What a day! I finally got to visit Community Eleven Complex School today. We met Mr. Atta at his home in Tema this morning before heading over to the school. I had no idea what was ahead of us for the day. Atta had continued to call this a “meeting”, but hinted that there would be quite a few people there. Turns out the entire school, their staff, PTA leaders, probably fifty parents, media representatives and seven or eight dignitaries from Tema Government were there for the celebration. There was a sound system pumping out music, speeches from all of the dignitaries, kids doing traditional dance, contemporary dance, a skit about the importance of trees from the environmental club and poetry about the importance of computer education. They even had a ribbon cutting for the opening for the computer lab.
It is hard to believe that this whole project started over two years ago. It’s been a long time coming and it was very special to see how much it meant to the school and the community. We will go back tomorrow to talk more about how to continue the collaboration between our two schools.
The whole day had a somewhat surreal feel to it. It certainly felt good to see the fruits of our labor.
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| The tree in the middle of Community Eleven School Complex |
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| Mr. Atta and a member of the PTA |
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| The crates from our shipment of computers. |
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| The computer lab |
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| An outdoor classroom |
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| Kids waiting for the celebration to start. |
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| PTA representatives |
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| Kids of Community Eleven |
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| Two students sharing a poem about ICT (technology) |
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| Part of the Environmental Club\’s Skit (He was a tree) |
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| The Environmental Club Skit about the importance of trees. |
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| The dance group |
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| Exchanging student work with Community Eleven Teachers |
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| Julie Olson speaking with one of the traditional dancers. |
Ryan Harwood 
Reading about this project warms my heart. My family is originally from Ghana. It brings me great joy to know that people are still willing to help others that don't necessarily live near them. This project shows that people outside of the US are being helped, and that is an awesome fact. Through my service-learning work I have been able to help people in my school, and in my community. It has had such a positive impact on my life. I am proud to say that I am a part of Ms.Hunter's Western Guilford Service Learning Ambassadors. Being a part of the group has allowed me to help fellow students, help others. I am pleased to know that service-learning is happening in our community,state,country, and across the world. I am sure the students enjoyed showing you their culture, and I am sure you enjoyed giving back to my family's home country.-Bridgette A.
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