial giddy excitement has SLIGHTLY mellowed to let in thoughts of this reality.

I will actually be in Ghana in six months time.

Do you know how fast time flies? This first semester of my 4th year has FLOWN by.. unbelievable.

In six weeks I will be heading to Ottawa for training and preparation with the 19 other Canadians participants, and then my butt will be on a plane to GHANA

TO AFRICA

My body will be on African soil, and I will live, work, eat and sleep under the African sky.

It really has not sunk in yet for me.

I just live with a general feeling of happiness and excitement. Every time I check my email or facebook I have another message from a friend or acquaintance about the seminar- (I put it in my status; I should have expected this). It's amazing to feel all the support, love, and congratulations from people I care about.
It's amazing to talk to Crystal who did this seminar last year in Burkina Faso...
and to know that now it will be my turn. Now, after all these years of dreaming and thinking and questioning, I will be overseas, immersed in a culture that is alien to me as a Canadian, having the experience that will change my life more significantly and drastically than any other experience in my 21 years thus far.

Wow.....




These entries will hopefully be a lot more organized, informative, interesting, as I practice and gain some experience with this whole blogging thing (this is my first blog, in case you didn't already notice).

Right now my hyper-excitement/confusion/shock/disbelief create a messy lens through which I write tonight. As pathetic and random as this is, I'm excited about this blog, and more than anything else

I'm excited to start my Journey to Ghana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!