Our Investments

October 9, 2010
Day 22 – Our Investments

Back in 1997, I remember meeting Brother Shabazz and Amikai here in Ghana. They are both from the States and lived together in Pedu (part of Cape Coast). Shabazz was selling vegetarian plates on his scooter and had been in Ghana about 3 years by then. Amikai had been there about the same and he was a taxi Driver and musician. We really appreciated Shabazz’s food for the variety, but it started to get expensive ordering plates from him. I can recall asking them if they are still making money in the States and they told me that people send money here and there, but for the most part they were working for cedis then. I looked at how hard the living was in Ghana back then if one was not middle class or wealthy. It was back then that I decided that until I had a strong financial plan, that I would not be relying on the cedi to exist in Ghana. It is still my philosophy today. Whenever I am coming to the end of my time here in Ghana, my money gets low and I start counting my cedis very closely. I get this feeling over me like what if I don’t have any more dollars to pull from in order to make it through. It’s an anxiety that leads me to thinking I have NO WAY of making any money here if my money runs out. This Farm, Ocean Breeze and a small thing or two HAS TO WORK! I can’t allow my “U.S. Financial Boogieman” to enter my Ghana world. If THAT happens, then I won’t even be able to SEE the SEA (Ocean) as I SEE it today.

Today, I worked for hours on Kofi’s personal budget in Excel. He had a hard time with the concept of ‘averages’. He overstands how to get averages and what it is, but the concept that this number that we are entering in as his monthly budget had him twisted. He kept saying, “It’s not always that I spend this much in a month.” I would bring him back to the school example that I used, “Did the student get an ‘A’ EVERY term?” Until finally, I just had to threaten him when I thought he was going to say it…”If you say that it’s not always…ONE MORE TIME!” You know Esi was loving those moments. Anyway, we finally made it through and I am fully aware that he is not being paid enough for what he is doing; and the expenses that he has taken on should not be incurred by him. He is borrowing money from people on a regular. I pulled out what should be OBey’s and OYC’s expenses and then told him that I was going to make a recommendation to the Board to give him an increase in his salary. He was pleased initially, but also added “Thank you, but you know what I want you to do? I want you to give me THIS number for 3 months, UP FRONT.” I said, “Yeah Kofi, plenty people would like to get 3 months advance on their salaries, but it doesn’t work like that Son. So, even though we have been taking care of you all of these years, you have a decent salary now. You have to go to other sources to help you to get ahead financially; unless I come to you with a profit making idea.” He overstood. But it was more bitter herbs of reality. Dad gave him a potential raise and bitter herbs, together. I love the Family Business.

We heard from the New Brenu Chief that the Surveyor that we have been waiting on has returned to Elmina. We called our Surveyor and they will meet on Monday to finalize our indentures for the Ocean Breeze property and the addition that we added to it. THANK YOU. Please let them ACTUALLY DO THIS. It’s been too long now that these indentures have been incomplete. All they need are like 4 signatures in order to file with Lands Department. The new Chief won’t sign nor have his people sign until he has his Surveyor look over the papers to make sure everything is on the level. I can dig it when you are new, but Damn, almost a year of this?! So, put the prayers out for that Family.

Then Kofi and I laid out the plans to grade the OB property so that we can begin the landscaping of the land. Coconut trees, palm trees, Pineapple farm and grass. We need to meet with a bulldozer Operator nearby to negotiate the fee. Once THAT is done, then we will be able to beautify the property. The pineapple farm has inspired us to talk about the 20 acres of land that looks very promising this trip. We decided to go up there and take a look and to flash some photos. I was still concerned about how we are going to relocate all of those farmers that I saw up there last year. When we started in the bush to walk the 20 acres I was OVERJOYED to see that there were NO FARMS there. WHAT?! I learned that all of that land is community land and until there is a major project designated for it, the community just does some farming here and there. So the land is not a ‘conflict land’ at all. YES!!! First thing we are going to do here is to grade and FARM IT. We are in a farming village. Let’s FARM!

In fact, I had one of our Caregivers come up to OB land today to talk to us about the Pineapple Farm on the Ocean Breeze land. He has a 3 acre Pineapple Farm and knows the ins and outs of raising Sugar Loaf Pineapples. He said he only has 3 acres because he is old now, but he used to work a much larger farm. As we discussed the estimate that his Daughter, Stella, brought up to me the other day, I questioned the price for the Pineapple suckers (starter plants). I asked him if it would be possible to solicit the Caregivers and community to donate suckers to OBey and let us see how much we can raise before we go out and purchase any. He agreed and we decided to bring that up at tomorrow’s meeting. Our goal is to plant 4,000 Pineapple suckers on the OB land and if all goes well tomorrow, we can potentially get that project going this week before I leave. Next year this time, we will have our own Pineapples.
Back to the Youth Complex land (20 acres). Kofi and I found a ladder and put Kofi up on the roof of the school to get a good photo of the land. The roof was not high enough to get the proper perspective. So we went back up our hill and went to a clearing to take it from there. I was surprised to see that Brenu has sold a lot more plots up on the hill near us. There are people using our road on a regular now with their building projects and Surveyors. They have nice views like ours too. Well as far as I can see, NO ONE has the amount of beachfront land that we currently have though. I am working hard to finish the indentures on our current land so that we can purchase the plots right next to OB. If I am successful in getting that, then there will be about 1 acre or 4 plots that will be available for the family to build on. So again family, put the prayers out and think about whether you are serious about your plot or not.

