The New Scoop on Vaccinations

The first thing to do is find out what insurance you have. It is on the health form I gave you today. Or ask your folks. Then contact them and tell them about this trip, that it is required, and ask where you should go. Now, most docs cannot, cannot give the Yellow Fever shot. So you need to go where you can get everything. There is a doc here who can do all this; find out if he is in your network. His name is:

Curtis Gongwer, M.D.
(574) 288 1200
He is located just north of
St. Joe Hospital in
Medical Pavillion 1
Click here for directions

When you find out what insurance you have, also call his office to make sure the insurance works there and to set up an appointment.

Now, the cheaper route if insurance looks like it may not cover it is the St. Joseph County Health Department. You can go there individually or in small groups, to receive the vaccinations. Then you can get the anti Malaria meds at a nearby pharmacy. Here are their phone numbers. Health Department for shots: (574) 256 6233 You can tell them you are with the Holy Cross group going to Ghana. They are located at 219 Lincoln Way West, Mishawaka IN 46544.

The pharmacy is locally owned Merrill Pharmacy. The person there will help you select the right Malaria med. Their number is (574) 255 2988. They are at 606 North Main Street in Mishawaka, near the Health Clinic. My suggestion is to go there after getting your vaccinations. The people at the Health Clinic can help direct you.

To Get Mapquest directions to Health Clinic from HCC, CLICK HERE.

Here are the recommended shots and prices at the health clinic. For those getting them elsewhere, this is the list, but the prices will surely not be this low.
Hepatitis A $33
Hepatitis B (most have had it; but if not, then Hep A and B = $50
Yellow Fever (required) $80
tetanus $8
polio (only for those 21 yrs and older) $37
MMR $50 most have had this
typhoid $58
meningitis $97 many have had this for college

Malaria medication: all depends, there are 3 options that you need to consult with a pharmacist or a doctor about. On Thursday, I will have for you an official letter that will help getting insurance to reimburse for this. But I would get started RIGHT AWAY in setting up appointments.

Ghana 2007: July 22 - August 8

As this summer's trip gets closer, this blog will be updated to make sure all details are in order. This is a place that you and your family can find quick info on the trip.

One thing all can do now is make sure they have a Passport or have ordered a Passport. All info needed to get a Passport can be found on this link.

Yes, there will be postings here from Ghana, so your family and friends can follow the trip!

For now, all those going on the 2007 trip should introduce themselves. One thing you can also do NOW is tell us what your Ghanaian name is (along with your American name, of course!). The Ghanaian name simply comes from the day of the week on which you were born. To figure out the day on which you were born, go to this link.

Okay, so share who you are, your hopes and fears for the trip, and any questions you have.

FANTE: Lesson 1

Here are some basic words from the tribal language in Cape Coast, Ghana, where the Bros host us. Of course, they speak English too. But Fante is more fun! Ignore my spelling, because I wrote their words how we will SAY them:

Thank you = maydasi; your welcome = may su medasi
No thank you = may n dasi
Good morning = mah chi
Good afternoon = mah ha
Good night = mah jwi
upon entering a room/house = ah go; response is ah may
How are you? = oatsay den? or eti sane?
I’m fine = bokoh or eh yeh or me hoye
By God’s grace = Nyame ahdome
Welcome = Akwaaba; response: yoh
Other greeting responses = ya nya (equal) ya ejah (elder)
What’s your name = wo hoatsay den? or ye fro o sehn?
My name is = ye fremi…
I like... = maypay…
Do you like… = wo pay…
A lot = peeeee or papaapa
A little bit = kiti kiti kiti
x is beautiful = x ye fay
You are beautiful/handsome = wo hoye fay
God bless you = Nyame inshirawu
After a sneeze… = inkwa (to your health)
Yes = inyo; No = oho or dabe
You are my new friend = oye maydanfu
I don’t understand = may n tsesi
I have no $ = may nyishka
I have returned = mah bah
I am tired = mahbray
Sleep well = Da iyay
I slept well = maydah papaapa
Where are you going? Erekwohin?
I’m going… = May reko…
Look! = tshay!
Dance! = Sah!
Water = nsu

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GHANA!!!!!!

Today marks 50 years of Independence. Ghana led the way for "Black Africa" to emerge from colonial rule. And 50 years, too, for the Holy Cross Bros in Ghana. Happy Anniversay!

So the big question is whether this photo is of the one of the Brothers? The answer, for those who have not been there, is that it very well could be, but the absence of the Cross and Anchors logo gives away that, alas, it is not a Bro.

An Experience worth having - don't miss it!

When I first organized the "Through the Eyes of Faith: Holy Cross Ghana" program in Ghana in the Summer of 2000, little did I know that this program will develop into what it has become now: an experience changing for many students who come to Ghana on such trips. Every student group that comes to Ghana is different. They come with possibilities, excitements and challenges but in the midst of those possibilities, excitements and challenges, God uses them to touch the lives of the students and non-students alike on such trips. That is the beauty and workings of God. Through faith we discover how God is at work in our lives. With openness of heart and mind, through thoses experiences we have on such trips, we encounter God through the people and the events; meanings are embedded those experiences. It is those meanings that become a changing experience for most of us; it helps us discover a bit of about ourselves.

Let me share an experience with you. I just came back from Dunkwa on Offin through Kumasi this evening (Feb 21, 2007). I brought a 17-year-old young girl to school. This girl is given reason to hope for the future through the generosity of one of you. I see this kind gesture as God responding to the needs of this needy young girl through you. What a difference you have made in keeping this girl's hope alive. I thank you on behalf of her.

To those who are exploring the possibility of coming to Ghana or to go to Peru, don't be afraid to venture into that unknown path. Ghana and Peru are different countries with different cultural, and economic backgrounds that have possibilities and challenges. This year, Ghana is celebrating its Golden Jubilee as an independent country from Britain. Holy Cross is also celebrating its golden jubilee of ministerial presence in Ghana. Ghana as a country is going through a period of peaceful development in economics, structural and social change. We in Holy Cross are also developing along with Ghana. We are excited about it and we want you to be part of our dream of creating new ministries through education where educating the hearts and minds of our peoples becomes paramount. Our new Holy Cross school is gradually becoming a reality as the land is secured. Come the next five years you will not have to travel long distance on your first day in Ghana, our school in Kasoa will be ready!

To the students and parents who want to experience Ghana and its people, I will urge you to come. You have nothing to be afraid of. Ghana is a save place. The people are hospitable and friendly. We the Holy Cross community in Ghana will do our best to ensure that your trip is memorable one. Your welfare while in Ghana is our greatest concern and we do well to ensure that. You are welcome to Ghana, Akwaaba!

Memories

We landed in Accra after about a 10 hour flight from New York. I thought to myself, "I am in Ghana." I could not comprehend the impact the next few weeks would have on my life. Sitting back at Holy Cross in April, we were learning so much classroom material about Ghana, I thought the day would never come that I would actually be there in a few short months. I am sure many of you have heard this and have probably even said it, but it needs to be said again and again. It is a truly eye-opening and impacting journey.
The people I met, the friendships I made, not only with the Brothers down there, but the students I went with, I will carry with me. I still miss the smell and the sight of driving along the road by the coast and taking it all in. Even the market, which was a unique smell, will sometimes creep into my memory as I sit and class and miss Ghana.
I truly hope that anyone who gets a chance takes the opportunity of a lifetime, to change their life, build friendships, and live with our brothers and sisters in Ghana for a few weeks. I promise you, a piece of Ghana will always stay with you.