Dove & Cocoa

Every day, the sun rises over a landscape I'm slowly growing to understand, a world filled with infinite possibilities. The streets are alive with the rhythm of lives unfolding, each person a story in motion. As a Peace Corps volunteer, my mission often feels like it's about grand projects and large goals, but the real essence of my work lies in the everyday interactions and the subtle exchanges that happen in between. 

I have learned that not every person I meet will become a lifelong friend or make headlines, but each one carries a unique narrative, woven with their dreams, struggles, and joys. Whether it's the elderly women selling vibrant fruits and vegetables in the local market or the young student dreaming of a better future, their stories are a crucial part of the tapestry of life here. 

There are moments when the weight of the world feels heavy, and I question whether my efforts make a difference. But then I see the small things—the smile shared with a neighbor, the gratitude in an individual's eyes when they grasp a new concept, the quiet not of understanding in a community meeting. These moments might seem fleeting, even insignificant, but they are, in fact, pivotal. They reflect the profound truth that change often starts in the smallest, most personal ways.

Every interactions is a chance to learn, to teach, and to connect. I've come to appreciate the beauty of the transient, the importance of being present even but for a second. It's not just about the projects or the programs; it's about the people who make up the community, and the brief intersection of our lives that, even if momentarily, contribute to a larger journey. 

So, while I might not always see the immediate impact of my work, I find solace in knowing that these encounters, these flashes of connections, are quiet ripples in a pond. Each interaction holds the potential to inspire change, however small, and sometimes, that's enough to keep going. 

In a world fraught with division and conflict, one truth stands clear and unwavering: strength lies in the pursuit of peace. Peace is not merely an ideal but a dynamic pursuit—a call to rise above the divisions that separate us. It transcends borders, surpasses the darkness of selfishness, and fosters a world of light and love.

Peace is more than the absence of war or violence; it is the presence of understanding, empathy, and cooperation. It is a guiding light that illuminates our path through the tumultuous waters of discord and division. In its essence, peace is a reminder of hope—the hope that exists in things that are, that were, and that which has not yet come to pass.

Every act of kindness, every gesture of solidarity, every effort to bridge divides is a step toward this profound state of harmony. Peace is the force that calls us to rise above our differences, to see beyond the barriers that separate us, and to embrace our shared humanity. It is a promise that, despite our varied backgrounds and experiences, we are united in our pursuit of a common good.

This pursuit of peace is not passive; it demands active engagement. It requires us to confront our prejudices, to put away all malice, to challenge the status quo, and to engage in dialogue with those who may seem different from ourselves. It is a call to action for every individual, community, and nation to contribute their strength, compassion, and hope toward creating a world where peace is not just a dream but a living reality.

The power of peace is evident in the countless stories of individuals and communities who have come together to make a difference. From grassroots initiatives to international collaborations, the pursuit of peace has led to remarkable transformations. These efforts remind us that peace is not a solitary endeavor but a collective journey, one that demands the commitment and cooperation of all.

As we look toward the future, let us remember that the pursuit of peace begins with each of us. It starts with our daily actions, our interactions with others, and our dedication to fostering understanding and respect. We have the power to make a difference—to build bridges where there is division, to heal wounds where there is hurt, and to create a world where hope shines brightly for all.

In this crucial moment, we must ask ourselves: Will we answer the call to pursue peace? Will we join hands in this noble endeavor and work together to build a better world?

The path to peace may be challenging, but it is a journey worth undertaking. Let us embrace this pursuit with unwavering resolve and a deep commitment to making our world a place where peace is not just an aspiration but a vibrant reality. Together, we can shape a future where light, love, and hope prevail.

The choice is ours. Let us choose peace.

As I stumbled out of bed, half asleep and groggy from a late-night reading binge, I never expected a showdown with a scorpion on my way to the bathroom. But there it was – small but menacing, its pincers raised as if daring me to come any closer.

