by Julie Boyer

Today we saw first hand the Airfield school.  We rolled to a stop at the side of the road, and peered out the window to see the now empty space beneath the meager thatch and aluminum covered buildings- more like tents to us- that the children were schooled in last year.  last year, we met with the kids and played games, and led them through crafts projects.  It rained heavily that day, as it does all the time in the rainy season, and we were told children don’t come to school when it rains.  We could see why.  You couldn’t take two steps without either losing your shoe in the mud or slipping and falling on your behind.

But today, beyond the buildings the school used to use, there are three gleaming buildings painted in two-tone blue with beautifully made stained wooden shutters.  We could tell just from viewing the outside what a different place this must be to learn in.  And when we thought about building this place start to finish, from mixing the concrete to installing the roofs and painting the surfaces, we were all pretty amazed. 

Next Mr Forson took us down the street to meet the actual students who reside in the community.  We met parents and students, and were introduced by Mr Forson.  We said a few words about how happy we were to hear that the school is making a positive impact on the community, and then heard from a few of the students.  Mr Forson translated for us. The students thanked us, said they were happy to have a school like that to go to, and explained that that now they go to school when it rains.  Given how often it has downpoured since we have been here, I’m thinking those rainy days could have wiped out a good portion of the school year.

Note: Jule Boyer is facilitating a group eight volunteers on a three week trip to Ghana to conduct workshops at the Bishop Forson School Complex. On Saturday they took a trip to see the Airfield School near Ho.