Here's the cover of our book. It's on the way to the printers.
It's hard to put into a catagory. A little autobiographical, a little informational, and a lot of observations by Ellie about her 30 years in Ghana. It came partly from all the orientations for new arrivals at Aba House.
After being in Ghana a few days visitors think they've got it all figured out. They don't.

To pre-order a copy contact aba@culturalcollaborative.org

Cost of book is $15.00. Free shipping in the USA if you mention this blog.

All proceeds from sales go to educating the Aba House kids.

Puffin Grant

We are happy to announce that we have been awarded a 2012 Puffin Foundation Grant to continue our work in Ghana this summer. This grant was awarded to fund our project in Nungua which will help connect local artisans and tourists visiting our village.

We are looking forward to a productive summer!

Textile workshop in Ghana

July 8 - 21 ,2012

Memories of Africa Textile Workshop

sponsored by Cross Cultural Collaborative

This is an opportunity to work with indigenous African artists at our cultural center in Ghana.

Learn African textile techniques, visit traditional textile villages, go to large outdoor markets, galleries, museums and much more.

Please go to:

http://www.culturalcollaborative.org/textile2012.pdf

for details. If there are any questions : aba@culturalcollaborative.org

would you like to come to Ghana in February?

we are organizing a trip to Ghana for February 2012

we are flexible & want your visit to include things that are of interest to you - you can follow our recommendations or let us customize something just for you

the cost is US$400.00 a week for airport pickup - a room at our guest house across the street from the ocean - breakfast/ dinner & opportunities to interact with our Ghanaian neighbors

cost of guides & transportation to visit outdoor markets, traditional villages, galleries and sites of historical interest is determined by means of travel - taxi:van:tro-tro & number of participants

minimum stay is any 2 weeks in February (or longer if you'd like)

signup deadline is January 1, 2012

contact aba@culturalcollaborative.org for questions- more details or payment options

check out our website: http://www.culturalcollaborative.org

summer in Ghana-culturalcollaborative.org

As we landed in Accra Aretha Franklin was singing, "I'm going to stay here 'til I rest my soul." I'm not sure that applied to us as our summers may be soulful, but rarely restful.

There is a certain rhythm to life in Ghana, both literally and metaphorically and once you get into step, you fit right in. It's a slow dance.."no hurry in life"..no straight lines. To follow the beat it's best to circle around, do a few back steps and slide right in. Some visitors get the hang of it and some, to the amusement of locals, do not. At Aba House we do our best to keep everyone dancing.

This summer the Aba House kids taught visitors how to make paper from sugar cane leaves and how to do bookbinding.

We taught Louise tie and dye and batik and sent her off to Ntonso for an adinkra lesson.

Alastair and Katie accepted invitations to attend weddings and then settled down to teach computer skills and book arts.

Alastairs wife Caroline had been a volunteer a few years ago and did a memorable performance of Hamlet with the Aba House kids. Caroline died last year and Alastair came to continue her support of one of our kids schooling.

Our returned Peace Corps visitors met the American ambassador and partied with fellow RPC members in celebration of the Peace Corps 50th anniversary.

For three months people came to visit, interact and eat Talk True's vegetarian meals. His ginger tea made everyone happy. That recipe will be in the cookbook that we're putting together.

We left Ghana on Kwame Nkrumahs' birthday, now an official holiday.

Plans are in progress for 2012.

Charlie is coming back with a group of university art students and Michael is returning with his high school students. Both groups will do volunteer work with our kids and enjoy a tour in Ghana.

As always, we will offer workshops that introduce people to African culture, opportunities to volunteer, work with Ghanaian teachers and artists and visit traditional villages.

Let us know what you want to do and we can arrange it !

May 2012 be your year to dance with us at Aba House.

Here's an article about us from a local newspaper: www.baystatebanner.com/local17-2011-08-18

Greenie's blog

Greenie is a teacher from Chicago,USA who was with us in Ghana last summer and she is coming back.

She kept a much more detailed blog than we did, so I am listing it here in case you'd like to get an idea of what a summer is like at Aba House.

http://kidconnections.wordpress.com

summer at Aba House

The world didn't come to an end (as predicted) on May 21, so we are going ahead with our summer plans.

Summer programs at Aba House are in session from July 11 -Sept. 21.

This is the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps which started in Ghana. There is a big party planned in Accra at the end of August and we are hosting some RPCV's. If you're looking for someplace to stay, consider our guest house across the street from the ocean.

We are no longer with EARHTLINK , so don't use any of our emails that end in earthlink.net.

aba@culturalcollaborative.org will reach us.

Recently we participated in a book launch party with BOOKS OF HOPE. A wonderful organization in Boston that works with children who have come from Haiti. The children write and publish books of poetry and prose... very empowering. Our long term goal is to have them collaborate with our kids in Ghana. www.booksofhope-ma.org

When different cultures connect, it's a win win situation for everyone.

If you're interested in hearing about our other collaborations, workshops and programs you can sign up for our mailing list at http://www.culturalcollaborative.org