First, Bro Paul just wrote me with a good tip: "Let me draw your attention to the fact that Ghana re-denominated its currency starting July 1, 2007. Now the value of the Ghanaian cedi is worth more than the US dollar. For example $1 is equivalent to 92 or 93 pesewas depending on the exchange rate. It means that with $1 you don't get GH¢1. My experience is that many students will spend between 100 and up. I am writing this so that they can prepare otherwise they may not be able to buy much if they bring little money."
Second, I want to make sure you know now of the fact that Holy Cross College, of course, pays the Brothers for all of your food, lodging, and fees in Ghana. The one thing the school will not pay for is your alcohol. It is not that alcohol is evil, just that we do not know how each of you handles alcohol. So here is the deal:
Now, in terms of alcohol, the arrangement is simple: yes, you can provide alcohol. We suggest that the basic guide would be:
-you will not have alcohol with meals, except on particular festive occasions
-on those occasions, the Brothers will provide alcohol, but only enough for one or two per person.
-You will give Brother Chris a buck for each beer you had. It will not be an awkward pay-at-the-moment thing. Rather, using the honor system, you will give him the $ later.
Lastly, just let me urge you to know yourself. If you can enjoy a beer, fine, but if you tend to want more and more, avoid it. We do not want to be the Ugly Americans who come in like Frat Boys or Party Girls and spend in a night of drinking what it takes many Ghanaians a month to earn.
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District of West Africa
Jay Dunne and his students
This is a typical room, very nice!
This is our dining room
scene from Cape Coast
with Cardinal Turkson
The Retreat Center where we stay
Mary Miller with her pupils
Republic of Ghana
Brothers of Holy Cross - Midwest Province
District of West Africa
Holy Cross Service Corps
The Holy Cross Service Corps is one of the newest endeavors of Holy Cross College. HCSC is a post-graduate service program housed in the Center for International Programs. The concept for the year of voluntary service was born out of the enthusiasm exhibited by our students returning from their International Experience. So many of our students return saying the same thing, “I want to go back!” HCSC gives our graduates the incredible opportunity to return to the sites of their International Experience to help advance the mission of the Brothers of Holy Cross.
In July of 2007 the inaugural volunteer for the Holy Cross Service Corps left the United States for a year of service alongside the Brothers in Ghana, West Africa. The undertaking was a complete success and will spur the growth of this exciting new program to include our other International Experience sites. A great deal of work will be done throughout this year to continue to structure this program so that our graduates may continue the mission of Holy Cross which “sends us across borders of every sort.”
HCSC Mission Statement
The mission of the Holy Cross Service Corps is to provide volunteers, or Moreau Fellows, named after the founder of the Holy Cross Congregation Fr. Basil Moreau, with an opportunity to improve their personal relationships with Jesus Christ through service, simple-living, and prayer. The goal of HCSC is to establish a more intimate relationship between the professed brethren and the laity all the while advancing the mission of the Holy Cross brothers as educators in the faith.
In July of 2007 the inaugural volunteer for the Holy Cross Service Corps left the United States for a year of service alongside the Brothers in Ghana, West Africa. The undertaking was a complete success and will spur the growth of this exciting new program to include our other International Experience sites. A great deal of work will be done throughout this year to continue to structure this program so that our graduates may continue the mission of Holy Cross which “sends us across borders of every sort.”
HCSC Mission Statement
The mission of the Holy Cross Service Corps is to provide volunteers, or Moreau Fellows, named after the founder of the Holy Cross Congregation Fr. Basil Moreau, with an opportunity to improve their personal relationships with Jesus Christ through service, simple-living, and prayer. The goal of HCSC is to establish a more intimate relationship between the professed brethren and the laity all the while advancing the mission of the Holy Cross brothers as educators in the faith.