Mercy and Stella came up while Kofi and I were in our budget meeting. I didn’t know they were here until the water truck came. They are so beautiful. I am so touched by Mercy and this baby though. She is already living a hard life and I wonder if she will indeed be able to make it back to school AND take care of a new baby. Technically, she should not be an OYC youth anymore, but we’ll see. These are my youth.


So the water is running out today. We had to call the water guy to come back. He already tried the other day, but because the ground was soft from the rain, he couldn’t make it up our hill. It was the funniest thing watching these boys climb up on our water tank and fill our tank up with water from this hose that was giving off pressure like the Fireman’s hoses. At one point the hose got away from them and it DRENCHED them and flew out of their hands and onto the ground. YES, I am paying for all of that wasted water. Anyway, it all worked out and we are definitely putting together plans to get connected to the pipe water coming into the village from the main line. It will save us a bundle of money.

Jenny Trotro left out of here on the back of Kofi’s moto; headed to the junction to catch a Trotro to Busua Beach Resort. This was her first time on his bike and it was giving him some problems. It was so funny watching her with her nervous smile and Kofi’s taped up Moto stalling on the way down the muddy driveway. TEARS were POURING down my face!!! LOL!! Unfortunately, I took the photo with her camera, so you all will have to wait until she returns to see the photo. She is staying there for a day or two.

I talked to Esi today about when she will be ready to go to school. She told me maybe next week. I asked her, “What about Monday?!” She just looked at me like a deer in headlights and said, “Ok.” She was clearly stunned. I am sending her out to buy her supplies tomorrow so that she can go to school the latest by Tuesday. If you notice by my different deadlines, I am trying to wrap everything up this week because I head to Accra on Wednesday and catch my flight on Thursday morning. My time is a snap away from being done. I am usually a bit disappointed with how much I DIDN’T accomplish during my month long journeys here. But after I jotted down all that had been done up to that point in that journal entry last week, I am convinced that we got a lot accomplished this time. I am not satisfied, but I am NOT disappointed either. I hope that makes sense to you.
No beach today, but I will try to get there tomorrow. I MUST BE working to not be on the beach everyday! There had better be some accomplishments around here for me to be sacrificing THAT time with Mommy Waters like this! LOL!!!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family.

He's One of Us!

                                         

October 8, 2010
Day 22 – He’s One of Us!


Have you ever wondered where your Ancestors come from? I mean the exact country, village, house that they came from? I have always wondered that for myself; especially, once I learned of my African heritage. Then, once I learned of how Africans throughout the Diaspora were getting insight through DNA testing, that ‘wonder’ became a BURNING DESIRE. I found out my linkages to Africa on my Mother’s AND Father’s side through the DNA testing. My Mother’s side linked me with the revolutionary Balantas of Guinea Bissau and my Father’s linked me to a Central Africa Republic nation that is linked to the Twa people. The exact name of the nation escapes me at this time. I have plans to visit Guinea and Guinea Bissau next year to meet my peeps and reconnect with my roots so that I can continue to tell the story. It is so empowering as an African born in America to be able to know and speak out the exact linkages of MY Ancestors.

We are taking Jen to Last Bath in Assin Manso. We called Daniel the Driver, who I just learned during this trip, is Isaac’s older Brother. Isaac is the Teacher that I asked to help out Esi and that we want to replace Esther when she leaves. Daniel is real laid back and cool; but has always taken care of me whenever I needed to go somewhere long distant and didn’t want to spend a lot of money. I hadn’t seen him this trip, so I thought he traveled. When Kofi couldn’t find a Driver to take us to Last Bath at a reasonable price, Esther called and gave us Daniel’s new number.

When we arrived at Last Bath, I was reminded that this would be Kofi’s first trip here. Also, Daniel decided to take the tour with us this time rather than stay with the car. I could see throughout the tour that the information was touching Daniel. It was so inspiring to watch the way that the tour was stimulating Kofi and Daniel that my wheels were turning in my head. I am beginning to see what Dr. Perbi was talking about when she said that we need to develop our own curriculum and program to teach Ghanaians as well about this Slave Route. I have been here so many times that they know me very well here. The Office Manager asked if I would like to conduct the tour or should he. I am flattered whenever they ask me that, but I always defer to them because I always learn something new with each tour that I take. Jen was very pleased with the tour and said to me,”It’s all coming together for me now, Kojo.” That was a blessing to hear. If she only knew that once most Europeans visit the Castle Dungeons, they don’t want to go any further with the heritage tour. I will have to share that with her. So, she will be another promoter for truth.
I went to the tour Manager to find out about the fee and he sent me to one of his Staff people. Before he went to his office he told his staff, “Please take anything Kojo Bey wants to give, because he is one of us; we can’t charge him.” Ase! Music to My Ears! Ahhhhhhhh…

