"Elevator" Description of Rotary

Throughout the year, I have gotten pretty good at my “elevator” description of Rotary International– my quick narrative that encompasses the international network dedicated to service above self and doing good in the world. In talking with several Ghanaian students about Rotary and the Ambassadorial Scholarship, I found that many students were genuinely impressed and wondered if they could do something like it. Unfortunately, I heard that awarding Ambassadorial Scholarships in Ghana ended quite a few years back. I discussed the issue with a Rotarian who told me that they had several problems with the scholars not returning home if they went to the US or UK. Even though they were required to return after a year, they found a way to stay secretly without being able to be contacted. I was surprised that a scholar would do that and also that they could get away with it. She said that it was impossible to distinguish the types of people who would follow the rules and those who would not. Maybe, I thought, they did not complete the same rigorous interview and application process that was required in my home district. "Luckily," she said, "the good students who are trustworthy can still get other types of scholarships to get them to the US or UK." I thought about this for a minute and realized, “But that suggests that academic scholarships serve the same purpose as the Ambassadorial Scholarship. There is no way my experience here would have been the same if I was on a purely academic scholarship.” I have faith that something can be done to reinstate scholarships as part of Future Vision (Rotary's new grant program replacing the Ambassadorial Scholarship). There are ways to ensure a student returning. Perhaps it could be part of a two-year program where the second year is finished back in Ghana, or data are collected abroad and brought back home. The purpose of going abroad could be learning about a tool or skill that is necessary to fulfill a need back in Ghana. I think with proper interviewing and structure of the scholarship, something could be done. The experience is just too valuable to miss. 

 

The Troubled World of International Aid and a Reflection on Rotary

A moment I will never forget was perhaps my most disheartening moment of the year, and yet, my proudest moment of Rotary. 

A friend and I were at dinner with two gentlemen from Geneva who were doing fieldwork in Ghana as part of a nutrition-focused NGO. They asked about my research work in Accra and my background in geochemistry and health. Laughing, they said that their NGO could probably use that background in geochemistry even though the NGO dealt with nutrition. One mentioned that though he knew nothing about nutrition- having background in international development- he has set the fortification standards for five countries, a fact he admitted was scary. Both men looked at me morosely and uttered, “Never go humanitarian.” 

The men talked of their frustration with large international organizations that have problems sticking to their code of ethics and problems making sustainable projects. They said they have been kicked out of meetings because they stood up to the authorities. They said they have seen schools built where uneducated teachers were brought in to teach. They said there is too much money to be made by keeping people poor and hungry. They said it has destroyed their childhoods.

This news was Earth-shattering to me, especially as someone who envisioned working with such an organization in the future. At this moment, I finally realized what was so incredibly special and unique about Rotary. It was exactly what has confused me about Rotary in the past. I was always uneasy about the business and networking aspects of Rotary, that Rotarians were often well-to-do, with comfortable salaries and prominent careers. How much could these people know about suffering? It was almost as if Rotarians were conservative hippies- business people who still wanted world peace. Then it hit me. Rotarians use their careers for humanitarian purposes; the humanitarian work is not necessarily their careers. This set-up is ingenious. The world needs well-to-do people who also care about hunger, poverty, and education. For instance, take Rotary’s six main areas of focus: peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development. They recognize it is in everyone’s best interest to address these issues. Rotarians can have dignity in their careers, whatever they may be, then also find dignity in how they use their careers for service. This is why Rotary projects are so sustainable. When I met William Boyd, the chair of the Rotary Foundation, he said that Rotary projects are about 95% sustainable, which is tremendously successful. This level of sustainability makes sense: for one, Rotarians have a background of skills and knowledge, and secondly, they have no reason to try to make a project that will only work for the short-term. I had never been so proud of Rotary than at the end of that evening. It all finally made sense.

