Finally on travelpod.com
Trip Start
Jun 24, 2007
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Trip End
Aug 2007
Cape Coast, Ghana
Thursday, August 2, 2007
We are nearly at the end of our travel and I now have the luxury of the internet cafe without racing the clock to get the work done! I will add entries after we return.
We have completed our second OICI (Opportunities Industrialization Centers International) assignment -- to evaluate the potential for mushroom production at Jerusalem Farm in Edumfa, Ghana. After touring some of the farm and trekking through a small part of Kakum National Park -- a beautiful rain forest -- and cramming in internet research and re-creating a slide show five times, due to technical difficulties, we did a presentation on growing oyster mushrooms, reishi mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and cultivating a variety that grows wild here -- a straw mushroom also known as epu (eh POO) in in the local Fanti and domo in another dialect. We had also taken our host to visit the Food Research Institute in Accra and to a successful oyster operation there. In the FRI library I "happened to find" an agricultural journal article about a highly successful oyster mushroom in Uganda!
Local farmers came to the presentation. There was lot of interest, especially after they tasted the sauteed oyster mushrooms we cooked for them. Supposedly there are currently over 5,000 oyster mushroom growers in Ghana, but we're not seeing any mushrooms at the markets. It's a perfect crop as the time between purchasing the materials and the return is very short. The Mushroom is high in protein, niacin, and other nutrients; it tastes good; and it's easy to produce -- will grow on just about any decomposing organic matter. Douglass learned how to browse the internet (!) and he found a project proposal that could be of value to other growers.
The Jerusalem Farm folks decided to undertake a mushroom operation and it turned out they have the perfect facilities!
Cultural note: I am "Madam" (muh-DAHM), or mummy, or mommy, or auntie or sister. Douglass (as he is called here -- "Doug" is hard for the Ghanians to hear and to say) is daddy, papa, pop, uncle or brother. We are treated with respect. Children love to say, "How are you?" and answer "I am fine." when we ask them. We wave and are waved to a lot! Even though we often are the only Caucasians in a place, I am less aware that I am white here than that I am older here, among "the elderly" -- GASP! I am completely enjoying being a point of interest and highly attractive to children and dogs. I am holding babies and little kids' hands every day. They like to feel my skin. If I had known to carry toffee (any candy) and dole it out, I would look like the Pied Piper going through the village.
Comments
Good learning for all!
Sandra and Doug, It is great seeing your blog and learning a bit about your experiences. What a treat to share your knowledge and learn about their lives. I look forward to learning more! Happy Travels. -- Anne Collins
Can't wait to read more.
It all sound very interesting. Looking forward to more postings. Did you listen to any music while you were there?
-Arturo
Music
Yes, we couldn't help listening it music. It's everywhere! All the time! African rap and hip hop. Doug liked a rapper called Akon. We heard some live drumming -- very nice! At the prayer camp we heard LOTS of singing. I did a lot of chair dancing in restaurants and people laughed at me for moving or dancing whenever I was waiting and there was music. We bought a few CDs.
What an Experience!
Love reading about your experiences. This is an education like no other. All of Oklahoma should know about your trip and work - after all you are being ambassadors for all of us while being there. May you stay well for the remainder of the trip. I know that you are learning so much, as well as teaching. Thanks for the postcard. Look forward to photos posted on the MHS website when you get back.
God Bless.
Donna Coleman Mellos