Elephants!!!

Oh wow....WOWEEEE what a day!! We had the weekend off for some leisure time so we made the 9 hour trek up to Mole National Park for a safari. For a SAFARI people!!! In Africa!!! I mean come on....who doesn't want to do that in their lifetime??!!

I was so was excited at the opportunity to get to go and my partner Ya Joan is always up for anything so we went for it....even though it was a long drive it was so worth it!!

The moment we pulled up you could see them off in the distance, down at the watering hole...man....not only am I in Africa again but I am actually seeing elephants in the wild...AWESOME!!



Right across the road from the elephants!
 

So after a few hours there Joan and I decided to go get our bathing suits on so we could go for a dip in the pool and low and behold 4 elephants were just down the road from our room!! Wow....and I mean WOW another Bucket List item for me to cross off!!



First of all they are black not grey and they are very loud as they go stomping through the bush and eating all the leaves and branches. We were also told they have bad eyesight but excellent smell. Apparently if an elephant is ever coming at you, you are to hide behind a tree as they will typically not be able to see you as long as you go directly behind the tree and if there are several of you together then stand single file, one behind each other. Who knew?! Thankfully I didn't have to put this to the test today.

Having a FABULOUS time over here. Can't believe it is going by so fast (boo, hoo).

Ya Joan and I are already back at it tonight working on our board report for Mim Community Credit Union tomorrow. I can't wait for that meeting and to present all of our ideas...we have some real gems in there for them...Bring it!! :)

Akua Heidi in Sunyani, Ghana....feeling so damn lucky!!!! <BIG HUGE SMILE!>

Speaking the same language

The time is just whizzing by and my partner, "Ya Joan" (LOL YES there is a story there!) and I are having a fabulous time just taking it all in and enjoying every experience that comes our way.

So far we have:



My future husband?!
 

- met the Chief of the town we were in

- wandered in the community marketplace
- got bombarded by some kids at a road side stand
- was asked for my hand in marriage by a 60 something year old with 4 teeth (that one I had to really think about!)


- went 4X4'ing on a "shortcut" (only hit my head 10x on the roof  of the truck.....okay maybe I'm exaggerating....it was more like 5)
And I've loved EVERY SINGLE SECOND!!

I had my first shower tonight since I've been here....OMG....that felt soooo good. We take so much for granted back home.....so much!!  I even turned off the water while I was shampooing as it felt so precious, amazing how quickly you can adapt and truly be thankful for the little things that really mean so much.

Conversing in Twi with the local shop keepers
 

I've made it a goal to learn a new Twi (local dialect) word every day....I'm at 12 now LOL!!  It's really coming back to me. We were standing in the street outside our credit union this afternoon and an older lady was walking by and smiled at me so I said "maahaaa" (phonetic spelling)  which means good afternoon, she stopped dead in her tracks and asked me in twi how are you and I said "mo ho yay" which means I am good!  Then I told her "ma deen day" (my name is) Akua Heidi and she laughed and broke into a whole conversation with me in Twi which of course I knew none of those words...LOL...I just laughed and told her that's all I know.  It was awesome though....I love it <BIG HUGE SMILE!>


We're in Mim now working with the credit union here.  There is a great vibe in this credit union.   They are very warm and inviting and we even had dinner with their Founder - wow - they are so generous to us here.

Mim Credit Union
 

I really hope we can find some real gems, or our one 'ting' (as my former Irish coach and friend Damien would say) to leave behind to help them.....I'm quite certain we will :)

Akua Heidi in Ghana.....feeling so grateful....

WOW!!! What a day.....

Well....where do I even begin?! Today I got to cross another thing off my Bucket List!!

 I was able to visit with the staff of the Sunyani Municipal Teacher's Co-operative Credit Union and see my old friends - James, Sylvia and Samuel.  James has just been promoted to Manager and I couldn't be happier.  He is such a hard worker and it's great to see him rewarded for that.  Even though they weren't expecting me James took time out of his day to show me all their progress since I was last here in 2011.