Ambassadorial Stories Pt II: Perceptions of Ghana

My perception of Ghana has evolved tremendously- from the time when I met my first Ghanaian friend at Lawrence University to the time I was assigned to the University of Ghana to my first experiences with the country, and now. First semester, I remember being a little bit frustrated with things in Ghana. Sometimes it was the lack of information flow at the University: not knowing how to register or class schedules and assignments changing at the last minute with only a few students being alerted. Sometimes it was the preachers calling you a sinner, cutoffs of electricity and water, or the hot weather and biting insects. Sometimes I would feel like this place was just wildly different from home. One morning was particularly difficult. It was Christmas Day and I was terribly uncomfortable in the heat as my roommate and I sat in a taxi on our way to my host family’s house. I remember so clearly walking into their living room that day. Upon seeing a Christmas garland draped above their sofa and a small Christmas tree with lights sitting in the corner, I was almost brought to tears. It was so beautiful, making me realize this place was not so different after all. There I was in the love of my family, just as Christmas ought to be.

There were some Ghanaian customs to which it took a while to grow accustomed. For example, when eating in public you are always expected to share your food with the people around you, or at least say, “You’re invited.” I was at first confused when someone would take a big bite out of my ice cream or take my last spring roll.  Yet, my view of this norm changed with time. It went from surprise and confusion to the realization that sharing is valued here and it is expected that the person ordering food buys for all, or that the first person on a bus takes care of the fare for those with him. Kindness is expected. That is not a bad thing, but it took me a while to recognize such.

The most difficult question I received in Ghana - which came much too frequently - was, "So, how do you find the place? How do you see Ghana? How do you like it here?" I found this question so difficult because there were tremendous ups and downs to every day.  Yes, I liked the friendly people and welcoming attitudes, but living in Ghana can be tough. My personal living conditions were not horrible, and it was still tough. The thing that always gets me is just how many ways there are of living in Ghana, largely based on socio-economic status. My host family for example has a nice house, personal cars, 7 children who all speak English fluently, secure jobs, and good educations. A classmate has working class parents who own a small canteen and catering business, have things like a car and air conditioner, but have specifically budgeted for their son to attend the University. Then I have a friend whose entire family works in the market. As 7th out of 9 children, he managed to send himself to school, rent a single-room apartment in a "dusty" part of Accra and pays for electricity as the money comes. Never having left Accra, he says I now know the country better than he does. All these people are truly Ghanaian, just like I may be American but have a much different life than a neighbor in Wisconsin. It is not that income disparities do not exist in the US or other countries; it is that the results of income disparities are so obvious in Ghana that at times it seems wildly unjust and more than a little heart-breaking. 

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          When I first began traveling internationally, I expected to be embarrassed of being an American.  In addition to finding anti-American sentiments, I expected to find ways of doing things that were just so much better than the way we do things at home. However, the opposite happened. Traveling instilled in me a great pride for the United States by helping me recognize the calmness and organization in our country and of course the kindness of the people. While traveling, I met people who wanted to attend school in the states and people who followed American football teams.  

At one point during the year, I was chatting online with a Ghanaian friend from Lawrence who was working in the US at the time. During the conversation he happened to mention that going to school in the United States made him so much prouder of Ghana. So here I was in Ghana, being proud of the United States, while he was there in the United States telling me it made him prouder of Ghana. I started to think that maybe our pride has no bearing on which country actually deserves more pride. To shed light on the issue, I asked my roommate from Botswana if living in Accra made her more proud of Botswana. She said absolutely. 

Perhaps experiencing something new makes you appreciate what you have. Perhaps your living style gives you comfort while it may not bring the same sense of comfort to others. When you feel proud of your country, take a minute and think about why you feel that way. It might be a revealing exercise.

Ambassadorial Stories Pt. I

By learning about customs in Ghana, I completed half of my role in spreading goodwill and understanding. With understanding come respect and acceptance. If I could come to understand that country, my discussions of Ghana back home would also spread understanding through fair and truthful stories. But understanding is two-way; it must be two-way in order to spread goodwill and peace. This meant that my interactions with people there also needed to increase their understanding of me.

