30 Pledges of 30 Dollars in 30 Days

Hello friends,

Please read this blog to see how you can assist in a modest fundraising effort we are pursuing on behalf of some of the students at my school here, Two Roses International School. Continue reading to see what you will be able to do for just $30...

What will your $30 buy? With your pledge and gift, the school will be able to purchase the English, Math, Social Studies, Science, French, ICT, and Student's Companion books for one student junior high school student.

Who will your gift benefit? The books will be purchased for all of the present sixth and seventh grade students* AND the entire incoming sixth grade class. The great thing about this $30 gift is that the incoming students will use these same books for all three years of junior high school.

Why are we soliciting this specific gift? - 2 reasons
1) the obvious and most salient reason is to lighten the financial burden on behalf of the parents when it comes to purchasing books and other school materials and
2) one of the best ways to ensure the long term viability and growth of the school is to consistently produce students who pass the state's Senior High School entrance exam (B.E.C.E), making it more attractive to other families. None of the students I teach own all of their necessary books and very few are short three or less. In providing the resources of books we are not only aiming to meet the short term challenge of lack of resources, but also investing in the long term goal of the school's sustainability.

*I am aware that some of you may be asking the question: If some students already have some books why are you asking for $30 for each of the 30 students? That is a fair question and the answer is quite simple. The need for the incoming class of JHS 1 is actually closer to $40, however by raising $30 for each student the math works out such that all of the students (i.e. the rising 6th-8th graders) will have the books they haven't yet been able to purchase or as in the case of the rising 6th graders, all of their books will be purchased.

If you would like to make a pledge, please send me an email (mcgutd4@gmail.com) with the subject "30 Pledges of 30 Dollars in 30 Days" and I will reply with specific directions on how to make your donation. Also if you think someone you know may be interested in assisting us in this modest endeavor, feel free to forward them this email.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this blog. And if you find it in your heart the desire AND in your wallet the ability to make a pledge thank you in advance.

Many blessings,

Donte' McGuire

On the Road again...

Well now we're out of the worst traffic we'll experience on the "going" route, this is usually the time where I try to make myself as comfortable as possible so that I can go to sleep! (I am amazed everyday at how I manage to get up at 4:30am, 4:50 when I employ my friend the snooze :)). But since you are riding with me today, I shall stay awake...

If you are wondering what those 15-17 passenger, fully packed, vans that line the street going both ways are, they are called "tro tros." (image of a tro tro) http://umed.med.utah.edu/get_involved/clubs/international/Images/tro-tro.gif The tro tro is one of the most common ways of traveling for many people living in Accra. They are cheap, and... well that's pretty much it. You don't ride a tro tro for space, air condition, or any form of comfort, believe me, I know first hand! Littered throughout the traffic as we drive along, you'll also see a Mercedes Benz, a Toyota Truck, and other high end expensive cars. You don't have to get out of your car to notice that all of Ghana is not poverty stricken. Today, if we drive near the Airport you will see many huge houses, which in the states (pre economic recession) would cost a minimum of $400,000! But for now look over there on our right at the towering 10 plus stories bank or just ahead there at the splendid football (American soccer) stadium!Yes you did read the sign correctly which says "Dedicating Ghana back to God 2009."

You will learn very quickly that Ghana is an extremely religious country, politically speaking. Culturally speaking I can only speak for Accra, mostly Christian and located in the south of the country, but will admit my ignorance concerning the northern part of the country, which is mostly Muslim (there is also a huge development gap between the south and the north; hopefully not another shameful example of how Christian hands can reach up to God but not out to others). But as for Accra, just look at the back window of any taxi or tro tro and you'll see messages reading: "God is First", "Thank you Jesus", "Christ is Lord." Look see there, it's not just the cars that bare these religious one liners, those are businesses not churches (or religious centers) with names such as: "God is good, Inc." which sells auto parts or "The Anointing of the Lord" which sales women clothing. (I always joke that even if someone did want to buy some Ghanaian products from their stores, they definitely wouldn't be using a directory of any sort to search them out). HEY!! Why didn't you laugh?!?! :) Now that we've passed the toll we're only a few minutes from the village and our school. It has been my pleasure to have you come along with me and I hope you enjoyed yourself. And if you think this ride was too long just give thanks to God you only had to do it once!