As we approached our turn off to Brenu, we passed the village by the police barrier and we see people lined up on the sides of the road. We notice a body of a man on the ground dead from what seems like a hit and run. Daniel stopped to see what happened and who it is. I didn’t need to know anything so I tuned it out. But I thought about how here in Ghana, a dead body is BIG news when it doesn’t come as a result of sickness or old age. Well, funerals are a BIG deal as well, but I mean people are not being killed or dying violently on a regular basis like other nations. It is sad to see that this man has lost his life like he did, but this incident has also raised my consciousness even more to how much I love the peace here in Ghana. A peace that I pray will prevail throughout Ghana’s pursuit to court America and find its way with its newly found OIL.
I end my day, by walking Sista Esther and Otwidom home and on my way back, I find my chest thumping from the bass of the sound system blasting through the village from the site of the second funeral in a week here. The Elders are crossing over and the young people here are NOT stepping it up. They are drinking, smoking wee (Herb), and hanging out. The funerals last for days here. They play loud music continuously for about 3 days. It’s a beautiful sight to see how we celebrate our people’s going home ceremonies here, but we have to do something about the next generation. Sound familiar family. LOL!!!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family.

Wrapping It Up

October 7, 2010
Day 21 – Wrapping It Up

It is at this time during my month long journeys here when I feel the pull from my family in the States. It’s not a bad thing. I know that with us having such young children, my presence is needed more than if they were older. I miss everyone and look forward to sharing face to face with the family. It’s only a week from now that I will be waking up in U.S.A. airspace again. It’s time for me to wrap up these loose ends here.

Today we went to Takoradi to see a Vocational Training school for Esi. WHOAH, that Trotro ride. The Driver was arguing with his ‘Mate’ (Assistant to Driver who calls out the stops and takes money). Later he was arguing with passengers about fares. He pulled over twice to argue with folks. The Ghanaians are very afraid of accidents so most were trying to squash the arguments so that the Driver could focus on the road. What a trip. But we finally made it safely. Me and these Trotros. I have named Jen, “Jenny Trotro” because she seems to be in harmony with them. We were working on arrangements to travel somewhere and she didn’t want to spend too much on a private car, so she and Kofi were going back and forth about different modes of transportation to bring the price down. Any time they would bring Trotro in as a mode, I would take myself out of the journey. So Jen says, “Oh Kojo, I didn’t know you were so tender.” I told Jenny Trotro that I have had my share of Trotros over my 13 years of traveling here to Ghana. My Trotro days are coming to a full stop. We all laughed, and then they started trying to find a way to get a private car. LOL!!!
The Admission Director at the school in Takoradi was very informative and patient with us. We had a lot of questions and she was making special concessions for Esi since she has been out of school for so long. Also her final JSS score was very low. So the concern is if she will be able to handle the academic aspect of the curriculum. She will take catering, but once she completes the academic portion of the curriculum along with the catering studies, she will be eligible to go on to a Polytechnical School. Polytech is like going on to a University after High School but from the Vocational Training school. If she doesn’t do well on her entrance exam then she will have to go on the track that will focus mostly on the catering rather than both academics and the trade. If she only focuses on the trade, then she will NOT be eligible for Polytech after graduating. I don’t like that. So we will have to talk about that. I paid for her admission application (10 cedis…WOW…expensive ink and paper…LOL!) and we’re OUT. They only have one bed left at the hostel (dorm), so we have to move fast.


Esi is very excited. I spoke to one of the Brenu JSS Teachers that came by today to help Esi review her math and English. They started right away. The Teacher is Isaac, and he is the one that we want to take over Esther’s position with OYC after she leaves to join her Husband in Accra. Esther has been working with Isaac for years and I have always liked his energy and passion for the youth.
Once we returned, I checked my emails and saw that the Farm Consultant, Mr. Kwame, had emailed me saying “Hi Kojo,Since paying has become an issue I have provided some answers as per attached to end the debate. The meeting then will not be necessary.
Let me know if you have other questions through the mail.
Thanks
Kwame”
AND he CC’d Mr. Appiah, which led me to believe that our Gov. Official STRIKES AGAIN!!! Or it could’ve been my back and forth with him about his fee. Or maybe a combination of the two. Either way, he sent me all of the answers to my questions without me having to pay and travel to Accra. The answers were very informative and have impressed me enough to secure him as our Consultant. He told me that we will meet before I leave for the States to get things started. The biggest reality of the mango cropping that has come out of my initial inquiries is that we won’t see commercial yields until 6 years after the initial planting. So, we will have to plant other crops like Pineapple to get the program going. This is a serious project and I am convinced that we will need a Consultant like this to help us reduce our overall risk with this investment. I feel good about this relationship.

