The frustrating part about life is not getting what you expected to get. Granted you will not always get what you expected out of someone or something, but what if your expectations were really low and you still did not get that. Or what if it was no fault of your own and you still did not get what you expected. As people, we are entitled some times to get what our expectations will provide to us. This is why we have standards, set goals and set expectations. Think of a world where there were no goals, no expectations and no standards. Anything goes mentality.
A lot people think that Africa is an anything goes society. Given that Africa is a continent, with many cultures, people etc. it still gets put into this monolith where people think they can just come here and do what they want when they want. Sometimes I grow shameful of some Americans who visit African nations with all of these wild expectations and this "holier than thou" attitude towards people. I see it everyday in Ghana. The people have created a subservient mentality and just accept it. It is disparaging to see how in a place so rich and full of culture and tradition that outside negative influences often tame how people view their world --in their country.
In any case, tis life. What can you do other than empower people. How to empower people in a developing country? Where each day is not promised. Clean water, food, and protection is not guaranteed. People are not concerned with being empowered. They want to simply live.
I have become more observant of how people behave. My mind and thrill have moved past the "omg I am in Africa" stage to the "omg why" and for what? stage. In a place like this you have to be very observant. You, as an American are being watched all the time, why not return the favor.
Sola-Mae, is doing most of the cleaning today. I saw her yesterday and this morning before I left and she seemed not to be herself. Joel informed me that her grandmother was sick and that she had been worrying about that. In addition, she has been worried about her job. After I leave, she does not know who she would clean for. It is a double jeopardy that many Ghanaians play each and every day. I am working with her to find her a post Justin employment. My little 20 cedi a week goes a long way for her, an outcome that I am just now beginning to understand.
It is a lul right now in Ghana. Post Obama mortem. Everyone is winded down and people's frustration, for most, is setting in. Joel is down with a mild case of Malaria, Kojo is also fighting a mild case, Sola Mae is dealing with her grandmother, the rain has settled down a bit so people are hot. I for one am not upset or down, I am a bit frustrated though for no reason at all. I think it just rubbed off. Any words to get me out of this awkward frustration mode would be helpful. I need all the energy I can get for my trip over the coming week.
Until next time.
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