This blog is dedicated to my family members and friends who have passed to the other side. At times I sit and allow my mind to remember my great grandmother's humor or my aunt's faith and I am moved deeply to live a life worthy of the legacy and faith they've passed on to me. They are one of the reasons I make sure to tell at least one person every day that I love them. In a testament that we will never forget, I dedicate this blog to you; Love me.

Rush Hour!

If I have talked with you personally for over 5 minutes since I have been here with Ghana, there is one topic that I am 100% positive has come up: TRAFFIC!!! Upon my arrival, my brother Michael tried to warn me of how bad traffic is here....let's just say EVERY hour in Accra is rush hour. I spend anywhere from 4-7 hours a day in a car traveling back and forth to school, and praise God we have air condition :). It took me a week to realize that the car would become my second home, so I decided to make the most of the situation and observe as much as possible. And soon afterI got an idea for my next couple of blogs. . . so I invite you to come, take a ride with me and see a little more of Ghana through my eyes.

We have already passed the rain eroded dirt road, once able to allow two cars to pass at once (now only one car can pass at a time), and are on one of the main (paved) roads in the city. We will take a left turn here to pass through the township, Teshie, because it is a short cut. As we pass ahead you will see one representation of how the lower class lives in Ghana.

Yes, those are goats and chickens that you see navigating the streets as if they were human residents. And no rolling up your window won't save your nostrils from the stench that will pass away in about 5 seconds. Just ahead as we inch, literally, our way ahead, you will see a young boy just returning from fetching water, with a bucket full on his head. ::chuckling:: I too was amazed to see the balance of such a young child, knowing that if it were up to me, let's just say some unexpected stranger would get a roadside shower or some car a free rinse. But then there are the many young pupils who are going to school in their uniforms, some brown and orange others khaki and blue. They stand out among the few men and women who standing on their front porch our road, are brushing their teeth or wearing a towel (just out of or heading into the shower). Many other men are walking to their respective work. And the women are preparing all types of food, some for their household and others to sell: boiled eggs, fish, packing bread, among others.

After buying the much needed Daily Graphic newspaper, we head out of our 1.5 mile short cut. Yes you are reading the clock correctly, it has taken us roughly 35 minutes to pass through!!! We'll continue our ride next blog...

This blog is dedicated to the mentors God has blessed me with in my life, I truly believe in listening to the voices of the elders as essential in one's maturation process. While I try to learn from almost everyone I know, these people have shown through their time and presence in my life the love goes beyond familial bond. So shouts out to: Pastors Luther and Robin Moore (my spiritual parents), Pastors Jayson and Mia Sloan, Marcus Ingram, and Shaun and Darlene (Mama D) Starnes! Love you all.

Change 08

Towards the end of last year, I and countless others around the world (maybe even you) were anxiously awaiting the outcome of the U.S. Presidential Election. However just across the Atlantic something quite impressive was occurring in Africa's democracy. Here in Ghana, for the first time in the history of the 'The Continent', a country had two successful democratic transition of powers (i.e. between parties). Although it gained it's independence from Britain in 1957, Ghana's first transition of democratic power didn't occur until the year 2000. This year was a tightly contested battle between the two leading parties, New Partriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), with the latter slightly coming out on top in a runoff. And can you believe it, they too ran on the slogan of "Change."

I arrived just days after the announcement of Professor J.E.A Mills as the next president of Ghana. Too late to catch all of the fervor leading up to the elections, but in time to learn how deeply Ghanaians identify with their political party. January was a month of "reflection" for many of the radio stations and newspaper(s). Discussions ranged from the condemnation of the media for neglecting its responsibility as a neutral observer, to calling on each party to accept their roles in heightening hostilities amongst their constituencies, to people simply thanking God that the country did not fall into violent conflict.

