NOVEMBER 30, 2013

I'm very careful about eating street food when I travel. The usual concerns about parasites, poor sanitation, unhygienic preparation and storage, etc., limits my sense of adventure. But there are certain things that I can't wait to buy on the street when I travel to Ghana. The best place to buy street food is where other Ghanaians are gathered, where they meet and where they do business. Vendors are stationed in the markets, on the street and at Tro Tro and taxi stands. 

I think my absolute fave has got to be fresh young coconut! Of course in nothing is more refreshing when you're walking around under the hot sun. The coconut water is so good it is almost medicinal to me. :-) In fact, when I contracted malaria, it was the one thing that Ghanaians kept telling me to put in my system. And the tender meat of the young coconut is slimy/sweet and nutritious.

When I land in Ghana, I look forward to the hard boiled eggs arranged in round trays and toted on the heads of young girls. I purchase 4 at a time! They will peel the eggs on the spot and if you like, they will expertly slice into the egg and put a spoonful of thick chili paste in a neat pocket through the white and the yoke. I am not going to lie! I get excited when I see the vendors carrying eggs in the market or at a check point! I didg in my pocket and try to get the Ghana peswa (about $0.25 USD) in their hands and the egg in mine before the bus takes off!


Another favorite, kelewele, is a sweet snack of ripe plaintain sliced and tossed in hot pepper, ginger and other spices, then fried until the sugar in the plantain carmalizes.

I look forward to indulging my craving for kyinkyinka, Ghanaian meat kebobs. My fave is the chicken gizzard kebab, but one can buy beef or goat as well. Kyinkyinka is spicy, seasoned with peppers, dusted in peanut flour, then grilled open air over charcoal. As street food goes, I would say kyinkyinka is a safe bet given that it is cooked over hot coals right on the spot. And it usually only costs $1GHC, about $.50USD.

Ok boy... Let us chop! ( let us eat!)

Meeting the President Of Ghana

On Thursday, 21 November, the president of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama visited the Bolgatanga Girls Senior Seconday School, where I am currently spending time.

The students of Bolgatanga Girls Secongaty High School (BOGISS) preparing for President Mahama's visit. 

This guy just made me laugh as he marched around the courtyard prior to the President's motorcade coming. I think he could single-handedly thwart any threat.

The President's motorcade arriving at BOGISS.

Shots of students and other guests in the audience for the President's presentation of  laptops to BOGISS.

The President's visit had been planned for sometime, but I was not aware until the day before his arrival. Just like president Barack Obama, Mr. Mahama is a lightening rod for change and controversy in his country. From the 2012 Constitutional challenges to his election, to his recent proclamations to reduce his and other cabinet member salaries by 10% and use the accumulated proceeds to fund infrastructure projects in rural areas to his decisions calling for an end to corruption and government transparency, his term will be a busy one.

Returning Home - Ghana 2013

Traveling through Ghana, West Africa in 2011, I witnessed scores of girls and young women as young as 5 years old working and living on the streets. Extreme hunger and poverty in the rural areas, especially in the Northern region, compels girls and young women to drift to Accra and other large cities, hiring themselves out as “carrier girls” or Kaya Ye. They live in varying degrees of homelessness: sleeping in kiosks, in front of closed shops and trotro (trolley cab) stations, or on the streets. They are often victims of sexual and economic exploitation and abuse, working under brutal conditions for pennies a day. Profoundly moved by their stories, I traveled to the Northern region of Ghana again in February 2012 as a volunteer for WWW.SISTAWORKS.ORG 

Purchased school supplies headed to Bolgatonga Girls Secondary School

  

Prospective SISTA Scholars waiting for their interview

I traveled to Bolgatanga Girls Secondary School in the Northern Region and interviewed girls who were currently enrolled in school, but were in need of financial assistance for school fees and supplies in order to remain in school. I heard the stories of these girls in their own words. I learned about their families, about the struggles to survive after both parents had died, about cultural and economic motivators to marry girls off at a very young age. And I learned how important education is to these girls; what they are willing to sacrifice to get even a secondary school education.