Well let's see, they've built a hostel, to house 10 students a year who are going to school in their community AND purchased land and cement blocks for their new branch location AND built a water hole which is now servicing not only their members but also their community at large!

Wow....WOW, that was an amazing moment for me...seeing the water hole project in person....I was only sorry my previous partner Damien wasn't here to share that moment with me. :(

And on top of all of that they had a 152.83% increase in general performance over last year.  Yup, that's right 152.83%!!! I think it is time I moved to Sunyani and took a job here at this credit union as they have a very bright future ahead of them!

Honestly, it was a very overwhelming day for me and I shed a few tears of pride today in all that this credit union has accomplished in such a short period of time and how committed they are to their community...well done!!

Heidi in Ghana....feeling blessed..... :)

Training complete.....off to BA we go!

We finished up our training today.  It was excellent and a very enjoyable day.  It's great to see all the improvements in the program since I was last here.  A highlight from today.....an awesome ice breaker that Ernest from CUA led for us!  He combined Ghana, Ireland and Canada into a new word = GHANIRECAN

We all had to get up out of our seats, put our hands on our hips and spell out our new word with our hips.....LOL.....it was so funny!! We all laughed and laughed and it was such a good ice breaker! YES we will be trying this out in 'The Hood' when I get back!  Hands down best ice breaker ever, feel free to steal this idea.

We're off to BA tomorrow, a full day of travel and a first for me as we now fly on a domestic flight thanks to Scott and Brian who set that standard for all of us in 2012.

I have a new partner, Joan, from Fort St James as we both have a personal connection to the BA Region. Joan has hosted a lady in Canada in the Women's Mentorship Program and I want to return to BA so I can see the completed water hole that Damien and I (my coaching partner from 2011) worked on. We also learned today that we will have the same driver I had in 2011 - Moses - so this trip is really shaping up to be a trip down memory lane for me <BIG HUGE SMILE!>

Yup, another awesome day in Africa :) I can't wait for tomorrow!!


Heidi in Ghana......

We made it!

We all arrived safely with our luggage intact so things are off to a very good start over here.  Excited for our first day in Ghana and to see what has changed since I was last here 3 years ago.

Court yard of Paloma Hotel - Accra, Ghana
 

It's around 28 degrees already and I'm sitting here in a nice cool breeze in the court yard at the Paloma Hotel listening to some African music in the background...after a great breakfast of eggs, dry toast and watermelon...ahhhhh....does it get any better than this?!

We're on the move today to the central credit union's training centre where we will be stationed for the next two days while we complete our in country training....bring on the Adventure!! :)

Here we go again......

WAHOOOOOEEEEEE!!!!!!!! I was absolutely thrilled to receive word that I am going to Africa again as a last minute fillin coach for CCA.  But the moment was bittersweet for me when I realized that I was going in place of a friend who can no longer make it. That was a hard moment for me......

 I have ALWAYS wanted to go back to Africa, but WITH my friend not FOR him....but I know if the shoe were on the other foot I would have done the same for him.....I promise to do my best to make him proud of his replacement.

So......it is with great excitement that I announce I am indeed going back to Africa, the Eastern Region of Ghana to be exact and I have been partnered with another Irishman!! Heaven help Liam as my last Irish partner is still in therapy from our trip....or so he likes to tell me every time we talk...hahaha!

So I hope you will follow along as I set out on this new adventure.....

Thank you.....

As I sit here...reflecting back on my time in Africa...I am overcome with emotion......what a journey it truly was!!!!!

I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity....that I know others will only ever dream of......

I am so thankful to so many people who have helped me to realize this life long dream....

To CCA and John Julian for developing such an amazing program that I have seen first hand is making a difference in the lives of others in developing countries by providing them with a hand UP and not a hand OUT....and to Laurie and Sarah for picking me out of dozens of applicants...thank you!

