Today (Wednesday) we have a full slate of meetings, many focused on meeting with high level government agencies. We already met today with the personal secretary of the President of Rwanda at the President’s Office. We personally reinforced our invitation to have President Kagame visit Babson and talked about the work that we are doing here. Our ideas were met with a great deal of enthusiasm and support. Later today, we have meetings with the Minister of Education, a key official at the Rwanda Development Board, representatives from the IFC, and a group of women entrepreneurs. A busy day!

That’s it from Kigali. Have a great day!

Learn more about Dean Hanno’s current trip to Kenya and Rwanda at http://www3.babson.edu/Newsroom/Releases/SprBreakTravels3-10.cfm.

Yesterday morning began with an early church service at 6:30 a.m. It was a great way to conclude our week of work as the community thanked us for our services with a certificate ceremony.

After a very brief breakfast, we were off to our first destination of the day. The ride had many unexpected obstacles, but we arrived safely. The canopy tour in the rainforest was breathtaking and to see the team work together to overcome fear of heights was very rewarding.

Our next stop was the a resort at Elmina Beach. We had an amaziing lunch on the beach with the opportunity to play in the ocean and take some group photos. While it was short in length, it was a nice change of pace.

Not long after, we collected our sandy belongings and traveled to the Elmina Slave Castle. This was a very powerful and moving experience for the group as we learned of the slave trade atrocities that took place for hundreds of years. It was difficult to comprehend all of the emotions because the landscape was so beautiful, yet to think of the millions who passed through was anything but beautiful.

As daylight faded, we took the last opportunity to spend the night as a group. It was very relaxing and enjoyable as the conversations went deep into the night. In the midst of all the packing and chatting, little did we know of the rumor of an approaching earthquake circulating throughout Ghana. As the rumor spread, thousands of people flooded the streets. Thankfully, we all slept through the scare and in fact the rumor held no merit. Seems to be one big hoax, but an interesting conversation item to end our trip.

All in all, it was another action packed day with memories that will last a lifetime. We’re on our way home! See you all very soon!!

Tonight at dinner, Zann explained to the group that all week he had been trying to come up with a word that could somehow define our whirlwind experience in Ghana. The word he had finally chosen was “progression,” and I think it may be the only word capable of describing each and everyone one of our experiences in Ghana. Each one of us left the church after the Business Plan competition today with entirely different emotions, stories and new friends, but we all left with a sense of accomplishment at the transformation we could see in our students, our peers and also ourselves. We had seen our students, some of whom had never even heard of “entrepreneurship” up until a week ago, present their business ideas to an audience of over 2,500 people.

The church was a sea of color today; each school had brought busloads of students wearing their school’s colors to cheer the presenters on. It took three hours to go through all twenty presentations, with as many people packed into the hot church as possible. Students erupted in cheer as the winners were announced, preceded by an entertainment break hosted by Luis and Candace in which students performed for the crowd. The winning business plan was from Fijai, Irene and Georgina’s school. Their students’ idea was anti-bacterial soap, which is scarce in Ghana, and like many of the ideas today, it was a social enterprise in that they would employ people less fortunate than themselves.

What struck me the most about today was how emotionally attached we all were to our students and to our schools. I felt like a parent anxiously watching their children head off for their first day of school. When my group got up to present, my palms were sweating and my heart was racing. I had seen how much work they put into their plan, and even though our team didn’t win, I could not have been prouder. It was hard to say goodbye to the students at the end of the day, but I was reassured that I would be getting phone calls and email from many of them in the near future, promising to teach me Twi, their native language.

During our dinner reflections tonight, both Luis and Dave said, “I have learned more from my students than what they have learned from me.” This got me thinking about other people I have met along my journey in Ghana. Not only have we been teaching high school students about business, but also the local adult community. Every night this week, I have been traveling to a church and I have been greatly inspired by the church’s pastor, Patrick. In a community where many people can’t read or write, they are quick to ask for money. Patrick explained that we were there to share our knowledge, which is more powerful than money because it allows people to sustain their success. It was inspiring to learn that our lessons encouraged many to reevaluate their business practices and that knowledge really is power.

This week flew by so quickly. This morning was the last time that we all separated to teach at the 20 different high schools. My day was chaotic, yet successful because my partner, Sarah Miley, and I selected the winning group and helped to initiate One Hen. When we announced the winning team that would compete in the regional competition on Saturday, they were estatic, screaming and jumping all over the classroom. It was a great pleasure to offer these 5 girls an opportunity of a lifetime. In addition, we successfully started One Hen, a new club that encourages high school students to work with junior high students to help start a business. The first day involved introducing the students and reading the book, One Hen.

After an exhausting day, everyone was still able to pull through and visit their churches to help the adult community one last time. Then we were able to start enjoying the weekend with ice cream for dessert and with entertainment from local drummers and dancers. It was very entertaining to see Babson students pulled into the center of the circle to match the Ghanaians’ dance moves. It was a perfect way to end our week!

Every night before dinner a few of our group here in Ghana offer up a reflection on what they have experienced for the day or how this experience has affected their lives so far. As I listen to each reflection, I find myself being a child again, as simple truths are repeated again and again. “Thinking about doing something and actually doing it are two different things; have goals for yourself; determination helps overcome many obstacles; as you strive to succeed many will try to take you down in whatever way they can, but stay focused on your vision.” It is those simple maxims, taught to us by our parents and other caregivers, that we use to inspire and transfer the little information that we possess to the beautiful people in this small part of Ghana.