The Chosen 15 new Scholarss for the 2012 - 2013 year Program

When I returned home from the second trip I made a commitment to use my photography to tell the stories of these beautiful young women. I conceived of the Kaya Yo Project (Carrier Girl Project) to document in words and images the stories of these young girls and women. This country and the people, especially the girls, have become a very important part of my journey as a photographer and as a woman.

I have just returned to Ghana again as a volunteer for SISTAWorks.org. I will travel to the Northern Region, to meet with girls and their families and guardians. We will choose 35 new SISTA Scholars for the 2014 school year. While here, I plan to lay some groundwork for a return trip to commence the Carrier Girl Project.

What is Your Travel Bucket List?

Greetings, Sojourners!
As I was thinking about my round-the-world trip over the weekend, it occurred to me that I've never been one to make a "Gotta-Do-Before-I-Die" List or a Bucket List. At least I've never written one down. There are things that I'd like to do before I make my transition, but generally, I've haven't been very formal or detailed about it. I guess I do have a Travel Bucket List if sorts. It's really off the top of my head as I was daydreaming about this post. After giving it some thought, I'd like share it with you. Although it is fluid, in no particular order and subject to change, please take a look. Share your lists and comments! I'd love to hear from you.

1. Visit every country in Africa at least once, including the Island nations (Madagascar, Seychelles, etc) over a one year - eighteen month period
2. Take my grand daughter Zeniya to India
3. Visit every state in the United States (I've already been to 31 states)
4. Spend a month in Ghana working on a photography project
5. Bike through Tuscany and the Italian wine region
6. Go to Festival in the Desert in Mali http://www.festival-au-desert.org/
7. Walking/biking trip through Scotland and Ireland
8. Climb a live volcano on Bali
9. Wander around Macchu Picchu
10. Photo trip to the Galapogos Islands
11. Go on a walkabout in the Austrailian Outback
12. Lay on the beach for days inTahiti
13. Walk the Great Wall of China
14. Take a Tour Of Paris focused on the early 20th centuryAfrican American cultural heritage
15. Thailand
16. Celebrate Carnival in Rio
17. Visit Cuba while Fidel Castro is still alive
18. Spend  month in Alaskaphotographing wildlife and native culture
19. Experience the great migration in Africa from on land and from air
20. Take a train ride through the Canada

LGBT Travel Information Recently Provided by the US Government

"By fighting for the rights of so many others, we realize that "gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights." Secretary Clinton – December 6, 2011

"An important aspect of the mission of Heritage Travel Group is to create value for LGBT travelers and expand LGBT tourism globally by demonstrating its significant social and economic impact." Savannah Williams ,Owner and Founder of Heritage Travel Group

Greetings, Sojourners.....

Travel is a powerful tool to bridge cultural, economic and informational gaps, increase understanding and tolerance and open a world of opportunities to see and experience the world on your own terms. Heritage Travel Group  has been providing innovative vacations and travel opportunites that combine the interests of LGBT travelers and  thier families and friends since 2010. 

Recently, the US government issued detailed LGBT travel information from it's perspective. I found the information helpful for our LGBT clients and thought I'd share it here. Please comment and let us know what your thoughts are. And PLEASE share! :-)

April 9, 2013 

Attitudes and tolerance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons vary from country to country, just as they vary among U.S. cities and states. Most LGBT travelers encounter no problems while overseas, but it helps to be prepared and research your destination before you go.

There are a number of countries that provide legal protections to those who are LGBT. Unfortunately, there are others that do not, and a significant number that even criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations. Persons convicted in these countries could be sentenced to prison, and/or be punished by fines, deportation, flogging, or even sentenced to death. Before choosing one’s international destination, LGBT travelers should carefully consider the laws and biases of their international destination and decide how open one can be regarding one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Personal judgment and knowledge of local laws and customs before one goes will help ensure your safety. Consult our Country Specific Information and links available throughout this document for other helpful resources.

Before You Travel

Where can I find information?

