Photo Contest - Fall 2004

Third Prize

"A Wonder of Ghana"
Lisa Van Aernum
Ghana, Intersession 2004

Essay:

The title of this photo sums up what we saw on this sweltering hot day. "A wonder of Ghana." A guided hour long canoe ride through the jungle included bailing water with our shoes, followed by wading in knee-deep water that had poisonous snakes, which brought us to a sight that will not soon be forgotten; A unique village built on stilts in the middle of a large body or water. When we arrived, all of the people from the village welcomed u and let us walk around their village. We witnessed everyone from the village working with each other to get chores done. The small child in my arms (who could not have been more than three years old) was helping his mother by carrying a large bushel of branches on his head.

It was a small village, but they had everything they needed. We saw a small pub, schoolroom and guesthouse mixed in along bedrooms. One young teenage boy was so proud to show off his blasting stereo that he had somehow rigged up to a car battery and was playing music of Bob Marley. The young children of this village must learn to swim immediately after birth since there are no barriers or railings on the boardwalks, and parents let their children run around and did not seem worried at all. The children in Ghana were my favorite part. Ijust loved them! The children at this village were particularly charming. As the photo shows, they would just grab on to you and wanted to be held in your arms. It warmed my heart. They loved cameras and would jump up and down if you had a digital camera so they could see their image! It was so wonderful for the people of this village to let 25 American students stroll through their living quarters. By the end of my travels, Ghanaians' welcoming attitude no longer surprised me. The people of Ghana, Africa are the most friendly and hospitable people in the world.

Return to the Fall 2004 Study Abroad Photo Contest