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