• Invest in a good current guide book – many specialize in advice to LGBT travelers
• The Internet and the press that specializes in LGBT issues are also good resources
• Your travel agent or tour operator might have information about LGBT issues, particularly in the more popular holiday destinations
• Local LGBT groups are an excellent source of information about local laws and attitudes
• Sign up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and download the Smart Traveler App to have information at your fingertips

Does the U.S. Department of State publish information about harassment or arrests of LGBT travelers or residents?

The Special Circumstances sections of some Country Specific Information documents, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, contain information about attitudes, harassment, or arrests relating to LGBT travelers. The annual Human Rights Report that the State Department publishes also includes a section specifically regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in each country.

What documents should LGBT individuals or families carry when traveling abroad?

The Department of State recommends that individuals carry legal/health documents that facilitate authorization for medical treatment or access in the event of a medical emergency while abroad. Parents should consider carrying documents regarding parentage and/or custody for accompanying minor children. Carry contact information for people in the United States, both legal and familial, and share your travel itinerary with someone in the United States. Program the contact information for the U.S. embassy or consulate in the countries you’re visiting into your phone. Check with that country’s embassy or consulate in the United States to learn about any special documentation requirements.

How do I document a change of name through marriage?

See Passport Services’ change of name documentation requirements on Travel.State.Gov, the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website. 

What is the policy of the U.S. Department of State regarding the passport identity of transgender travelers?

See Passport Services’ identification requirements for gender reassignments on Travel.State.Gov, the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website.

How can I find HIV entry requirements of foreign countries?

The Department of State publishes Country Specific Information for every country on Travel.State.Gov, the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website. We include HIV/AIDS entry restrictions, or lack of restrictions, in the section entitled Entry/Exit Requirements for U.S. Citizens. In some instances, the Country Specific Information refers travelers to that country’s embassy or consulate for additional information.

What is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can provide you with current Travel Warnings, Alerts, and Country Specific Information. STEP also allows U.S. citizens abroad to get emergency and security messages from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Most importantly, the embassy or consulate will be able to locate and assist you in an emergency. When enrolling in STEP, be sure to include an email address or phone number where you can be reached while traveling.

While You’re There

What are some issues to be aware of while traveling abroad?

• Be a responsible tourist. Avoid potentially risky situations, and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home!
• Remember that you are subject to the laws and the judicial process of the country you’re visiting
• Avoid excessive physical displays of affection in public, particularly in more conservative countries or regions
• If you intend to frequent Internet chat rooms or other meeting places, it’s wise to find out about the local situation – police in some countries have been known to monitor such sites and locales with the intention of carrying out entrapment campaigns
• Be wary of new-found “friends” - criminals sometimes exploit the generally open and relaxed nature of the LGBT scene
• If you receive unwelcome attention or unwelcome remarks, it’s usually best to ignore them
• Some resorts or LGBT neighborhoods can be quite segregated. Be aware that local residents may not approve of expressions of sexuality when you are in surrounding areas
• You’re more likely to experience difficulties in rural areas, so exercise discretion
• Some hotels, especially in rural areas, won’t accept bookings from same-sex couples. It’s best to check before you go.

What should I do if I run into problems while overseas?

The American Citizens Services (ACS) Section of the U.S. embassy or consulate may be able to help you if you run into problems overseas, especially if you feel that you can’t approach the local police or encounter difficulties with local authorities. Consular officers will protect your privacy, and will not make generalizations, assumptions, or pass judgment.

Our consular officers monitor and record incidents U.S. citizens report to them about the treatment they receive from host authorities. Our embassies regularly raise issues of concern, especially inappropriate treatment or harassment of our citizens, with relevant officials.

Immigration Issues

Why can’t I petition for an immigrant visa for my same sex spouse?

Under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a United States federal law enacted on September 21, 1996, the federal government defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. As a result of the provisions of DOMA, same-sex partners cannot be issued immigrant visas for legal permanent residency based on marriage.

How can I obtain a foreign residence and/or work permit so I can live abroad with my foreign national spouse/partner?