Jen is doing a great job with the youth at the school. She is really enjoying herself and the short amount of time that she is working with them will leave a long lasting impression on them. We are enjoying the stories about her daily fitness and reading classes. I would love to have an ongoing cycle of volunteers coming through to help out with our youth here. There are so many youth at the school and they need more than what they are getting in the current curriculum.

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family

Stepping It Up!

October 6, 2010
Day 20 – Stepping It Up

I feel my time slipping away from me now. It feels like we have so much unfinished business left still. I wonder if I will be plagued with this feeling wherever I travel.

I confirmed my meeting for Sunday morning in Accra with the Farm Consultant today. He and his partners are currently working on a 20,000 acre mango farm for the Government; and export deals with UK clients. This came out after he and I had a few exchanges about his up front Consultant fee. He assured me that he could take care of our 200 or less acre project. LOL!! I can take the sarcasm. I had better, I give it enough. Anyway, Mr. Appiah vouched for him, so I was just working him to see how tight he is. I love having a Government Official to call and who actually answers my calls and calls me back. I need one or two in the States. I remember when we were living in Vegas and I had the Brothers at City Hall ‘on lock’. Anything I needed was just a phone call or an office visit away. But then again, I was also under surveillance for all of the community work I was doing, so I’ll just stay with the Ghana Officials for now. LOL!!

So, I heard one of the funniest stories since I have been here this time. Esther came over after school and was telling me about the PTA meeting that took place at the school today. Aggie is no longer the President. A female relative of the guy with a Hummer that came back from S. Africa a few years ago, and who wanted to take over Brenu’s land, is President now. We will call her relative “Hummer Man.” So the new PTA President is known for boasting about her rich relative that has really done well for himself and what he promises to do for his family. In fact, when Hummer Man came back from S. Africa, he found Nana Brempong, who had left the village, and bought him a car, a Driver and fixed up his palace (Bribe). They got him to sign some papers and were ready to take over all of the land in Brenu and redistribute it. WHAT?! The community went CRAZY!! Long story short, Nana claimed that he did not agree to that and it went to court. This guy had a site plan done of the entire village by using a helicopter to take photos. Yes, Hummer Man is BALLIN’. Anyway, he didn’t win and he ended up taking his car, Driver and furniture from the palace, back…LOL!!! Nana was dismissed from the palace by the Paramount Chief in Elmina and sent back to his other village. Hummer Man had some of his people in place here to stay in the ears of the Elders and community. Good Ole Brenu. Nothing was moving and so they got frustrated and left. I was getting nervous that these guys were about to take over. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago when I arrived that I heard that Nana Brempong and his family had returned. That is why I was so excited then.
So, getting back to my story. The relative of Hummer Man is boasting now about her son getting the highest score upon completing JSS (middle school). The lower the score, the better. One of our OYC girls, Florence, for example got a very low score of 30. Stella and Noel got pretty good scores of 23 and 21. Her son got a 17. He is sure to get into a top Senior Secondary School. Esther continues with the story by then telling me that the woman pulled her aside and asked her “So what will OBey do for him to continue his education at Senior Secondary School?” I said, “Hummer Man’s relative is asking OBey for Assistance?! We need HIS assistance!!” I just laughed and shook my head. We talked about that all night. She also told me that she took advantage of the opportunity to start my campaign for Nkosohene of the village. That is the Developing Chief of the village. The one that is in charge of bringing progress to the village. Esther said that the committee was excited about the idea and will revisit making the recommendation to the Elders. Someone from the community has to make the recommendation and usually the prospect doesn’t know about it. But in this case, Brenu needs much help, so I talked to Esther and Kofi about this last year and we couldn’t do anything then because no one was on the stool. So now that we have Nana back on the stool, we have someone that has supported us from the very beginning. So yes Family, it does appear that I am entering the Political Arena. Only this will be OBey style of Politics. We're stepping it up! LOL!!
                            
Stella and Noel come by to see me every day. Today, they brought their graduation certificates. I am very proud of them. They are our top OYC students. We have to make sure we do all that we can to assist them with their pursuit for higher learning. They’re success means our success. I love this. I love them. And I love Afrika.

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home”

Love Family

Waiting Game

October 5, 2010
Day 19- Waiting Game

It’s slow progress here in Ghana when you are one, relying on others to move you forward. Two, when you DON’T HAVE A CAR. The two sound similar, huh? It will indeed be a different Ghana when we get an automobile, but I’d suspect Ocean Breeze would not get my saturated energy then.

