Absolutely Perfect Day in Accra

(These are two pictures of Never...he's in the blue clothing. More photos on Shutterfly.)

Absolutely Perfect Day in Accra

If I’ve learned one thing from this trip, is that we humans are resilient. This was a very important day in my life.

Eric and Eddy picked us up at 9am. We drove to the IOM offices and picked up our computers and equipment. It’s pretty amazing how easy it is to FedEx computers all over the world.

We drove through the wonderful streets of Accra. Andy and I both love it here. Some of the roads are rough, but it’s fun to bounce around in the SUV. There are people everywhere carrying the largest loads you can imagine on their heads. We weave through darting goats and chickens.

We pulled into the IOM center where the rescued children come for three months before going back to their homes. It is a compound with bunks, kitchens, and classrooms.

We pulled up and my heart skipped a beat with the realization that we had come so far and were about to meet the kids. From the moment Lisa called me from the plane, I knew I was going to meet these trafficked children, but I wasn’t prepared for how excited I would be in the real moment. We went into the room where they are served meals, and 33 anxious faces waited for us. We greeted them in a local language, and we saw these worried faces light up and the brilliant smiles came out.

The boys have been rescued from live of 16 hour days on fishing boats (small canoes) where they sit all day bailing out water, diving to untangle nets, and acquiescing to unimaginable beatings and abuse from “masters”. Some die from getting tangled in the nets in the deep water.

The girls have been rescued from lives of 16 hour days of cooking and cleaning for the fishing community. They get two small meals a day, and must stay awake to take the beatings and abuse from the “mistresses”.

We told them about what we were doing this week, and then Andy went to set up the computer lab. I asked if any of them had used computers, and, as I suspected, none had. As I was getting ready to teach them how to use the Flip video cameras, I asked if the boy named Never was here. A bright face looked up from the crowd and I immediately recognized. Lisa had become good friends with him and he featured prominently in the Oprah segment. I couldn’t believe I was meeting him…I felt honored.

Never turned out to be one of the most inquisitive, bright, good-natured students I’ve yet worked with. He immediately figured out the cameras, and then set out teaching all of the kids. A boy named Welcome came up and we showed the students how to conduct interviews. Then, we went outside and kids practiced with the cameras in their groups of three.

After they understood the mechanics of the cameras, I gave them lessons in perspective and some tips on taking interesting and personal photos and videos. Then, I told them to make music videos. They had a blast! Some of the kids performed some of the most amazing local dances. One kid did a dance that looked like a warrior dance, complete with guttural chants and stomping feet. I loved it.

Right before lunch, we sat in a circle and had a serious discussion about their movies. We talked about being honest and open from the heart. We explained that their stories would be seen by many, many people in the states. We wanted them to talk about what had happened to them, how they were rescued, how their lives have improved, and what dreams they have for the future. We then told them that they could tell viewers to go to the IOM website to help. The kids were SOOO happy to think that their films could help save the lives of friends they left behind after being rescued. I could see the determination in their eyes. A few talked about how powerful it felt to take control and do something that could actually help their friends who were still stuck in these horrible conditions.

Some of what I heard from them as we went around the group talking about all of the segments of their films had me instantly in tears. Many of the girls have whip marks on their legs. The boys talked of the terror they felt every day. Ben Adams talked about how he wondered every day if he would be alive that night. He was terrified of the water and was forced to dive so deep. He would sometimes panic and not know which way was up. He also talked about watching one of his friends die after getting caught in the nets.

We then turned the conversation to their situations today, and I was awestruck. Many of these students are prefects in their schools. They are determined to get good educations and learn everything they can. They have huge dreams, and are extremely grateful to IOM for their efforts to rescue them, and their ongoing efforts to rescue their friends. We sat for another ½ hour talking about their lives and goals. I walked away thinking that I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I wish every single person I know could spend just 20 minutes with these kids. Your heart would open and you would be amazed to be standing in the presence of some of the most enlightened and resilient children on this planet.

We had a lunch of Okra/Fish stew and the ever-present maize concoction that looks like a ball of dough. It was spicy and wonderful. We washed our hands in warm water, and then dug in with our fingers…scooping up the maize then dipping that in the savory stew. The kids sat at small tables and loved watching Andy and me eat with our fingers.

In the afternoon, Andy led the computer training. We realized in Kigoma that we had to spend a ton of time teaching them how to use the mice, because everything comes from that skill. Andy is amazing at what he does, and has come up with some of the best techniques for teaching computer skills to kids who have never used one. Never was the star pupil, of course, and he helped teach the other kids. They learned to click, drag, drop, etc. The learned to open files, close them, and open programs. Watching Andy lead these lessons was a beautiful thing to see. Best of all, the kids were THRILLED. To see a group of marginalized children go from 0 to 60 in one hour is such a treat. We left them playing computer pinball and making art in Paint. We ended the day with a discussion about how to best tell their stories and how to seamlessly go from one student in their group to the other, all the time weaving in examples of what they’ve been through, and how great their lives are now.

We came to the hotel for a brief moment to start uploading films for Gabriel, and then headed back for an evening with local officials. We had wonderful sausage and beer, and the kids interviewed the officials with the Flip cameras. Loved watching that interaction. We saw some more amazing dancing and singing, and then headed off. The kids all told us how excited they were to see us tomorrow. I took Never aside and we called Lisa. He was so excited to talk to her. Once we got her, he told her how much he missed her, loved her, and how great it was to learn so much in one day from Mr. Erik and Mr. Andy. I know it meant just as much to Lisa as it did to Never.

Andy and went with Eric downtown and saw an amazing show on the street. There was a great local band and a comedian who was so funny, Andy and I laughed not even knowing what he was saying.

In an hour, we off on a bus with the kids to go to a local village where we’ll film the kids’ narratives.

Again, I feel honored to be here.

Tomorrow.E