Check with that country’s embassy or consulate in the United States to learn about any special documentation requirements (such as work authorization or a residence visa). You can also find foreign embassy and consulate contact information in the Country Specific Information for each country.

As a foreign national, how can I obtain a non-immigrant visa to accompany a same-sex spouse/partner who will be working or studying in the United States for an extended period of time?

You can apply for a B-2 visitor visa to accompany your spouse/partner. The B-2 classification is appropriate for persons who are members of the household of another foreign national in long-term nonimmigrant status, but who are not eligible for derivative status under that foreign national's visa classification. A B-2 visa would also be appropriate for a foreign national who is accompanying a U.S. citizen partner for a limited stay in the United States. To qualify, you must demonstrate that you don’t intend to immigrate to the United States, intend to maintain a residence outside the United States, and meet other visitor visa eligibility requirements. If you receive a visa, it allows you to apply for entry at a U.S. port of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials of the Department of Homeland Security at the port of entry decide whether to admit you and determine the length of time you are authorized to remain in the United States.

Other useful links

• State Department LGBT Fact Sheet
• White House LGBT Fact Sheet
• International Lesbian and Gay Association - Provides information on gay rights around the world, and contains a map which highlights potentially dangerous regions and countries
• Tips for Traveling Abroad – Extensive information on the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website

Jay-Z Trip Reopens Cuba Travel Debate

Jay-Z Trip Reopens Cuba Travel Debate

COSTA RICA PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI - JOIN US NOVEMBER 2013

COSTA RICA PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARI

 

Planning for the Costa Rica Photography Safari is coming along. Want to photograph an active volcano in the evening in Arenal? How about the hiking the rain forest in Monteverdi at dawn? This is your chance to explore the most bio diverse island in the Americas! You'll want to keep informed as travel plans are finalized.

 

 

                                          JOIN US IN COSTA RICA NOVEMBER 2013!!

 

 

 INTERESTED?

                                                         

 

EMAIL ME AT

travel@heritagetravelgroup.com

 

 

JOIN US IN COSTA RICA NOVEMBER 2013

MORE DETAILSD TO COME!

Road Trip! Gettin' My Kicks On Route 66

I love road trips!  My father was a long distance trucker and I loved listening to his road stories. He even took my sister and brother and me with him on a couple of road trips with him when we were little.  And some of my best childhood memories are connected to road trips. Every summer as soon as school was out we'd pile into the car for the long drive south. Some years Mom would put us in the care of an aunt and we'd board the Greyhound Bus, then transfer to the Trailways Bus in Memphis on the last leg of the journey (if you remember Trailways Bus lines holla! LOL). 

I didn't much care what mode of transportation we took; it wasn't about comfort or speed for us kids. We looked forward to the box lunches filled with homemade goodies like fried chicken, biscuits, potato salad, bologna sandwiches on white bread with mayonnaise, tuna salad, salmon croquettes, thick slices of ham, boiled eggs, apples, bananas, and grapes. Yes, my Mom packed a weeks worth of food for a 14 hour journey. Once on the road, my brothers and sisters and I would count and compile license plates from each state and every color car on the road. And  when we tired of counting cars, each of us would claim a particular make and model of car and build our collection of Cadillacs, Buicks, Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. And when we tired of that, we would eat! 

Yesterday I embarked on the longest cross country road trip I've taken in a long while. I'm doing a wedding photography workshop in Phoenix, Arizona and I decided to drive Route 66 from Chicago to Phoenix. Ever since I was a child watching the old Route 66 TV series, I've wanted to drive "The Mother Road" in a red convertible. Guess the red jeep will have to do. If it's at least 70 degrees in Phoenix, the T-Top is coming off!

Urban Nomads......

 

I was driving home this evening and tracked a pair of coyotes! NO KIDDING! I think they were male and female as I've read that they usually roam as a pair. They were walking down the sidewalk in Lincoln Park area near the river! I parked to try and get a photo, but they suddenly darted into the shadows. WOW! It was amazing! But at the same time very sad: we have encroached on their habitats to the point that they are forced to scavenge outside a Whole Food Market!