Today is a mellow day. I am getting accustomed to working from the office like at home in the States. The difference is that most of my contacts here are not on the computer; so most contact is on the phone or you have to run out to meet with people. I did hear from the Farm Consultant today though, via email. I requested a meeting as soon as he could make it happen. He asked about Sunday morning at 8:30am. That will work. Accra, I’m COMING! I look forward to completing that task. I also spoke with Cecilia at Social Welfare. She and I are scheduled to meet at 4pm today.
After hanging out with the guests for some time this morning, I made my moves to the school to pick up Esther so that we could go to Cape Coast for some supplies. After we did our window shopping, I dropped her off at the Sabre Trust office. I met with the Director, Aubry, there. He is always interested to speak with me or to others about me because of his long history with Brenu. He is open and willing to offer up any assistance that we need so it’s not a problem sharing with him. They are doing some good work here in the Central Region with building schools and training Teachers. He said he reached out to us via email and didn’t get a response. I told him that his email must not have reached my Assistant or her reply didn’t reach him; because we would never ignore someone’s message to us. He seemed to be relieved to hear that from me. I know he was because I had already heard this from at least two others. So, he must have felt like we were snubbing his help after meeting him at Ocean Breeze last year. Kofi also told me that he was VERY interested to know what we were paying him for his services at Ocean Breeze. What duties has he been responsible for, etc… Kofi said he felt uncomfortable with the questions and told him he would rather Mr. Aubry speak to his Dad about all of that. Good Job, Son! Anyway, he will be reaching out to us again with some contacts that may be able to assist us with the clean water component of our OYC program.
I went to KEEA afterwards to meet with Social Welfare. It is 3:15 and I am taking a chance to see if Cecilia is in. I would love to meet with her early and get back home to OB at a decent time. She is not in and now the Waiting Game. I was on my way out to tell the Driver that we will have to wait and I bumped right into her. I was very happy to see her. We sat and caught up on policies and OBey Foundation’s paperwork. She said we are just about at the place that we need to be to be able to operate as a full NGO that will be able to solicit for benefits for our youth as their Guardians. I also spoke to her about our Child Rescue mission in the Volta Region. She was very interested to hear that some of the children are trafficked from the Central Region. I told her about our treatment team and she knows all of the players well. She agreed to be a part of our treatment team. I acknowledged that I know how busy she is and wondered how many other Social Workers could she assign to us whenever she is too busy to work with our youth. She told me that she is the ONLY Social Worker in our District. WOW…She’s busy.

I traveled back to Brenu and instantly got back into Baba mode. I had a meeting with Papa Mensah about business runnings and his Cousin, Gifty. Another meeting with Mercy about her Boyfriend not coming to see me today. After a meeting with the Eghans last night, we all feel like there has been some progress made. They called Gifty after my first meeting with them and spoke to Gifty about all that I brought to them. They also spoke with the Woman that Gifty is staying with, which surprised me. Gifty’s Mother told Gifty that she needs to pay and that I have threatened to report her to Immigration if she doesn’t. Apparently, both Gifty and the Woman have agreed. So the Eghans felt good about that. Gifty’s Mother even seemed a bit more humble today. We will see once I meet with Gifty when I return to the States.
I told Papa Mensah that he and his family need to be a part of helping Gifty to be accountable for her debt just as they were an active part of her getting to America. He agreed and they will keep in touch with her…Just in case she decides to…RUN. LOL!

My Mercy has walked up the Mountain to see Daddy and explain why the Father of her pregnant belly has not shown up to see me today. She had the number to his Father’s cell in her hand. The Father is apparently the Chief of one village in Elmina and the family is Muslim. Mercy told me that the guy, Muhammed, was scared to come to see me today, so he wanted me to talk to his Father. I tried his Father right then and no one answered. We tried again about a ½ hour later and the phone was turned off. So, I know his village; I will stop by or continue to call until I reach the Father. I’m standing there looking at Mercy with her full belly as she is telling me about this guy’s worries of me; thinking, I have SIX GIRLS.

Tonight is the last night for Josh and Allie. They are heading up to Kumasi, Mole, Tamale and then back to Accra to catch their flight back to Mali. It has been good having them here. They have gained some valuable tools through their service work in the Peace Corp. I am amazed at how much of the Malian culture these two young people have been exposed to. But that would be the case when you live with a host family in the village. I am encouraged that my young people will one day see the value in service work and learning about cultures that aren’t so close to home. But for now, let’s start with learning and loving their own.

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home!”

Love Family

Chop Shop

October 4, 2010
Day 18- Chop Spot

I can just imagine what it will be like to finally have an OYC facility to work out of. Even though I am not running around today, the office door is open and closing all day. Well actually, if I can get the restaurant OUT of my office then perhaps I won’t need to put my ‘In Prayer’ sign out as much. LOL!

