We are done.

We are done all wells have been drilled. We are headed
to Cape Coast. We are staying at one of the Northern
Region homes as a thank you for the work we've done
in his village (what I wouldn't give for a hot shower).
We have done some amazing stuff for people that have
nothing or less.  The level of poverty is gripping yet
they are willing to give whatever they have in order to
keep their children safe.  I have seen the effect of what
unsafe water can do to a community.  I have seen Guinea
Worm emerging from the limbs of kids, and to be truthful
it's not the open flesh wound, it's not the site of a
parasite fighting to stay inside. It's the night screaming
of children in pain that makes you want to do more.
I am a changed man... more to come.

Map

Arece is now in Kumasi...if you click on the map it will get bigger.

The land of my ancestors

I have been out in the field for the past 5 days working my ass off. It
is so hot here that I'm certain that I have lost some tonage. In recapping
my journey up to this point - On Saturday we left Accra by plane to Tamale 1hr
30 min flight, that is in the Northren Region of Ghana and if I thought
it was hot in Accra well, to give you an idea of how hot it is my
Sure deodorant melted, and my toothpaste in the tube expanded.

This is not a place for the faint of heart, I am constantly reminded of Shelley, she
would kill herself if she had to deal with the bugs here. They have a
spider here that only comes out at night to eat other bugs, but it is so
big that it dwarfs the bigs spider you have ever seen. Totally harmless
to people,,,, unless you try to kill it once you smash it, it will sink
its fangs in and secrete a venom that makes whereever it's killed swell to
unbelieveable size so the best thing to do is let it pass. I have seen
some of the most unbelieveable things! And people, I think I've mentioned
the people but it's worth mentioning again. The people here are so nice
and friendly. While in Tamale I attend an Asanti Tribe graduation party
of a complete stranger (pix's to follow) at the party was the
Asanti chief and his 6 wives. Complete with the procession of available
women and men lots of dancing and eating I will never forget the moment
as long as I live. While on the subject of food, I have eaten more Guinea
Fowl than I care to. Its a small chicken-like bird. The other stuff,
well lets just say when I get home Tony Roma's here I come. The villagers
are so appreciative of the work we've done they cry - Chiefs and elders
alike.  I have to go I'll contuine to try and send pix's (3rd W).  

Arece made it to Tamale, the town of the first dig. He said he's so tired he could roll over and die. Hopefully more info to come, but here's the first photos!

Accra

Ok, lets see. This truly is the 3rd world - and all that implies. It's hot, we are only 5 degrees from the equator, so hot really isn't the word I would use, more like oven. I am in the capitol Accra, big city but remember 3rd world, with an British flair. I'm staying at the Hotel Frankie's here. The cool part is whenever you leave your room there is always three or four people waiting to show you around their city, but in a nice way. They want you to tell their story so more will come. I don't have pix yet I'm having a hard time getting them to download (3rd W). We will be in Accra for only 1 more day then we head north to Tamale to begin our first dig; I'm really looking forward to that. The people here are in such need that whatever you do is seen as an improvement for them. The strangest thing is that I'm in a place where everybody looks like me, so with that said Iwould encourage everyone of color to visit their homeland just once. I am in the birthplace of my ancestor's, and I feel their spirits calming me so I can say with all certainty I will be fine Leslie so don't worry.

Oops out of order, here's Arece at the airport with pep in his step. It was a cheerful bon voyage!

He made it!

Message from today...

Well, after 17hr flight I made to the land of my ancestors. I have to say this is a very different place. The first thing you notice is, it is so dark even in the city. However the people are so nice, sorry no pix yet we got in at night, I'll send more later.

On Sunday the WATER group got together and divided up all the toys, books and school supplies they're bringing to donate. His colleagues at Seattle Public Utilities also donated over $1,000.

Here's some of the stuff he's bringing. It's a veritable drug store!

Arece's African Adventure - Getting ready

Arece is getting ready for his trip, soaking his clothes in bug repellent (Sawyer's) and getting everything on the long list! His plane leaves this Wednesday. He'll fly into London, have a 6 hour layover, then on to Accra, the capital of Ghana.