To my employer, Interior Savings Credit Union, thank you for allowing me to participate in this incredible program and being such great supporters of the credit union movement worldwide...and Barry, thank you for your support, it meant everything to me...I am really going to miss you when you retire! :)

To my co-workers, who are like my second family, who have picked up the slack for me while I have been gone and who will put up with all my millions of stories I am going to be telling and re-telling over and over again...hahaha.....thank you.....I am so fortunate to work with such talented people who are so dedicated to our credit union and our community! I was so proud to represent all of you!

To the incredible Malawian people I was so fortunate to meet...thank you for sharing your beautiful country with me and teaching me all about the "Warm Heart of Africa"...it was a gift I will always cherish...deep in my heart!

To my fellow coaches, from both last year and this year....oh boy where do I even begin.....oh dear....here come the tears.......you are some of the most passionate and talented people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting...it was truly my honour to be in such good company and I was so touched by your friendship, and promise to keep in touch! 

And last, but certainly not least...to my family......you have been behind me 100% while I went through this journey....it meant so much to hear you were proud of me...thanks for being my cheerleaders, I love you all so much...especially my boys, Luke and Nick...thank you....for inspiring me to want to be the best Mama ever......and for teaching me so many life lessons and what is really important in life!

Zukomo Kwambini (thank you VERY MUCH!)

Heidi :)

Oh Yeah!

P.S. Cory - I DID end up beating you with more hits on my blog than you! hahahaha.....
and CCA - if you ever need a last minute fillin in the future - I am SO IN!! :)

My New Malawian Friend :)

Receiving my gift...a moment I'll never forget! :)

Lennie and I in our SACCO cloth outfits :)

Experiencing the "Warm Heart of Africa" one last time.....

We had a great day today, our last full day in Malawi before we leave tomorrow.

The MUSCCO staff took us to a tailor here in Lillongwe to have our SACCO cloth made into an outfit before we leave for home. I had done that last year in Ghana and really wanted to have an outfit from Malawi.

We got all measured up and then dropped off our cloth - it was around 10 am and we were told to come back at 2 to pick up our outfits.  So while we waited we went back to the hotel and lounged around the pool for a few hours, and oh boy am I burnt! LOL....I can hear the groans now...and the violins playing in the background from my Canadian friends back home as you are in the dead of winter!

We went back to the tailor in the afternoon but the outfits weren't quite ready as they had run out of buttons in the market.  While we were waiting a lady selling cloth and beads offered me a seat, beside her, on her bench while she did her beading.  It was fascinating, and she was so friendly.....again.....the "Warm Heart of Africa" surfaced......

I purchased a couple of sets of beads from her and then she told me to pick one.....she wanted me to have one, a gift from her.......WOW!!! I can't even begin to tell you how touched I was.....they have so little and yet they are the ones always giving......here was this lady, making a living selling material and beads and she was offering me one...for FREE!! This place truly is amazing, please add it to your bucket list as you just have to experience it to believe it!

When we went to leave I gave her my last Canada pin...she was so thrilled......she said thank you and I love you...hahaha.....I think that just means she was happy to have met me :)

Another amazing day in Malawi.....I wish I could stay another week........

Heidi in Lillongwe :)

 P.S. The outfit cost 3500 Malawian Kwatcha to have made which is $15 Cdn!

Visiting with the SACCO employees

hahaha...they all had to get in on the photo op!

Elephant Mountain, Malawi

The Mountains of Northern Malawi

Back to Lillongwe we go......

We travelled another 6 hours today to get back to Lillongwe.  The trip could have been made in a shorter time frame but we stopped to visit with 2 different SACCOS along the way as well as make several stops for some amazing photos!

One stop we made was in the "exotic forest", they have a pine tree plantation here and I felt like I was back home in British Columbia!  They have hundreds of trees and for every tree they harvest they have to plant a new one. I'm not sure what species of pine they are but they sure grow quickly!  The reach maturity in about 10 years....wow!

