We are “far small” from heading home after an amazing six week
global health experience. We will be sure to take a few charming Ghanaian catch
phrases home with us:
“Far small” – This may mean 5 minutes or an hour, 5km or 100km
“Selfies with Safu” – A laboratory technician from the Enchi
clinic who takes the best selfies ever (see below)
 |
| Selfies with Safu 10 of us in the van to Kumasi |
"Ayeeeee" - said as an exclamation after something interesting or surprising, which in our case was everything.
“Nahhhhh” – this is said after almost anything; the definition remains
unknown.
“No please” – this means no, politely
“Oburini” – this means white person and was often used in place of
our names
“Wow” – used frequently to acknowledge our names, a picture taken,
any interesting or unusual statement
“Shake me” – meaning the desire to shake your hand
“I’m fine” – the response to all greetings, whether “how are you?”
was asked or not
“You are mostly welcome” – every person we encountered would
warmly welcome us to their community with this phrase, charmingly mistaking ‘mostly’
for ‘most’
We will miss all the amazing people and the incredible sense of
community. We will also miss their strength, utter selflessness, and devotion to
the well-being of their community. We have gained insight and knowledge in
regards to global health and another culture’s way of living. We've appreciated
the opportunity to witness another health care system and have a new
appreciation for our own. We have a new awareness of our privilege in Canada,
including our education system and a healthcare system abundant in resources. We
have met some amazing people, doing amazing work to better healthcare in Ghana,
and we will never forget them. We are grateful for this experience and all that
we have learned. We look forward to sharing our stories and experiences upon
our return to Canada.
Thank you for following our journey,
Kyla, Samaya, Christina, Nicole, Jeanette
Dear UBCO Ghana Nursing Team,
ReplyDeleteAyeeee, you have told us some remarkable, incredible stories. I have finally had a chance to read them all and catch up with your amazing Ghana journey. It is like surveying a rich landscape of life through your eyes - and marvelling at what you have been able to be part of.
It seems clear that Ghana has captured each of you in a unique way, and shaped the nurses you are all about to become. When you come home, I look forward to hearing more, and asking you what you would tell your fellow students who are thinking about requesting the privilege to go on this kind of Global Health practicum. What would you tell them now that you could not have imagined before you went? What has it changed in you, and for you, as you move ahead into the nursing profession? What part of Ghana and its people has become a part of you?
Wishing you all safe travels home, and many more rich nursing journeys in the years ahead for each of you,
Tricia Marck