I am encouraged today that our expansion plans are going to work out just fine. The patience that I and you all have prayed for has kicked in for me and I have calmed down a bit. I spent some serious time today looking at our OYC plan and what we set out to accomplish during this journey. We have a Farm Consultant on the job to help us develop our farming project. I will visit him within the week to tour a farm and walk away with the necessary information to complete our Mango Farm Business Plan. We have two farming sites that we plan to have the Agriculture Department conduct soil tests at. I have met with an Executive Officer of the IOM about our Child Trafficking Rescue Mission. I know that he and his organization will be of great assistance, but I know that I will have to go at it from a grassroots perspective. That organization is large and very political. They will frustrate me and I will come out of my mouth with some not so nice stuff. So, it’s better that we work together from a distance. I am going to send Kofi and maybe a local Fisherman up there to Yeji to do some investigating to get the ins and outs of the situation up there. I will also have them go up to Salaga, which is not far from Yeji to solicit for assistance from our Slave Route friend in the village. He will more than likely know the language and culture of Yeji since they are so close. Also, Zebulan is from that area and has family all over that area. She called me recently and told me that she would like to assist with that mission on the Volta because of her connection there. She is in Canada right now, but can navigate through her family to assist.
We have identified 4 new villages to expand OYC services to and 3 of them have completed the first phase of the expansion plans. This has increased the numbers of youth that we provide full services to from 30 to approximately 200. When adding in those benefitting from clean water, the number of people that we will serve now is more like 4,500. We have OYC Supervisors and Teachers in each village. We have met with Nana Brempong and the new Administration for Brenu about our indentures and the Youth Complex land. We feel that we have made more progress this trip in regards to settling these land deals than ever before.
We have made contacts with World Vision in Ghana, the ones that will dig our water wells. We made contact with a UNICEF Rep here in Ghana and hopefully with her help, will be receiving support from UNICEF in the future.
We have a legitimate Advisor from the Government, Mr. Appiah Donyina. He is always ready to assist us and recommend ways for us to accomplish our goals and objectives.
We have decided to farm our land until we begin building again so that we can gain the much needed experience in growing crops like Pineapple. We will farm the Youth Complex land until we start the building process there as well.
I could have purchased the farm land as soon as I arrived here, but after council, we are waiting until I finish with the Consultant and have the farm land tested. I could’ve gone up to Yeji and convinced someone to give me a youth, but after council, we decided to partner up with those individuals that know the culture and speak the language to go in and do the negotiating. We will also do our own investigating so assess if it will be feasible for us to complete rescue missions ourselves. Patience has assisted me in following through with the council that I have been seeking since arriving here a couple of weeks back. Thanks Family for your prayers of PATIENCE. Now pray me up a VEHICLE. LOL!!

‘Jen Trotro’, Kofi and Esi returned from a LONG day at the market, purchasing food and supplies for OB. Jen loves the tro tro experience for some reason, so that is her name now. Jen, Josh, and Allie planned to cook a family style meal tonight for everyone. It was good. Vegetable stir fry over rice with MY soy chunks. It had ginger, garlic and curry sauce with it. Not bad. The Kofi and Esi show is in full effect as Kofi is going on and on with Jen, as we eat dinner, about his struggles with the OYC older youth. He is going on so long that Esi and I both look at him almost at the same exact time. Esi sees me and laughs and says, “Oh Dad is looking at you, Manager. He is looking at you go on and on.” I have such a hard time holding it in when she gets at him like that. It is the funniest thing. He ignores her most times and that makes it even funnier. LOL!!

My internet connection is very week tonight so it’s down to bed early tonight (midnight). I can see the future of Ocean Breeze. It’s time to get more chalets and Jewel’s Restaurant poppin’ now. My office/restaurant/chalet is like the ‘Drinking Well’ or ‘Chop Spot’. Everyone wants to hang out here to be entertained or just be in this energy. I Get It! It’s coming!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home”

Love Family.

Meetings!

October 3, 2010
Day 17- MEETINGS

It’s 2:30am and I pop up like I have slept all night and it is time to get up. I fell out at about 11:30, which is so early for me here in Ghana. I was so tired that I left my laptop and the lights on when I fell asleep. Since I was up, I got caught up on emails and the two blogs that I owed you all. My intentions were to finish the blogs up and then lay back down to rest up for my “Elders Tour” starting at 9 am. But as the birds and sunlight began to make their presence, I knew it was going to be a long day. So, hit your Ginseng/Royal Jelly, Roots, and Vitamin C and MAN UP!