I dont know what impact our presence will have on the people here, but as I look around the dinner table I see the faces of 45 people with me who will return to Babson with a new and/or renewed sense of appreciation, compassion and humility.

As our week of teaching and service nears its end, we’ve all begun to reflect on our experiences; both good and bad. One commonality amongst us all is the overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation we feel, not only for the hospitality and love we’ve been shown by the Ghanaian people, but also for the luxuries and freedoms we observe at home in the states. Such simple necessities as running water, electricity and clean laundry are all things that (speaking on behalf of the group) we’ve previously taken for granted. I believe it’s safe to say that the students and staff that boarded flight 214 out of Boston last Wednesday will return home to friends and family far more enlightened and humbled than before…this is the essence of fulfillment.

Our teams of student teachers continue to progress in the classroom and have been working towards identifying our “top team” to represent our school in the regional business plan competition this Saturday. Each of our schools have some promising prospects, which should make for quite a competition. We’re all looking forward to a fun-filled weekend with a drum and dance ensemble performance on Friday evening followed by Saturday’s competition and a trip to the Elmina Castle and Kakum Forest on Sunday. Stay tuned for more; we’ll see you all soon!

Both visions of great need and opportunity overwhelm the entrepreneur in Sekondi. In my experience, Ghanaian business students recognize this. They speak of business to help their families and communities. In class at the Methodist Senior Secondary School, where I teach with a team of 2-3 other Babson team members, students suggest businesses such as language and computer schools, and businesses to bring more water to Sekondi. Our mission is to help these students make these ideas reality. Already fluent in many business concepts, my team at Methodist will emphasize partnerships and creative thinking. It is our plan to help the students utilize the resources that they do have, where financial capital is normally absent.

In just a day and a half of teaching I have learned so much about myself. Teaching here has not only presented a way of evaluating what I have learned over my four years in college but I am also experiencing and understanding how business and eship work for the community. As we teach them about business, they engage us in their culture, so full of life in a way different from home. Faith is a powerful force in Ghana. Church ceremonies are festivals - full of song and dance and lasting throughout much of Sunday Morning.

Children learn to speak English early, with emphasis on learning in the third grade onwards. Their primary language is either Twi, Afante, or Ashante, with a few variations within each. Children of the community hang around outside of our dormatories waiting for us to come outside to play. Some have taught me a few words of their native language - the simple phrases (such as My name is…) are too difficult for me to attempt to spell here.

We have just five days left in Ghana, the time passes so quickly. I miss home dearly, my friends and my family, but I will forever be grateful to have been able to come to Ghana and have this experience.

We are basically at the half way point here in Ghana now, and it has been a truly great experience and a eye opener so far! The Ghanaian people have been extremely friendly and it has been exciting to meet new people here that will hopefully become life long relationships.

Yesterday, we all went off to teach in our schools we were assigned. Some of us taught for a couple of hours and some of us did not teach at all, due to the fact that some schools do not start class until later in the week. I’m excited to be teaching today and preparing the students for the business plan competition on Saturday!

Most of us also went into Takoradi yesterday to shop. I bought a painting, a wooden giraffe and elephant, a wooden Ghanaian God symbol, necklaces, and I made friends with a man named Peter who let me have one of his seashells for free.

Later in the day before dinner, we all went to different churches in the area to teach business to the townspeople. Most of the people who attended the business seminars had their own businesses and they wanted us to consult with them to help them improve their business operations, financial situation, marketing plan, and overall strategy. Personally, I talked to a man named Jacob who wants to start a honey business and a mushroom business. Another student Stacey and I are working on setting up a microcredit fund to provide him with the $1,000 he needs to start these businesses, which is very fun and interesting. That’s it for now from Ghana!

Never had I imagined coming to Ghana and being more spiritually uplifted then I feel back home in Brooklyn. Throughout the past 5 days I’ve experienced the power of faith, patience, and perseverance. While the people may not have many of the tangibles that I oftentimes take for granted back home, they do have open and humble hearts that keep them grounded and hopeful. Walking through the streets of Sekondi and meeting the locals gives me a sense of security, knowing that a way can be made out of no way. Today I was blessed with the opportunity to sing one of my favorite praise songs during service before Reverend Andoh preached. I was overcome with peace and happiness and felt a spiritual and emotional connection to the Ghanaians. Afterwards, I was approached by two young girls who asked me if I love to sing and be here in Africa, without a hesitation I replied, “Yes.”. There is no where I would rather be right now, this place represents my past, my present, and future and I can proudly say that these are my people.

On Saturday at noon we left Accra for Sekondi and Rev Andoh’s church. The 4.5 hour drive was broken up by two rest stops, the first of which had a cardboard shelter for the “ladies’ room” and the back side of a gas station for the men. At the second rest stop we all bought treats, mostly ice cream and plantain chips. The coach was air-conditioned and comfortable. During the drive we saw lush farmland, several towns and even caught glimpses of the Atlantic coastline. The town of Cape Coast was stunning from what we could see - beautiful beaches and old castles.

We arrived in Sekondi at 6 p.m. It is a lovely town right on the beach, with crumbling old colonial buildings. Warm greetings met us at the church compound and we all settled into our different rooms. Mrs. Andoh prepared a dinner of chicken, fish, rice, salad and french fries. (The latter is served at every meal except breakfast.) After dinner we gathered in the courtyard to enjoy the cool ocean breeze, play frisbee and talk. Soon we heard music out in the street and ran to the gates to see a parade of people in costumes parading down the street. The parade turned out to be for King’s Day and was a wonderful welcome to our home for the next eight days.