The Ghana Chronicles: 4

Posted on July 8, 2020July 8, 2020 by Lauren

Dear Journal,

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

I wish I were at a cookout eating hotdogs, burgers and french fries with my family.

My host mother is trying to fill me up with food. I’m SOOO FULL! She thinks it’s cuz I don’t like the food but I do! I just don’t have room.

Yvonne [house servant] wrote me a really disturbing note about how she wanted to come to America with me and how she doesn’t like it here. I’m gonna write her back- but it’s really hard to deal with. I never realized how VALUABLE my country is. If I’ve learned anything it’s to appreciate America for everything. After I get out of here, I’ll have the utmost appreciation for the U.S.A.

July 4, 2000

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The Ghana Chronicles: 2

Posted on July 8, 2020July 8, 2020 by Lauren

Dear Journal,

These past 24 hours have been the hardest that I have faced in my lifetime. I am trying to get used to the culture and ways of my host family and trying to stay sane at the same time. Moving in with my family was the hardest transition yet. They do not understand why I eat so little and why I am so homesick, why I cry because I miss my mom and friends or anything else for that matter. I am hoping that as the days go by, it will get easier for me to cope with. As for now, it is hard to keep my eyes dry and a positive attitude on the situation. I’m scared for my safety in this neighborhood but more scared that I am or already have offended the family.

I miss my home so much. I miss everything about it. I miss my mom more than anything though, and I’d give ANYTHING just to have her here with me. I’ll never let go of her again, so long as I live. I want to spend every waking minute with her by my side.

July 1, 2000

The Ghana Chronicles: 1

Posted on July 8, 2020July 8, 2020 by Lauren

“I can’t believe Africa is to our south and that I’m headed home. Soon I will be sitting on my porch swing recalling a dream of mine that once became a reality for a small amount of time.” – July 29, 2000

20 years ago today, I boarded a plane that took me to Ghana, Africa for a month with the American Field Service. I took some time to pull out my memory box and revel in the memories of a defining moment in my life.

What I’ve written in the journal I kept every day is something that I realize now should be shared further. Not everyone has the privilege to live with a host family and experience a new culture in that way. So here’s the first of many to come!