We set out to introduce Jen to the Brenu Palace. This would actually be the first time that we will see Nana Brempong since he’s been back. We have met his junior Brother, but today I learned that his Nephew is also here to assist Nana. We will also take advantage of the opportunity to check on the indentures process and the plotting of the 20 acres. You know we are on edge when going to Nana’s palace because they always want something. In fact, I sent Kofi down there early this morning to make sure that they were there and when he came back he was reinforcing the fact that they will be expecting something. Kofi felt my energy and knew that I was NOT bringing anything and if pushed, they would hear from the Warrior Egun that has been walking with me while in Ghana this journey. When we are about to leave, Kofi asks me, “Oh Dad will I go along with you? I need to buy fuel, so I can meet you back here after your meeting with Nana.” You know I laughed at him and told him, “Stop being so scared. It’s all about respect. They will eventually learn that we are NOT the ones to get all of their little gifts from. But you have to be strong and consistent.” He smiled, but I can tell he had that nervous thing inside. We picked up Jen and headed to the palace. This would also be Jen’s first walk through the village. It’s a Sunday morning so it is relatively quiet. Today is the day that Brenu comes together in fellowship in their 10 or so churches located in the village. It still blows my mind that a village of 2,000 people could have so many churches in it. Talk about ‘Divide and Conquer’. But what do I know?
The Junior Brother meets us and sets the room up for our meeting. I see the Nephew and he is a big and strong Brother. Perfect to assist Nana and his aged being. We are waiting for Nana to make his appearance. We can see that the Junior Brother is a true Business Man and wants things to be efficient. He is a bit annoyed at Nana’s tardiness. So the Nephew goes in to get Nana. He comes back and still no Nana. So we wait a bit longer and then here comes Nana. In his PAJAMAS as if he JUST got out of bed. I mean matching top and bottoms PJs with the little space for the wee wee, open and all. LOL!!! Anyway, his eyes finally adjust and he realizes that it is Kojo Bey. He says, “Eh! Oh, my Friend from looooooong time OH!” Good start. Let’s his Brother see the relationship.” We meet about everything and all went well. I was a bit annoyed that I may have to leave once again without fully settling the land issue, but this coming Wednesday they have a meeting with all of the key Elders to discuss important community issues. They promised to bring our issues up at the meeting. Junior Brother Nana asked how much land was promised and I told him 20 acres. Nana Brempong was looking at me in anticipation of my answer with a look like I am asking for land for the first time. When he heard my answer he responded with, “Che! 20 acres! Hey!” Not good Nana, you signed the promise letter to give us the 20 acres. That is why he needs his family here to conduct his business affairs now. He forgets and you have to start ALL over each time you want to work on a project that needs the Palace approval. I express to them that I am not too happy that I have to go back to my Board ONCE AGAIN without confirmation that the land will be given to us. Junior Brother assures us that after they make the Elders aware of this and he is confident that they know about this, then it will be given to us. I didn’t want to put Nana Brempong ‘OUT THERE’ but I asked would it help if you had the letter that Nana signed stating that 20 acres that was promised to us. He was very surprised that we had a document like that but was happy that we could put that in his hands. They also asked for a proposal for the Youth Complex project stating the advantages and benefits for the families and community at large. I am now encouraged because we have never gone this far with the discussion. I asked if they wouldn’t mind some photos and they agreed. I asked Nana, if he wouldn’t mind putting on another shirt or a garment for the photos. He said, “Oh, but I am dressed?!” LOL! They ALL got up and changed. When we finished with the photos, I expressed my excitement about Nana having his family here to help him in all of the affairs here in Brenu. I told them that when I didn’t think he was coming back, I started looking around to other villages to bring the Youth Complex project. OH MY GOODNESS! The three of them brought the energy! “CAPITOL NO! You will get the land and you will build your project here. Don’t even THINK about bringing it anywhere else. The land will be FOR YOU!” Another first, family. I think I am going to like this Junior Brother. He told me that it is “All about your name with running a community, not money. Money will be spent, but if I help to make projects like this happen, my name will be spoken about even after I am dead.” Yes, I like this guy’s presentation. Now let’s see his follow through. I was so pleased that I even offered them a gift. I told them that I have some very powerful teas from America that I brought for them. The main one is called “DETOX”. They were already happy because I said I had something from America for them. I said, “It’s going to clean your blood and the toxins that you all have inside of you so that you can start fresh.” They were excited at the gift that I am offering. As we walked out of the Palace, Jen whispered to me, “Detox tea, Kojo? Don’t you ever STOP messing with people?!” LOL!!!!

Today is a beautiful HOT day and the water is especially beautiful with its different shades of blue and green. So much so that I told Kofi that I have to capture some photos near this beauty. I LOVE OUR BEACH. Perhaps Mommy Waters was pleased with our meeting at the Palace as well and this is her way of expressing it to us. She just pulled us over to her and we all wanted to be a part of her beauty by capturing it on the cameras. I LOVE THE ELEMENTS.

We have about an hour before we have to hit the road to meet the Chief and Elders of Mpeasem and Ankwanda. I told Kofi that we should head down to catch a car so that we can make it on time. He said, “Oh, the Moto will take us there faster and help us to keep our schedule.” You know I instinctively disagreed because of how much I just love being on the back of that thing. But he was right. “Alright, let me know when you are ready.” He tells me that he needs to go for gas. I said, “What? You have to take a car out to get gas and car back? And you will be back in time for us get out to make our meeting in time?!” WOW. So he set off on his journey. I reached out to the family because I learned yesterday that Kumani was dealing with almost the exact same ear condition that I had before I left for Ghana. Swelling, closed canal, and extreme tenderness. Isis has been treating it with herbs and home remedies according to her on-line research and learned that if the bacteria and infection isn’t caught early, then it spreads to the jaw area. So thankfully, she caught it early and it hasn’t spread to her jaw area like mine. I spoke to her and she seems to be better. You know what I was dealing with that ear condition. I didn’t even want to think about one of my Babies moving around with that condition. So, I will have to look into that condition further so that I can knock it out earlier next time.