Now, let me tell you something about myself – I am not one for bugs or creepy crawlies. Just seeing the little arachnid sent shivers down my spine and made every hair on my body stand up. But being the brave (or maybe foolish) person that I am, instead of running away screaming as the sensible person would do at 2 am in their pajamas, armed only with a broom, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

With shaky hands gripping the handle of said broom tightly enough that they turned white; my heart racing faster than Usain Bolt could ever run and adrenaline coursing through my veins like electricity – all thoughts flew out of my head except one – KILL THE SCORPION!

I cautiously approached it inch by inch until finally, I was a broom distance away. And then, with one swift motion, I brought the broom down on it like Thor’s hammer – or so I thought.

To my horror and dismay, instead of squishing the little bugger into oblivion as intended; it quickly darted away under my front door and out onto my enclosed porch. Panic set in as I realized that not only was this creature still alive but now it had escaped to an even bigger space where there were more hiding spots.

You are probably thinking problem solved, it is no longer in your house, let it be. But I say to you, NO! I could not accept this outcome because my porch is an extension of my living space. It is where I eat meals, entertain guests, and do my laundry. So, this was a battle to the end.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down before making any rash decisions that could result in either getting stung by said scorpion or burning down my entire house (yes, those were actual thoughts running through my mind at that moment). After gathering all of the courage left within me – which was not much considering how terrified I was – I grabbed another weapon from inside: a wooden stick.

With newfound determination fueled by fear, anger, and pure adrenaline: armed once again with something other than a flimsy broomstick, I followed the scorpion outside. It was now or never – either I kill it, or it kills me (okay maybe that is a bit dramatic but you get the point).

The porch light illuminated its tiny body as it crawled along the ground; almost taunting me with how easily and quickly it could move. But this time, there would be no escape for this little critter – not on my watch! With great strength, I swung down hard on top of the scorpion like Babe Ruth hitting a home run in baseball – except instead of sending a ball flying into space; I sent that pesky arachnid straight back to wherever hellish place from which it came.  

A sense of relief washed over me knowing that finally after what felt like hours (but realistically only about 5 minutes), the showdown between myself and this creepy crawler had come to an end.

Feeling victorious yet still slightly shaken up by the whole ordeal, all I could think was that this would be a story worth sharing with my friends and family. I am sure they will laugh, though I am grateful they were not here to witness what undoubtedly looked like a mad woman on the loose.

And in case you were wondering,  I made it to the bathroom eventually without further incident. 

Poison that is good for you? What is she talking about?

I do not blame you for asking these questions. They are perfectly reasonable responses to reading such a title but let me reassure you that you will desire it by the gallons once I have explained myself that is. For the poison I speak of will see you burst into fits of giggles, unable to contain your mischievous delight.

When we, and by ‘we’ I am referring to Peace Corps Volunteers, first enter our communities our main responsibility is integration. This entails making new friends, meeting local officials, and getting the lay of the land among other things. But one of the best ways in which we can fulfill the task of integration is by connecting with the children of the community. In truth, becoming children ourselves and shelving our adultness.

Acting like a child as an adult may seem counterintuitive to many, as society often emphasizes the importance of maturity and responsibility. The Peace Corps, however, has other ideas. Often challenging conventional notions of what it means to behave like an adult by encouraging volunteers to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the unknown. So, when a group of children came knocking at my door, well my window that is, I accepted the invitation to be a kid again.

To begin with, I was introduced to a game called Ampe. It is a one-on-one game that saw me jumping up and down while clapping. The idea is to put the opposite foot out from your opponent to gain a point but if you put the same foot out, they then gain a point. The first person to 10 wins. The child in me would like you to know the final score for the first and only game I played was 10 – 7, my way!

I had a perfectly wonderful time playing this game. At first, I did not understand the mechanics of jumping and clapping, and then sticking one’s foot out. The children got a fit of the giggles every time I messed up. But they were extremely patient and all too happy to show me a demonstration when asked.  