Happy Friday! Welcome to The Very First Heritage Travel Friday Fotos!

March. Spring. Change. Transitions. As I thought about what to post for my 'inaugural' Friday Foto feature, I thought about transitions, which led me to think of weather of course. The changes each season brings are spectacular, but none so much as those of Spring. As I mused on change, transitions and Spring, I started thinking about my sojourn to Egypt in Spring of 2010 and the so-called "Arab Spring" of 2011.  

Last Spring, as our Arab brothers and sisters did their thing all over North Africa and the Middle East, I often thought of my sojourn to Egypt, the people I met there and the experiences I had there. I recalled walking on the lawns in front of the Cairo Museum and looking out across Tagrir Square, the epicenter of the Revolution. It was peaceful there during my visit; mothers and children sat on the lawns under the palm trees; men stood in small groups smoking and gesturing in excited conversation; palms swayed in the warm April breeze. But then Spring came, and change was in the air in Egypt. Many of the sites, neighborhoods and squares I visited were being splashed all over international TV. Cairo in smoky chaos, precious historical artifacts and sites damaged, some in ruins. Camels bearing down on protestors in the streets. Reports of vandals damaging ancient tombs and artifacts.

I cherish my sojourn to Egypt. I'm glad I went the year before the 'change', the Revolution. I hope to return to the Land of the Pharoahs again and soon. For now, here are a few photos of Cairo.

Cairo is a CROWDED city, smoggy and dirty. Cars crowd the streets and highways and people are everywhere! This was taken in Giza where many of the perfume shops and essence makers are located, not far from the Pyramids.

These photos were taken from a high vantage point in the Salah al-Din Citadel in Cairo. The Citadel was built by the ruler Salah al-Din between 1176 and 1183 CE to protect the city from the Crusaders.

Smog so thick it looks like smoke!

The Citadel also contains the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which was built between 1828 and 1848 in memory of Muhammad Ali's eldest son, Tusun Pasha, the Qasr al-Gawhara Palace and museum, and the Mosque of Suleymon. The Mosque is also known as the Alabaster Mosque and is a stunning example of Ottoman architecture.

The interior of the Mosque is quite remarkable. The lights hanging from the domes ceilings were originally lit with candles, but are now fitted with electric lights.

I'm not sure what this structure is called but I was told it is where the Imam teaches during worship.

And me in the Mosque!

Foto Fridays

Greetings, Sojourners!
You know, this blog is always on my mind, so why is it so hard for me to keep up with posting??? Maybe it's because I don't have very many followers so I don't feel the pressure??? Well, that is about to change! I'm going to make a major commitment to post to this space at least twice weekly. I'm also committing to building a following through content and networking.

To start with this commitment, I'm introducing Foto Fridays! Each Friday I'll post and share photos from my travels. So look for a new post tomorrow!

Let me know what you think.
Abundant Blessings
Savannah

I'm Back!

Greetings, Sojourners!
It's been over six months since my last post. My only excuse is that I was enjoying the most wonderful summer that we've had in Chicago in quite a few years. Then, at the end of the summer, on August 3rd, I was blessed to be present when my second grand daughter made her entrance onto this plane. I've been truly enjoying this little Golden Child. Check out her blog:   kalimaaorixa.blogspot.com  We also were blessed with a beautiful autumn in Chicago and I loved it.

And now it's winter again and my thoughts are turning to planning my next trip. I'm researching an extended African Sojourn. I want to visit every country in the Motherland. Going back to the Motherland, experiencing as much as I can in as many places as I can has been a dream of mine most of my life. The concept Sankofa, meaning “go back and retrieve what we’ve forgotten” is really at the root of why I want to take this Sojourn. Sankofa teaches that there is wisdom in learning from the past to build for the future.

I want to witness a game migration and Safari in Kenya; visit the Slave Factories in Senegal; work for a while in the camps in the Sudan; travel to Rwanda to see gorillas; and visit Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned. So far I've traveled to Morocco, Egypt and Ghana. And of course, the main activity will be photographing my African Sojourn. I'm thinking 12-18 month, maybe more, so that I can spend as much time as I like in each location, experiencing cultures, meeting people and exploring cities and villages, all the while photographing my journey.

