I met a new friend today. I was leaving from the technical school from a day of writing and homework. As I approached the road I saw what I thought was a cab driving by so I waved. He waved and stopped. I told him I needed to get to town and back. I was headed into Patriensa to pick up chicken so I can make chicken broth and tonight’s supper…mofongo!
When we began driving he said we had met this weekend. I then remembered seeing him in church. He and his wife were celebrating during the service the naming of his child. It was an incredible event. I inquired to how his family was as we drove on.
He told me he had wanted to talk with me. He told me he wasn’t looking for money. He continued that he was a nurse and wanted to connect with NGOs who focus on health. He wants to launch efforts to educate and treat communicable diseases in the area. He talked about how big of a problem it is here in Ghana, specifically Hep B and HIV/AIDS.
How kismet! I told him I also had a health focus and part of my internship was trying to establish a health outpost in Patriensa. I told him the plan was for nurses and doctors to be stationed here and do health education for the community. He asked if it would be private or governmental. I told him governmental and he said good! So far we are rocking.
Then as we drove he once again addressed he was not looking for money. He told me that some people ask for money and don’t want to do the work to make change but that was not him. Then he said something that shattered me.
“We aren’t equal. We can’t be equal. This is what I believe”. I didn’t think I understood him so I asked him to repeat it. He went on to say he and “the whiteman” couldn’t be equal in these kinds of things.
What?! This is the exact logic I am supposed to be here overcoming and here it is right in front of my face as I ride in the car through the town.
Is this true? Not so much from a race perspective, but from a developed/developing country perspective. Can there not be equality in the relationship? Will partnerships not be forged that actually give the community the advantage and not the outsider (such as myself)?
This very notion is the basis of my research. If I had been less shaken I would have pursued that comment more. I am meeting with him soon to talk about his health education plans so I will explore it more then. Qualitatively of course!
My response to him was I believed there could be a balance in the relationship as long as there is open communication and understanding from the beginning. I told him that was the reason I was here for this internship.
Talk about an encounter to remember. Privilege and Oppression slapped me in the face today. I was so aware at that moment of what I represent, but at the same time so honored he wanted to share with me.
How do we break the cycle of development dependency? Shatter these norms that continue to enslave countries and people to be continuously indebted to us as we “help” them.
To what end does all of this make sense if I still leave here in May without the clear distinction of how this relationship is different. How do I (we) make it different?
…thoughts and insights appreciated
When we began driving he said we had met this weekend. I then remembered seeing him in church. He and his wife were celebrating during the service the naming of his child. It was an incredible event. I inquired to how his family was as we drove on.
He told me he had wanted to talk with me. He told me he wasn’t looking for money. He continued that he was a nurse and wanted to connect with NGOs who focus on health. He wants to launch efforts to educate and treat communicable diseases in the area. He talked about how big of a problem it is here in Ghana, specifically Hep B and HIV/AIDS.
How kismet! I told him I also had a health focus and part of my internship was trying to establish a health outpost in Patriensa. I told him the plan was for nurses and doctors to be stationed here and do health education for the community. He asked if it would be private or governmental. I told him governmental and he said good! So far we are rocking.
Then as we drove he once again addressed he was not looking for money. He told me that some people ask for money and don’t want to do the work to make change but that was not him. Then he said something that shattered me.
“We aren’t equal. We can’t be equal. This is what I believe”. I didn’t think I understood him so I asked him to repeat it. He went on to say he and “the whiteman” couldn’t be equal in these kinds of things.
What?! This is the exact logic I am supposed to be here overcoming and here it is right in front of my face as I ride in the car through the town.
Is this true? Not so much from a race perspective, but from a developed/developing country perspective. Can there not be equality in the relationship? Will partnerships not be forged that actually give the community the advantage and not the outsider (such as myself)?
This very notion is the basis of my research. If I had been less shaken I would have pursued that comment more. I am meeting with him soon to talk about his health education plans so I will explore it more then. Qualitatively of course!
My response to him was I believed there could be a balance in the relationship as long as there is open communication and understanding from the beginning. I told him that was the reason I was here for this internship.
Talk about an encounter to remember. Privilege and Oppression slapped me in the face today. I was so aware at that moment of what I represent, but at the same time so honored he wanted to share with me.
How do we break the cycle of development dependency? Shatter these norms that continue to enslave countries and people to be continuously indebted to us as we “help” them.
To what end does all of this make sense if I still leave here in May without the clear distinction of how this relationship is different. How do I (we) make it different?
…thoughts and insights appreciated
Thanks for the post! So this is actually something I struggled with continuously while I was there. I don't think we can have this discussion without bringing race into it because it is one of the core sources of this inequality. It could be a bit naive not to. I was constantly reminded of my place in the world as a white woman there and still have to process some of those feelings today. I think it is important to acknowledge the un-earned privileges that come with being white; especially a white man there... Dr. G is an awesome person for feedback on this one. The sting will subside and you will continue on with your amazing work. You are awesome and I know all your efforts are going to make a difference!!
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