Next, we have Roza, Roza, Roza. This is a hand-clapping game that reminded me of playing Miss Mary Mack and Patty Cake when I was a child. It involves you and your partner locking your hands together and swinging them side-to-side. Then you begin to clap your hands together and in between hand clapping you touch your hip, chest, and forehead. There is no winner or loser, it is only played for good fun. The adult in me would like you to know that my hand-eye coordination failed me, which in turn had the children laughing in stitches.

Now – drumroll please – POISON! 

Poison is the final game of our laughable adventure. This game is like tag back in America but with a twist. It is played by multiple individuals grabbing the fingers of one individual's hand. This individual is responsible for saying ‘poison’ in between the player's response of counting to ten. The dialogue would be:

Player 1: ‘Poison’

Player 2: ‘One’

Player 1: ‘Poison’

Player 2: ‘Two’

Player 1: ‘Poison’

Player 2: ‘Three’

And so on until the count reaches ten. Once the count gets to ten you want to release your grasp on player one’s finger and run as quick as you can before he/she catches you. If you are caught, you now become the poison maker. There is also a part where you must crawl in between someone’s legs. Though I did not quite understand the rules for this section of the game, I am happy to inform you that I did not partake in any crawling between legs. Besides I question if I would have been able to get off the ground. I was terribly exhausted after the sixth round of this game.

As the sun began to set, I was tired, my feet ached from all that jumping and running, and I was hot and sweaty, and yes, I am pretty sure I was a bit smelly from all that sweat. But as the night drew near it was in that moment that I was reminded why children are so special and why they are undoubtedly the greatest teachers of life. They have a unique ability to see the world through a lens of wonder and curiosity, finding joy in the simplest of things. They remind us to live in the moment and focus on enjoying the present without worrying about the future. They connect with others genuinely and authentically, which leads to meaningful and long-lasting friendships.

I do not know what the future holds for me here but whatever lies ahead I know I will go forth with a spirit of adventure, empathy, curiosity, joy, collaboration, and community that is based on service, compassion, and social responsibility; and all because a group of kids came to my window and simply asked if I would come out and play. 

Naming ceremonies in Ghana are deeply rooted in the country's cultural traditions and play a significant role in the social fabric of society. It is an important event that serves as a way to introduce a new community member, typically a newborn. However, these ceremonies are held for outsiders such as myself who move into a community for a time. I was lucky enough to experience a naming ceremony last week and I would like to share this tradition and my experience with you today.

Now to the food, which plays a central role, with a lavish feast of traditional Ghanaian dishes served to guests. Special dishes such as jollof rice, fried plantains, and fufu are often prepared for the occasion, along with a variety of meats, soups, and stews. The food is shared among family and guests as a way to celebrate the new arrival and bring the community together in a spirit of love and unity. As stated, mine was a small intimate gathering and that day I was away the entire day on Peace Corps matters and did not get home until later in the evening, so the food for me consisted of meat pies and a Coca-Cola. Which was excellent!

Let us talk about the dough, the cheddar, the all-mighty dollar! In Ghana, their currency is known as the Cedi and at naming ceremonies it is usual for money to be given to the individual being named. It is a way of helping them on their path in life, not that dissimilar to receiving money inside a birthday card. What is unique about this particular part is that the money is stepped on by the person giving said money. It is a way of showing approval, of validating not just the individual being named but a means of injecting prosperity into the money. I received 150 cedi, which I am grateful for. 

I also received a bracelet, which coincided with me being told that my new name means - Strength, Courage, and Peace. 

By the end of the ceremony, a group of school-age girls sang a few songs, we laughed, ate some more, talked, and then went our separate ways. It might not have been grand or injected with copious amounts of rituals and tradition but it was a beautiful and meaningful celebration. One that saw me welcomed into the community with love and joy. As a cherished part of Ghanaian culture, for me, this ceremony serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of family, community, and tradition in celebrating new beginnings and honoring the circle of life.