I imagine that traveling to a few countries, such as Somalia, the Congo, Cote D'voire and Libya, will be impossible, but I want to visit as many countries as I can and experience as much as I can in each.

I'm going to work on an itinerary and start saving. Do you have suggestions where I should start my journey?? Let me know; I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Soooo....here I go!

I'll keep you posted.

Worldwide Travel Warning!

In light of the recent news concerning Osama Bin Laden, the State Department has issued a warning for U.S. Citizens traveling abroad. Please feel free to pass this information along to colleagues, friends and family.

We wish everyone safe travels.

 

"In the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, the U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide advisory to U.S. citizens traveling abroad amid fears of possible reprisal, media including Stars and Stripes report.

Washington, D.C., has already stepped up its police presence at hotels, federal buildings and on the Metro, the city's subway system, ABC News reports."

Source: USA Today.

For additional information visit the U.S. State Department:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_worldwide.html

The Times They Are A'Changin'....

Greetings, Sojourners ~

These last few months have been very challenging, all over the world: the people of the world are realigning themselves socio-politically and socio-economically in the North Africa and the Middle East; the Earth is realigning itself in the form of geotechtonic eruptions in New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii and Arkansas; flooding along the East Coast and in the Midwestern United States the cost of gas is now over $4.00. I truly believe that we are in the midst of a transformational phase in our life, world and affairs. As some things change, others will remain the same - at least on the surface. As some things change, oppurtunities will increase for those of us in the travel and related industies smart enough to be paying attention.

However, as a travel professional this provides an opportunity to capitalize on yet another niche in the travel industry: Promote StayCations versus Vacations. A staycation refers a period of time in which an individual or family stays and relaxes at home, or vacations in their own country, possibly taking day trips to area attractions (Wikipedia). With travel advisories and artificially inflated air fares and the cost of gas preventing families from taking trips a StayCation might just be the answer.

Egypt - The Revolution is Being Televised

Pardon me while I delve into a bit of political observation.....

Last April I led a small group of travellers to Egypt. One of our stops was the Cairo Museum which is across the street from Tahrir Square or Liberation Square, the epicenter of the recent demonstrations. I remember seeing women sitting on the grass in the Square children chased each other around in circles. Men lounged around smoking, gathering in small groups as men often do in Muslim countries. I remember the Square itself being dusty and dry, hazy with the familiar smog of Cairo. Over the past weeks, I've somberly watched news coverage of the brave ones in Tahrir Square enduring tear gas, water cannons, rocks, sniper fire and mobs storming in on horses and camels (one report said that the camels were those stationed at the pyramids for tourists. I know its silly, but I fleetingly wondered if "my" camel was now being called away from his mundane tourist attraction duties in Giza into the service of the anti-democracy forces).

The current revolutionary movement taking place in Egypt has the world abuzz and speculation is rampant in the media and in the blogosphere as to what is really going on there. In my view, the uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa over the last month or so is a clear signal that the people of this region are fed up: fed up with corrupt leaders; fed up with wealthy families running their governments and benefiting from nepotism and heavy-handedness; fed up with unemployment and with hopelessness. this movement is

reminiscent of the "Domino Effect" Liberation movements which swept across Africa in the 50's and 60's. 

All over the Middle East the young people are speaking. They're pouring into the streets and are expressing the frustrations of a generation. They want jobs, a share of the abundant wealth denied to the masses in one of the wealthiest areas on the planet.

Fifteen thousand Egyptians aged 10-29 from across the country were recently queried various aspects of their lives, from female circumcision to civic participation. The survey found around 20 percent unemployed, less than half satisfied with their schooling, more than a quarter of young men planning to immigrate at the earliest opportunity. Only 12 percent of eligible youth were registered to vote, fewer than half even talked about politics and less than 5 percent participated in any sort of organized activity.