There were stories of people being physically harassed/intimidated not to vote, and one man who committed suicide because his party lost, but the story that has stuck with me was one I experienced personally. On my first day in the classroom one of my students, Anita Dennis, said, "your president is Obama" (I concurred), then she asked, "do you know who my president is?" Sure, I siaid "President John Mills." She smiled and proudly corrected me, it's "President John Evans Atta Mills and our vice presdent is John Mahama." Reflecting upon that moment I realized that Anita, like myself, had the opportunity to accept as common, not take for granted, peaceful politics (i.e. absent of physical violence). Who knows maybe one day Ghana will be hailing President Anita Dennis as their new leader. If she knew I wrote this she wouldn't be able to restrain herself from laughing, the same way I imagine many did before change came to American politics!

This blog is dedicated to my grandmother, better known as Mama Luv. As far as my memory goes back, she has been there every step of the way giving selflessly, often to sustain our family. I pray that I am able to prove her labor not to have been in vain! CONGRATULATIONS on your retirement! Love you and we will celebrate as soon as Keon gets back from South Africa ;)!

Sir Donte!

As you know I am here in Accra, Ghana as a volunteer teacher, instructing in the subjects of English and Math to 6th and 7th grade students. Actually the school is located in a village in the Greater Accra region, much more rural than the capital city itself. The name of the school is Two Roses International School and it is a private school, created by my hostess, Mrs. Rosemond Mahmoud (my brother Michael Mahmoud's mother).

Individually the school as any has its challenges, but personally I believe one of the biggest is lack of resources (e.g. there is no library). Yet read a Daily Graphic Newspaper (my favorite pass time when sitting in 2hr traffic) and flip to the education section and you will learn that this is not a problem confined to a minority of schools. And not to paint an overly primitive picture, but I read an article where students were having classes under trees, meaning they can't have classes if there's inclement weather. But one thing the school does have is a great visionary in Mrs. Mahmoud and a staff dedicated to helping the students achieve. The culture here is quite different than I've experienced before, in that the majority of the teachers and administration see the students as younger brothers and sisters or sons and daughters and are deeply concerned about their educational attainment. This I think (and pray) is going a long way to offset many of the negative impacts.

Lastly my students are much more respectful and refer to their masters (instructors) by "sir" or "madam." They are no angels, they are still 6th and 7th graders, but one thing I can appreciate about Ghana (i.e. through my eyes/mind) is that there's a culture tradition, preserved by the majority, of expecting high moral standards. There is much work to be done, but it's always easier to continue in a difficult task when people are just plain nice :)!


This blog is dedicated to my parents, Derrick and LaTanya Howard who are the bestest ever!! They placed high value on my brothers and I making God and our education high priority and for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you for ALWAYS believing in me, love you!

Akwaaba (Welcome)

Atop the first building I saw stepping off the plane was this one word: Akwaaba. So in the true spirit of this blog I say to you, "Akwaaba." After returning from Chile, S. America I was often asked, "So how was it?" And more often than not it was extremely difficult to relay in that moment what I felt was an adequate answer (i.e. for me at least, I am aware we often ask questions not expecting a genuine answer :)). Therefore I have decided to keep a blog of my time here in Accra, Ghana.But above all this is my small way of doing virtually what I cannot accomplish in reality, which is bring all of my family and friends here with me to experience Ghana for themselves! Maybe one day I will be able to, who knows.

This is my first time blogging and I will be first to say I don't know all the "rules." One aspect of my blog however I would love for you to pay close attention to is the very end. At the end of every blog, I will dedicate each blog to someone(s) who I believe deserve some recognition and since I can't pull an Oprah and buy everyone cars, this is my little way of saying "thank you" and "I am thinking of you."

I hope you enjoy the blogs and your comments are welcomed!

Peace and Love,

Donte