Jay Dunne and his students
The Ghana Global Immersion Experience
This is a 17 day experience in Ghana, a culture ancient yet ever-changing, poor yet developing. In that land are some of the most significant sites in the history of the world. For example, we visit the slave prisons that held millions of Africans when the coast of Ghana was the center of the slave trade, beginning in the 1500's. We spend time with church officials, like Ghana's only Cardinal, Peter Kodwo Turkson. And we spend much time at the retreat center where the Holy Cross Brothers share their life with us. Below are some pictures. Also, fyi, the emergency contact with us in Ghana:
Brother Paul Mensah, CSC
Telephone: 011-233-910-1624 or
011-233-42-91482
Mobile: 011-233-20-834-4631
His email is: pkmensahcsc@yahoo.com
Brother Paul Mensah, CSC
Telephone: 011-233-910-1624 or
011-233-42-91482
Mobile: 011-233-20-834-4631
His email is: pkmensahcsc@yahoo.com
This is a typical room, very nice!
This is our dining room
scene from Cape Coast
with Cardinal Turkson
The Retreat Center where we stay
Mary Miller with her pupils
Of course, the trip is about more than history, and so we will encounter more than anything else the beautiful people of Ghana and the indomitable Ghanaian spirit. A phrase that will be heard often coming from the local children is "Bruni, Bruni!" meaning, "hey white people!" It is quite an experience to be in the minority, but they make us feel quite welcome.
Another important aspect of the program is to experience the amazing Holy Cross Brothers. They show us a hospitality and friendship beyond what we could hope for. We begin each day by joining them for morning Mass in the beautiful Brother Andre Chapel, and they brighten each day by accompanying us on our journeys.
We will also visit the world famous Kakum Rain Forest, home to a unique canopy walk--rope bridges that allow us to walk the treetops. Are you ready?!
Contributors
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24 comments:
yes, we want to represent holy cross and america as honorably as possible.
ama kirsten
I agree. We should be dignified and respectful at all times.
Ama Jill
brenda cici
aight
efua chantel
So is $200 a good amount to bring?-Ama Nichole
I understand.-Kofi Wes Solmos
works for me - Kwame Nachtegall
works for me too - Kofi Andy
works for me three - Kweku Steve
Agree with everything!
Ekua (Kristine)
Well said.
Kyle Yaw
Got it! Samantha Larson (Ama)
makes sense to me. -kweku tim
OK! -Amara Esi
Ama Krystal
Yaw Ted
good to know,
Kwaesy Neumann
Hello to all from Cape Coast Africa! It is very warm and very very humid here. The plane rides went smoothly, even though leg space was at a premium. The group has had minimal instruction and done very well holding their own. There have been no problems to speak of! Hi mom dad josh alica clare and all who can see this! I can not really describe the sights and places we have seen in this message: this place is plain amazing. I have to make this short, so I love you all, thank you much Clare for that book, I love it. Happy Birthday Cody and Kyle, have fun and remember mine is Aug 20!!! Clare, let everybody know that there is where I will be writing, under the comments section of the title "Money and More". I love you bebe and everyone else! I'll blog as soon as I can get back on, time for goat meat sandwiches for lunch, thank god I have all that candy! ----Kweku Tim Holy
do joe nedvideks run wild through the fields of ghana??
Yes Yes Yes-The locals call them Nevidaz-which means STAFF
Andy, Hope you are all having a wonderful time. I can't wait to hear all of the stories through your eyes. Mary, Caroline and I miss you very much and know you are experiencing something that that will affect you for the rest of your life. Can't wait to keep reading the blogs.
Love,
Mom
Does goat milk really make you poop?
I hope the mosquitos aren't bigger than chachi's head.
Rich bthorn
Dear Andy,
I hope you are thoroughly embarrassed by Mom's comment. :) Have a drink-- people will eventually forget about it.
Love,
Mary
ANDY AKA: stinky Inky
how are you ? i hope that you are having alot of fun!! i cant wait for you to come back, i miss you alot
love caroline AKA: the bestest!!!
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