They want self-determination and they want change. Youth who a few weeks ago seemed to have no direction are now leading an organized and determined movement for change. The Mubarak government's actions in shutting down the internet (how they managed to accomplish this is still a matter of conjecture and shrouded in secrecy) and access to mobile phones in an effort to quell the movement was a failure. If you've been paying attention, there has been a Day of Rage, The More Than a Million March, The Day of Departure. Men AND women are takin' it to the streets! It is quite inspiring!

My heart is filled with concern for my those I met in Egypt: Nancy and "MeeMaw", our Guide and Egyptologist and Tour Manager in Cairo, Hasan, our Nubian guide and Egyptologist in Aswan and Luxor and our wonderful driver, whose name escapes me), for the two young sisters I met in the papyrus shop. I lift my prayers up for my friends.

Visiting With Our S.I.S.T.A. Scholars

 Greetings, Sojourners.....

We arrived at the school yesterday morning and spent time with our S.I.S.T.A. Scholars, taking photos, exchanging gifts, paying school fees, and making sure we covered any last minute requests for needed items before saying goodbye and boarding the coach for Mole National Park. We had a wonderful time last evening; the welcome celebration was inspiring, emotional and uplifting.

 Aminatu took me on a tour of the campus and the classrooms; I was able to see through her eyes, how she lives on the BOGISS campus. Like Aminatu, everything here seems so fragile, so temporary. As I walked around the campus, holding hands with my S.I.S.T.A. Scholar, I was reminded of the lengths that people will go to in order to secure an education. Being from the southern United States and having been born at a time in our history when the education of black folk was not a right, but a blood-soaked, hard fought priviledge, I shuddered just thinking about what we squander and waste in the US. Education is of pivotal importance to these girls, just as it was for young black kids growing up in the southern United States. It is still important, but you wouldn't know it considering how it is taken for granted these days. Although BOGISS is a public school, it is evident that these girls are acutely aware of the priviledge they have been blessed with to attend.

These girls understand how blessed they are to be in school. They represent the sacrifices made by their families. Mothers, fathers, aunties and uncles, grandmothers and whole villages have placed all their hopes on these girls.

I witnessed the girls push over each other to grab a desk and a chair to use in their classes. I was told that the First Year girls had to grab their desks and chairs, for if they didn't they would have to sit on the classroom floor for the entire school year. BOGISS is not blessed with the most modern technology or the sleekest school facilities. They don't have iPads or cell phone apps or flat screen TV's, laptops or even the most up to date lab supplies. What they have is sad, woefully inadequate, and beyond outdated. Head Mistress explained that the books in the library were from BEFORE Ghana gained its independence! There were reference books and encyclopedias from 1957 on the shelves.

The condition of the library caused all of us great concern. There really was no reason for it to be in this condition, even if the girls were just coming back from vacation. I felt that these rooms were not used at all, but were probably opened up for show for our benefit. The dust was thick, books obviously hadn't been opened and desked hadn't been used in probably years. Pages and pages from books were piled up on the floor as if torn and discarded by some very large, angry child. Something felt very wrong about this. I was very disturbed and very saddened by this scene. The stacks of books on pallets in the photos were current years' school books which were to be distributed to the students when classes resumed.

The chemistry lab and biology classrooms were just as bad. Everything was so outdated and in such a state of disrepair. Again, I had the nagging feeling that these rooms were never used by the students, but were opened up for us visitors. Even in light of the fact that the school had been on winter break, with classes scheduled to starte within a few days of our visit, I find it hard to believe that these classrooms had been used in the recent past.

I was left with a determination to help the girls at this school as much as I can and in any way that I can. We each paid the year's school fees for our S.I.S.T.A. Scholar and were told that the government had taxed an additional $60 CEDES or about $41 USD on to the tuition fees. This additional money was for 'construction improvements'. Aminatu's yearly fees, including the improvement tax was $197 CEDES or about $137 USD.

We were all very quiet as we left BOGISS. A myriad of emotions, thoughts, feelings, observations. The state of the classrooms, the educational environment, the dire need, all weighted heavily on each of us.