 I have contributed to this in many ways. The most obvious ways were through interactions with friends and peers who asked questions or listened to my stories of home. The less obvious methods were through one-time interactions with acquaintances or strangers. For instance, countless taxi drivers have pleaded, “Take me to your country! There are jobs there. You do not have to be poor like here.”  In these instances I usually smiled and said that yes, I love the United States, but life can be very difficult there. Even many Americans have difficulty finding jobs. It is never as easy as it seems. 

An example of an encounter that stands out in my mind occurred one day when I was studying in my department. Another student sitting behind me said hi, introduced himself, then asked me why America thinks their form of democracy will work for everyone.  "Why do you think your democracy is the only democracy?" he wondered. To give context, this was just a few weeks after Gaddafi was killed, and the young man explained why he thought Gaddafi was a good leader. He said Gaddafi made Libya a prosperous nation- much more prosperous than Ghana. Perhaps his most intriguing point was that the United States did not start out having everyone in the country vote. The poor, uneducated, blacks, and women, were all kept from that "right" as it would later become. Likewise, he believed, the illiterate in Ghana also should not vote. Such people were bringing in leaders who were unfit to lead. Ghana was not ready for the United States' democracy. I had never heard an argument like this before and as such I took quite a bit of time before responding. Essentially, I said that I do not think America has one form of democracy with which every one agrees. The US has over 300 million people and you would be hard-pressed to find two citizens that share the exact same collection of political beliefs. In fact, some of the worst schisms between neighbors occur because of disagreements on government. What we do generally agree on, I emphasized, are basic things like human rights and individual freedoms. Though I have never been into government or politics, I tried to give him my (relatively uncontroversial) view on the US. This incident made me think. Standing up for your country is like standing up for a family member: you can recognize when it has done something wrong, but hope it changes and love it all the same. As an Ambassador, I pray my interactions with others have increased understanding about my home in a positive way.

Update on my Academics

            The opportunity to study at the University of Ghana has opened my eyes to a new system of education. As of now, I have completed all the classes required for the first year MPhil students in the Department of Geography and Resource Development. 

Though my background is in the hard sciences, there has also been a significant focus on international development and public health in my studies, mainly in terms of environmental problems. At the University of Ghana, I had the incredible opportunity to take classes on the social issues that have always fascinated me but have always been a side note to natural science. For instance, I now have a solid foundation in Medical Geography, Population Geography, and Rural Development. In applying to the Department of Geography and Resource Development, I thought it would help me learn more about Ghana and the social issues that complicate environmental issues. Turns out I was right. Now, I can shoot off statistics from life expectancies and maternal mortality rates around Africa to the prevalence of AIDS or respiratory diseases in Ghana to the spatial factors to cholera. 

My thesis proposal addresses the issue of air pollution and health in Accra. I plan to analyze differences in people’s environmental health risk perceptions based on place of residence. The characteristics that come with socio-economic status (income, education level, exposure to pollution, and health status) may cause one to have higher or lower perceptions of their own risk. Little is known about this issue in a developing country, especially one with such rapid urbanization as Ghana. The Head of Department has said that I am the first foreign lady to do a Master’s degree in the department. They are allowing me to write my thesis from the US, though that will require a brief trip back to Ghana to collect data. If all works as planned, I will finish the program by June or July. 

Looking at this topic has already helped me make connections with experts in the US who would love to look at the issue in a country with such a vastly different economic and cultural environment. I have also met with key informants in Ghana, such as a director at the EPA. The Head of Department said he was surprised that I stayed here for a full year; most students just come for a semester. He said, “You will be a big woman in Ghana someday.” No doubt, traveling, studying, and living abroad has greatly supplemented my academic background as well as cultural and social experiences.

Blogging

The time delay between now and my last post is not an example of GMT (Ghana Man Time: the time zone of Ghana). 



