Thornhills in Ghana - Letter 5

Hi All,

Happy Anniversary to Kathy and Ellie!!! Happy Birthday to Ann and Margaret!!! Jim K. also!

Last Sunday we came back from Accra to Akropong. When we got about 2/3's of the way it started to pour. Of course, the tro-tro leaked. We were more concerned about our bags than our bodies. It was dripping down Joan's back. The rain actually felt good. It was raining so hard when we got to Akropong that the tro tro dropped us off in front of a shelter. We sat there for about 45 minutes to let the rain let up a bit before walking home. One of our students came by and helped us with one of our bags.

When we arrived at school on Monday we found that the storm had blown off the roof of part of the elementary school at Akuffo-Tom. The students' exercise notebooks were laid out on the compound to dry. It was a sad sight. They took part of the roofing panals off part of a storage building to fix the classroom. The notebooks for our own students for both Social Studies and English were wet also--our students' notebooks were also put outside to dry.

This week we donated books to the school for Social Studies and English for all students in Forms 1, 2, and 3. We gave about 175 books. The books cost about $3.50 each. The money that the PLC camping group gave us went to help pay for them. The students did not have Social Studies books and the English books were very outdated. The new books follow the government curriculum very closely. They are paperback. We are also going to buy some desks and chairs.

Some of you have asked if you could help the school. The only way we can figure out how to do it is to have you send money to Ross by March 20. He will tell us how much is donated and we will get a cash advance on our credit card. When we get home we are going to try to raise some money to build a classroom or two. The school headmaster was overwhelmed. They had a PTA meeting today and we were thanked. Ross' address is:

Ross Thornhill
19 Lucille Lane
Ballson Lake
NY 12019

I should mention that the PTA meeting today pre-empted my class. I planned to give a test and all of a sudden all the boys were sent to get chairs and benches for the meeting. They don't tell you ahead of time that something like that is happening--they have no memo system. Earlier in the week was photo day. We were probably the only ones who did not know about it as most came in suit, fancy dresses and with their hair up. Even Vera does not tell us everything. Another example is the funeral which we are attending tomorrow. We finally found out yesterday that it is for an aunt of her mother. We are still trying to find out if we are expected to give a gift(money). When we ask a question it is not always given a clear answer.

We tried to use our Visa card here in Koforidua today and found that we can no longer use it here. We can use it in Accra or Kamasi where we may be going next weekend. Mandy, you may use whatever you like of our letters. Judy, save the Sierra Leone letters. Eileen K--thanks for saving letters. Ellen S. sign Joan up for August. We are running out of our paid time so will close for now.

Love, Prayers, and Namaste,

Joan and Harry