What it's like to be “Overseas”

By Kristy Minor on March 05, 2008 - Comments (View)

Kristy Minor is an environmental engineering graduate working in Ghana as part of an Engineers Without Borders initiative. Currently working with Community Driven Initiatives for Food Security (CIFS) she is co-ordinating projects and helping to build the capacity of local government and its sub-structures. Kristy will continue to share her experiences and challenges on Red Canary

It is one thing to be overseas in terms of being an ocean away from your home country, it is another thing to be overseas within your own country.

Canoe, Bike and All!

The “overseas” I am talking about is here, in Ghana, specifically in East Gonja. There are no seas that run through Ghana, but when the rainy season hits it cuts off communities from their District Assembly (local government), and roads to market and hospital facilities.

The rainy season is usually from May until July or August, and during this time the river levels rise, the low areas fill with water and communities are cut off. In East Gonja, there are areas that are divided literally by the Volta River that cuts off a large section all year round. These parts of the District are accessible in 3 possible ways:

1. Cross the River in a Ferry that is very old and could be on its last run at any time
2. Cross the river in a canoe (with your motorbike too)
3. Drive around the lake through other districts—taking hours to get to communities on the other side.

The Path to the River

I’m from Welland, Ontario. Driving around the lake would be similar to Welland having no bridge across its canal; you’d have to drive to St. Catharine’s to Fort Erie and back into Welland to get to the other side (on a motorcycle traveling unpaved roads). This is the reality of field workers and government workers here in East Gonja.

Imagine trying to schedule a project, or field visit during this time of year. It makes it nearly impossible during these months to mobilize to these communities. Now imagine you were a farmer going to market with only a bicycle, or a bucket to carry on your head.

My family in Tamale comes from Sung, a small village in Tolon just north of Tamale. For them, going to the village during the rainy season means hiking in knee deep water for an hour, then getting into a canoe and finally getting to the bank and walking to the village. I have never been to Sung as it has been the rainy season during my stay, and they do not think I can endure the trip.
The Divide
I think they are right.

I cannot imagine living in one of these communities and the difficulties during these months.

Being overseas is one thing, but being overseas and cut off in your own country is a struggle that I will never fully understand.