So, Mr. Kofi returns with his gas MUCH earlier than I thought he would. “Good job Son! But we had better get going soon.” He tells me that we have plenty of time. Esi cooks for him and I am snacking while on the computer. I hear him messing with the bike outside. He keeps trying to start it. It won’t start. He has the engine casing off and wires hanging. I’m like, “Kofi, are you serious? You want us to travel to two different villages and BACK on THAT when your moto won’t start? I am supposed to feel good about getting on the back of that when you have wires out, trying to figure it out?!” He says, “Oh this bike! It will start.” I went back in with sounds of him trying to start the moto. I passed Esi on my way in and I said, “He wants me on a spoiled bike.” She laughed and went outside with his food saying, “Oh the bike is spoiled. OBey Manager’s moto is spoiled.” And then of course she is cracking up afterwards. I said, “Esi, that’s not nice. You know we have meetings.” She continues to laugh and says the same thing, but NOW in Fante. She is teaching me over and over again, the word for SPOILED! TOO FUNNY! I couldn’t contain it anymore. I’m ROLLING! She is OFF THE CHAIN!
After about ½ hour I heard the bike start. Alright, maybe we are going to make our meeting on time today. Kofi called me to ask if I am ready and I go. Now, the moto won’t start again. I have already envisioned us on the side of the road flagging down a tro tro or taxi. So I’m cool by this time. I have accepted our fate on this Damn moto. It STARTS! Cool. Let’s go. I jump on it and it is obvious that there is something wrong with the bike. Kofi has to accelerate often to keep the gas pushing through the lines, which means that jerking action is constant and there is faster acceleration. “WOW Kofi, THIS fast down our steep and eroded driveway, huh?” My fingers are already welded to the bike rack in back from holding on so tightly. Then I feel some wetness hitting my legs as if someone is spraying just one part of my leg. I’m like, “Kofi tell me that my leg is not being sprayed by GASOLIINE!” We pull over and OF COURSE, he did not secure his gas line and it was spraying a nice even coat on my lower leg. I got off and he says, “Oh let me clean it.” And he pulls out his handkerchief. I looked at him and said, “You give me something DRY to clean off gasoline?! Let’s go, Knucklehead! I know what you are trying to do and it won’t work. I can’t be stopped.” He laughed and we made out for the villages.

Both meeting were very good. We were early for both and NO ONE at either meeting asked for anything. In fact, the Chiefs expressed their sincere appreciation for what we are planning for their villages. The most common questions were who would be considered ‘Needy’? What about support for Senior Secondary school? WHEN WILL IT START? It was very interesting to be back in Ankwanda after all of these years. Ankwanda was one of the first villages that I considered getting land in. I didn’t like the land that the Nana was offering and I didn’t get a harmonious vibe when I walked through the village and met some of the community members. Today, it felt good, but I can still feel the energy here. I look forward to helping out the best way that we can. I was very pleased with the meetings and now it is time for us to head back to Brenu.
Josh called me while we were meeting at Mpeasam from his taxi on their way to OB. He was asking for OBey Foundation and the Taxi Driver didn’t know. I told them to let him drop you all off at the taxi station and then start asking about where is Kojo Bey’s land. Later he told us that he experienced the work that we have been doing because as soon as he said Kojo Bey, everyone responded. COOL. In fact, when we left the Brenu Palace earlier, we stopped at a few homes so that I could check on some of the Caregivers. And then we were running into a lot of people on the way back up. Jen said, “Everyone knows you, Kojo. This is like your village.” I told her once before that our work is seemless. You don’t see an office or orphanage, but if you go to the school or walk through the village you will learn about our work through the people; particularly the children.

More guests at OB. We checked them into Chalet 3 and they were of course blown away by the view and Mommy Waters. The accommodation exceeded their expectations, so once again I am thankful for the Most High’s blessings. Akwaaba!
That night I had everyone up for dinner and one of my girls, Mercy, finally came up to visit me. She is due next month and is as beautiful as ever. I let her and her friend go, who has a baby tied to her back as well. The rain was about to come so they needed to get back down to the village. But not before I told her that I want the Father of the baby up here to meet me on Tuesday. Mercy and her friend left. Both 19 with babies and still needing to finish middle school.
We had a serious discussion about the girls in middle school here and the pregnancy thing. We need a serious plan for them here in Ghana. Two of our middle school girls got pregnant this year.
After dinner, I had a great discussion with our guests about their adventures in Mali with their host families. I asked them what they thought their lives will be like when they get back to America after their two year assignment. I wanted to know how they would view issues like animal sacrifice, polygamy, and ju ju; since they are LIVING that there. It was great dialogue and after listening to them, I’d suspect that they will have more respect and tolerance of people’s lifestyles like…WELL, ME! LOL!!!

“I’m awake, I have worked, and I’ve been blessed. It’s Time to Take Me Home”
Love Family.