The December 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference was a landmark because countries such as the US, China, and India finally joined most of the rest of the world in an action plan to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. In addition, the Green Climate Fund was established to assist developing countries to adapt to the effects of […]
Category: Ghana
Some of life’s turning points are predicable. If you are a senior in college, you know your life will be irrevocably changed on graduation day. Wedding days are planned a year in advance. Other turning points come unexpectedly: you fall in love, someone proposes to you. Many turning points occur early on in your life. […]
Where were we in Ghana?
We flew into Accra and spent the night. Then we flew up to Tamale and spent the night. Then we drove to Bugeya and spent the day and a night. Then we drove for three hours to Kpatia and spent the day and night. Then we drove back to Tamale where we spent three days […]
Open defecation is a major challenge in poor countries, but Dr. Philip Darko, of Catholic Relief Services, glows with pride as he shows off a newly built latrine for school children in the far northern section of Ghana. He explains with glee how the vent pipe of the pit latrine was built so that flies that […]
Just as mosquito nets or polio vaccines are essential for keeping families healthy, free menstrual pads should be viewed in the same way. Kelly Parsley, chair of public health sciences at Carroll College (Montana) and chair of the Lewis and Clark County Board of Health, came to that conclusion after visiting villages in the northern region […]
It was as if they were carrying something sacred. The first woman brought forward a blue metal box, the size of a toolbox, but with three brass padlocks on three of the sides. She placed the box on a plain wood table. She was followed by three women. The first woman, tall and striking in a […]
First of all, I wouldn’t presume to know the answer to that question, but here is a little of what we 11 university professors working with CRS have learned so far. We have met with and spoken to some remarkable young women who have impressed us all with their intelligence, poise, and forthrightness. Our group’s […]
Yesterday and today we 11 university professors traveling with Catholic Relief Services in Ghana were warmly welcomed by village chieftains and Muslim imams. We entered the chieftain’s home on Monday and the imam prayed with and for us. In return the CRS representative presented our thanks. As we sat together both days, we, as a […]
It’s about the children
When you come right down to it, it’s for the children. We were able to sit with these young children here. We also spent time sitting and talking with teen boys and girls like these. When you do that, you can see the universal hope that parents have for their children. Today in the village of […]
CRS Water 101
The 11 university faculty from around the US all brought considerable background to water, sanitation, and health (WASH) issues. We come from around the US and were selected by CRS for an 11-day immersion into its approach to WASH in Ghana. We are professors and researchers in engineering, marketing, peace building, public health, environmental science, […]
Our day starts with a shower
Our day started at 6 a.m. at a hotel in Baltimore. Our CRS organizer, Kim Lamberty, and her diligent assistant, Gladys Files, had found a more-than-comfortable hotel for our one night in the city before we – 11 professors from around the country – departed for Ghana to study water, sanitation, and hygiene. My hotel […]