Getting to know Ghana!

While renovations continue at the Eight Oaks home, we have had the incredible opportunity to take a small tour of Ghana.  We travelled the true Ghanaian way (in tro-tro’s) with a wonderful, trustworthy Ghanaian friend, Atsu. I have no doubt his presence alone saved us much confusion and countless headaches. From Akatsi, we took a tro-tro to Accra (about 3 hours), and stayed a night in a Missionary Guest House. We boarded another tro-tro the next day and traveled (about 2 ½ hours) to the beautiful city of Cape Coast. Here, we had the opportunity to stay in the “The Baobab House,” a hostel that is run by a nonprofit that helps children with disabilities receive an education and vocational training. The kids at their school have the opportunity to learn useful skills such as tailoring and furniture-building.

Near Cape Coast is Kakum National Park. Kakum is a small area of preserved rainforest that functions as a wildlife sanctuary. Our guide took us on a tour of the canopy via rope-bridges that they have built in the top of the trees! Later that day our cab driver asked if we wanted to stop and see “the crocodiles”.  This was an exciting experience… (see pictures below!)

Our last major stop was at “Cape Coast Castle,” This sea-fort was used by European slave traders as a center for shipping slaves to potential buyers in Europe and North America. It was very haunting to see the small, dark dungeons where people were kept as they waited to be loaded onto ships that would take them from their homes forever. One of the first things our tour guide pointed out was a plaque placed prominently on the wall of the fort. It reads, “In everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots. May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We, the living, vow to uphold this.”

Now we are back in Akatsi, and it is good to be back! We will soon check up on the progress of the Eight Oaks home! We are very excited to see how it’s coming along. Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! We are so grateful for all of you!

With much love,
Kate and Landon

Kakum National Park

Landon's dream come true!

Landon running from the massive ocean spray!

Cape Coast

The Cape Coast Castle.
For more pictures of the slave fort, check out  Ellie's blog:
 http://www.8oaks.blogspot.com/2013/09/tread-lightly.html