Krobo Going Away Party

On Tuesday my Krobo office held my going away party. While I am only moving to Accra they wanted to wish me well and thank me for everything that I had done for them in the last two years. I told them that I did not want anything big but of course that was ignored.

The event started at noon and Gladys handed me a handwritten program! I could not believe that she had come up with a program; she has come so far in the last year. The program was as follows:

Opening Prayer
Local Songs
Aim of Program
Presentation of Gifts
Rebecca’s Speech
Refreshments
Closing Prayer

One of the bead makers gave the opening prayer in Krobo and then Gladys translated, then some of the bead makers sang a local song giving thanks to God for the work that we have done and asking him to watch over me when I travel. Then the women that I work with sang and danced another song praying for me and thanking God.
Gladys then said explained why we were all there and opened up the floor to anyone who wanted to say something. Just like back at home, no one wanted to be first to speak, finally Julie stood up and said that she was speaking on behalf of all of the market ladies for working with them and for bringing more people through the market. She thanked me for explaining to them how American’s like to shop, she said by not pressuring the customers it has increased their sales. Abraham, a bead maker, said that because I was so picky and wanted such good quality in what I bought his quality has improved on all of his products and his sales has improved. Grace, another bead maker, said that she had learned some small English from me and appreciated the increase in orders. Gladys, my production manager, said that she learned that if you want to succeed you have to be a hard worker no matter what. She said that when I would come back from a trip to Accra I would always see what needed to be done and then would do it no matter how tired I was. Grace, one of the assemblers, said that she learned to be accountable and that when she made a mistake I treated her as everyone else and that no one got special treatment in our office.

They then said that I was like the rain to a farmer’s crops. Without rain a farmer could not grow his crops and then could not make any money. They said that without me they could not have increased their sales and they would not have been able to send their children to school or save for their future goals. I know that this is a huge exaggeration of what I have done, they have done the work. I just gave them some advice but it is nice to know that they have listened to what I have had to say and it worked.

They then presented me with gifts of beads, cloth and the office all contributed to give me a queen mother’s Kente clothe and slippers. I changed into my kente outfit and put on as many of the beads as I could and danced into the office. I gave my speech to the group and thanked them for welcoming me into their community and making me feel like part of their families.

We then had some drinks and took pictures. I could not believe how much they presented me with; I was fighting back tears during the whole thing. I would have been completely happy if they had all just stood up and said what they had learned from me but if I did not take what they offered they would have been insulted and that is the last thing that I wanted to do to my new extended family.

It will be hard to leave them on Sunday even though I am only going to Accra and I can come back to visit. The people here have been so welcoming to me and my family. It is not something that can truly be explained it is something that has to be experienced. I know that the next volunteer will have a wonderful experience as well as long as they keep an open mind and try to spend time with as many people as possible.