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Sep. 04, 2000 Dear Friends, My time at Korle-Bu in Accra is coming to a close. Six weeks is a LONG time! I have made many friends during my time here, and have had many good discussions, both about religion and about healthcare, including some with officials who may be able to find long-term solutions to our snake anti-venin supply problems, so my time here has not been a total waste. I have also "enjoyed" the "cultural experience" of riding the tro-tros. Richard rode the tro-tros when he was waiting for the paperwork to be completed on our truck, when we first arrived in Ghana. He related learning about cultural priorities and lack of inhibitions as the talk radio topics for the day detailed methods for increasing a couple's fertility one day and focused on dealing with diarrhea on another, for example (not exactly what Americans would find appropriate to discuss with 19 people crowded into a mini-van). Lately, I have been the one without a vehicle. Travelling back to the guesthouse from Korle-Bu in taxis is considered rather extravagant (over $1 a trip), so I have been taking tro-tros most of the time, which pleases the other nurses and is far cheaper (14 cents). So, what is a tro-tro? The government has "privatized" public transportation in Ghana, so anyone who can put seats into a dilapidated small van or enclosed truck can run passengers across town. They have set routes and fees, but if the traffic is heavy or change is in short supply, either of these can be altered without notice. Tro-tros have a driver, who is also responsible for repairs and fuel, and a "mate", who recruits passengers, collects fares, and defends the interests of the tro-tro (often with his fists) in the event of a minor collision. Mates tend to be very aggressive, and will often grab a prospect's arm in an attempt to persuade her to choose his tro-tro (Richard never had this experience). Korle-Bu is a very busy stop, and rarely will a tro-tro leave it without the full legal compliment of 17 passengers (plus staff). On warm days, the first people to enter get a bit irritable if the recruiting process is prolonged. The older folks often comment on the lack of respect shown by the mates, who frequently jam at least one extra passenger into the small vans. Meanwhile, Richard and the kids have been on the main roads a lot, going up to Yendi as well as bringing me to Kumasi the last three weekends in a row to hand off jobs for the Primary Health Care Workers' course, which begins Monday. I am in charge of planning the course, but the teaching is being shared by quite a few people. Most of the classes Richard and I are teaching are in the final week, so we can go home to Yendi until then. Hurrah! Thank you for your prayers. In The Service of the King, |
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