We made it to Lillongwe this afternoon and met up with Lennie and Roccio another CCA coaching team.  Lennie and I are friends from our trip to Ghana together last year and I've never received a warmer welcome.....it was awesome!  Lennie came running at full speed and gave me a great big hug! :)

We went to Mama Mia's for dinner and exchanged stories about our week, it was great! Then a storm rolled in and we had to make our way back to our hotel, which was a few blocks away.....in a downpour...and I mean a downpour...hahaha......the gutters which are about 1 foot deep were overflowing!  When we got back to our hotel looking like drowned rats, the staff came running out with umbrellas even though we were already soaked to the core and said "oh, so sorry".

They are so polite here they even apologize for us having to get wet in the rain.....love Malawi, and love these amazing people!

Heidi in Lillongwe

Meeting with the Board of Directors from Phindu Community SACCO

Madame Hide and Mr. Garth....

We finished off our last SACCO visit today in Rumpi, we are now referred to as "Madame Hide" and "Mr. Garth" over here, hahahaha.  We worked hard to give them our best suggestions ....they were very appreciative and especially liked the Canadian pins that we handed out before we left! I was really proud with the info we were able to come up with in such a short period of time.

This SACCO, Phindu Community has faced some real hardships in the last few years......the majority of their members are farmers with tobacco crops...years ago they were very profitable but now with the price and demand for tobacco way down it has drastically affected them.  But the board is so committed to this community and this SACCO....so much so they that have elected to give up all of their director's pay except for out of pocket expenses until they are more profitable, now that's what I call passion and commitment!

As we were driving back to Muzuzu...it kind of hit me.....that was the last credit union I will be working with here in Africa.....I most likely will never return to this beautiful country and experience these amazing people....I started to get a little teary about it......

I have so loved my time here, and in Ghana last year, it is so humbling and fulfilling all at the same time....

I sent my boys a text back home to let them know I was finished my "official" work over here, and I received the following back from my 11 year old son.....he said "I love u and know u probably helped lots of people with this so u should be proud of yourself"

Oh boy!  Then the tears came.....

I am just so grateful to so many people who have made this life long dream of mine a reality....and thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride!

More travel tomorrow as it's back to Lillongwe to reunite with the rest of our Malawi CCA team.

Madame Hide in Muzuzu :)

View of Lake Malawi in Nkhata Bay - Chintheche, Malawi

Collecting Rubber from the Rubber Tree

Rubber Tree Plantation

A day in Chintheche @ Nkhata Bay

We had a day off today from work.  In Malawi the SACCO employees work 6 days a week, Sunday is their only day off, wow!

The Regional Manager Ezekiel picked us up from our hotel and along with his wife, Mildred, we headed out to Lake Malawi. We saw some amazing things today.....first we came across a rubber tree plantation, where they are growing rubber trees from seedlings.  Ezekiel explained that their President had a vision for Malawi about 30 years ago to have it full of trees, in the North there are so many and it is really beautiful. 

Further down the road we came across a mature rubber tree grove. To collect the rubber they slice ino the tree and insert a shunt to have the rubber drip out into a collection pot - much like maple syrup, cool!

Then we arrived at Chintheche at a beautiful private beach area where we spent the day visiting with Ezekiel and Mildred learning many things about Malawians and just life in general.  Mildred is a registered dietician and also a chicken expert.  She told us to never break apart a chicken wing as it is in this joint where all the steriods and other shots are given to the bird and if you split it apart all of that will seep into the meat you are eating...yikes...who knew?!

On the way home we stopped at a road side market area and Ezekiel bartered for us for our treasures in the local dialect, but it was all very respectful and they weren't overcharging us by much, but perhaps that had to do with our company :)

All in all an absolutely wonderful day...I'm a little sun burnt, but hey this is Africa after all.

Oh Yeah!  P.S. Ezekiel told Garth and I that our report for Karonga Teachers' SACCO was "good, really, really good", ohhhhh......I was so pleased....I feel so honoured to be able to share my credit union knowledge from back home to make a difference over here.....it made my whole trip worthwhile!  Now I've left a little piece of me behind in Malawi! <BIG BIG SMILE!>

Mugone Bwino (good night)
Heidi in Muzuzu