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I was greeted by hugs and cheers and dusty children. It felt like home. I was back in Pokuase to work with the KamiAmi Women. My official mission this trip was "marketing and product development." It was a success on many levels, interspersed with the frustrations that seem to always occur when you are trying to make something happen in Ghana. |
Since I left in February, the women have met every Thursday and Friday, and have crocheted over 100 bags and purses. They are not all wonderful (by any means), but they have all learned and practiced, and sales have been made. They were proud. And I am proud of them.
Our three weeks together were busy. We designed our first official KamiAmi bag - called Mami Akua. It is a double-handled oval bag, crocheted of the ubiquitous black rubbers (plastic bags) and an accent color. All of the KamiAmi Women can now make this bag, the exact size, with good quality. And they can make many of them.
We had sales; we sold over $200 worth of bags to the visiting tourists. 90% of the money went directly to the women. 10% goes to the KamiAmi bank account. We devised a VERY simple bookkeeping system and have appointed a treasurer. We traveled to Accra to "make market," and left 30 bags on consignment in three tourist galleries.
We were joined by several teenage girls who live around the compound. At first they were just tolerated by the adults, and asked to do errands. It quickly became apparent that they also can develop good crocheting skills. They are now the KamiAmi Girls. Staying in school, studying hard, and doing their household chores is of prime importance, but crocheting the rubbers in their "leisure" time may be a very good way for them to earn some money. Each one of them got her very own crochet hook.
We also have a KamiAmi Boy. Meshark, aka NanaKwami, is 11 years old. His crocheting skills are phenomenal. He does all the KamiAmi errands with a big smile, and then is just happy to sit among us. He carries his crochet hook wherever he goes.
The inefficiency in Ghana can sometimes make you crazy. A good example was our inability to open a bank account for the KamiAmi Women. Here in the US, it would seem to be a simple thing to do, especially because we are under the umbrella of the WomensTrust (WT). After a week and a half of trying, with various mishaps, we finally got to the bank with the appropriate letter in hand. It looked promising. After waiting in six different lines, we realized we did not have our photos. (Photos??) Now I know why there is a passport photographer stationed right in the bank's front yard. Back in line. Where is our constitution? (What???) I offered to write one on the spot, but it needed to be typed. So we all head back to Pokuase. I wrote a constitution, and typed it in the WT office. Oops - no ink in the printer, probably won't be replaced for at least a day or two. Too late for me. I left the KamiAmi money and good luck wishes with the women.
It wasn't all work. I shared a room, frustrations, and an enormous amount of laughter with Judy Willsey, coordinator of World Class, a microlending affiliate of Womens Trust. Judy, Kristen Ash (WT staff) and I traveled to Nungua, where we spent a few days at Aba House, visiting and eating Talk True's great food. I took three Pokuase boys on a field trip to the art center in Accra; it was their first visit to the sea. And I helped to cook kpokpoi, the traditional food of Homowo, the annual harvest festival celebrated by the Ga people. It takes many days to prepare this special feast, and it is certainly worth the wait. There was a great celebration - cooking, eating, drinking, and dancing.
Now it is good to be home, safe and sound and clean again.
Special thanks to Susan Mayer for making this trip possible.
links:
KamiAmi blog
Womens Trust
The inefficiency in Ghana can sometimes make you crazy. A good example was our inability to open a bank account for the KamiAmi Women. Here in the US, it would seem to be a simple thing to do, especially because we are under the umbrella of the WomensTrust (WT). After a week and a half of trying, with various mishaps, we finally got to the bank with the appropriate letter in hand. It looked promising. After waiting in six different lines, we realized we did not have our photos. (Photos??) Now I know why there is a passport photographer stationed right in the bank's front yard. Back in line. Where is our constitution? (What???) I offered to write one on the spot, but it needed to be typed. So we all head back to Pokuase. I wrote a constitution, and typed it in the WT office. Oops - no ink in the printer, probably won't be replaced for at least a day or two. Too late for me. I left the KamiAmi money and good luck wishes with the women.
It wasn't all work. I shared a room, frustrations, and an enormous amount of laughter with Judy Willsey, coordinator of World Class, a microlending affiliate of Womens Trust. Judy, Kristen Ash (WT staff) and I traveled to Nungua, where we spent a few days at Aba House, visiting and eating Talk True's great food. I took three Pokuase boys on a field trip to the art center in Accra; it was their first visit to the sea. And I helped to cook kpokpoi, the traditional food of Homowo, the annual harvest festival celebrated by the Ga people. It takes many days to prepare this special feast, and it is certainly worth the wait. There was a great celebration - cooking, eating, drinking, and dancing.
Now it is good to be home, safe and sound and clean again.
Special thanks to Susan Mayer for making this trip possible.
links:
KamiAmi blog
Womens Trust