Quick update: I am in the United States. I am doing well. I am finishing my Master's Degree. 



I found blogging during my last few months in Ghana very difficult for several reasons:

1) It is not enough to post about my daily activities in a journal-like fashion. Every word needs to have a reason, a purpose. As a well-trained liberal arts student, I thrive on thinking critically (I think...) and wish to share new angles of perception with others. Forming themes and arguments takes time, and once formed, articulation takes even more time.

2) I am not short of theses or arguments. Yet, unfortunately these topics tend to be a little controversial. I do not like unnecessary controversy. I also do not want to sound like I'm complaining. I mean, come on, living in a hostel in Ghana can be hard.

3) It was difficult enough for me to start a blog, feeling uncomfortably egotistical and vulnerable; it would be even worse to think my daily goings-on deserve to be immortalized in cyberspace. 

So there we go: I have some cool thoughts; I haven't shared them with you; I will now.


One requirement of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship is a final report to be written and submitted before leaving your host country. The report is sent to District Governors of the host and sponsor districts, as well as clubs and the Scholarship Coordinator at Rotary International. This requirement forced me to articulate many of the ideas that had been swirling madly in my head, while granting me some comfort in knowing that controversy and uncomfortableness is merely a way of showing that the scholarship helped me learn something. From here on, I will be posting sections of my report. Stay tuned...

Star Struck: Meeting the Rotary Foundation Chair

Another amazing opportunity in Ghana…

At an inter-city meeting held last week, Rotarians from around Accra (and a few from Germany too) had the privilege of listening to William Boyd speak about the value of the Rotary Foundation.  For those who are unfamiliar to Rotary, the Rotary Foundation works within Rotary International essentially to raise and distribute its funds. William Boyd is currently the chair of the Rotary Foundation. During his introduction, I also learned the impressive fact that one can only become chair of the Foundation if he or she has already been president of Rotary International.  Boyd was president of Rotary International from 2006-2007.

Boyd and his wife, who reside in New Zealand, were in Ghana for a few days to look at water projects around the country. In his talk, he described just how successful Rotary Foundation projects have been. He mentioned that such projects have a 90-some percent sustainability rate. That is compared to UN projects that have about a 60% sustainability rate. People invest in the Rotary Foundation because they understand Rotary International’s motto “Service Above Self” and recognize that the Foundation's "Doing Good in the World" makes it happen. Bill and Melinda Gates have now donated over $450 million to Rotary International, and their support has helped Rotary eliminate endemic polio in all but 5 of the world’s countries. Now, that is an accomplishment.

The Rotary Foundation is also responsible for the Ambassadorial Scholarship program. One of the ways that they support Rotary International’s mission of spreading goodwill and understanding is by sending youth abroad. 

Regina, a good friend of mine doing African Studies here at the University, is an Ambassadorial Scholar from South Carolina. During the meeting, several people were introduced and asked to stand. Some were donors, others were part of a newly formed club, and then there were the Ambassadorial Scholars. When Regina and I stood up, Boyd spread a huge smile like I had not seen all meeting. After the meeting, we rushed up to the head table where we shook hands with past and future District Governors and Rotary Foundation trustees. As we were moving along down the table, Boyd stood up and left before we got to him. I was disappointed for a second, but then I felt a hand on my shoulder.  I turned to find out he had come over to greet us! So honored, I told him that I know first-hand how much the Foundation’s investments pay off and how much of a difference they make.

The Ambassadorial Scholars and William Boyd,

a man who makes the scholarship possible.

(We called him the night before to find out what color tie he was going to wear).

We went on to talk for quite a while (interrupted of course by many pictures) about the future of the scholarship program. In two years, it will be called “Future Vision” and will be more vocationally-oriented. The Districts (who interview and actually distribute the scholarship) will also be in charge of determining how much the scholarship is worth for a particular year. 

It was a memorable lunch.