I Don't Know About You, But I'm Feeling 22!

Hi friends and family,

In case you didn't know, my birthday is November 26th, which is next Tuesday. I will be turning 23 years old! YAHOO! Anyways, since I won't be home to physically celebrate I thought I'd give you some other options  =D  

 

 

Please check out my friend Jessica's project for her school and donate to her cause, the links are below.

 https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=13-641-033

www.Jessicakeeton.blogspot.com

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oyhd9b7rxko65sn/School%20Construction%20Project.wmv

 You can also feel free to send me a package/letter to:

Samantha Bobbe, PCV
Peace Corps Ghana
P.O. Box 5796
Accra-North, Ghana
West Africa 

 

Receiving any type of mail is always amazing! I like chocolate and any other goodies like that. Velveta cheese is awesome here or any cheese flavored things. Deodorant is appreciated. Or really anything else you could think of including will be put to good use somehow. 

I am also making a special request that on my birthday you send me some sort of e-message (either a comment/message on here or facebook) reminding me of something awesome we did together, you're favorite memory, or something like that. I miss everyone so much and I know those message will make my birthday awesome. 

While cleaning my room the other day I found a notebook which was passed around at my going away party. Most of my closest friends were there and wrote something hilarious (mostly because alcohol was involved), but these messages have been an awesome pick me up a few times since I've been here. I'm hoping you guys can replicate that feeling. I'm including some of my favorite parts of messages from my notebook:

Stay safe and we'll party when you get back. Wish you the best in Ghana. - Jessica 

Thank you for everything you have done for me. I love you with all my heart. - Rachel

You are such a great friend. We def need to conversate while you are gone. P.S. I love these slippers! - Jason

I <3 Sam. - Corey

Have fun in Ghana and go to a lot of clubs. (Are there clubs in Ghana?).... if not... make one. YOLO! - Julia

I hope your plane doesn't crash. Did you feel that turbulance? Yeah, that wasn't good. - Julia

But for real... teach those kids some real good math and try not to get attacked by lions. - Julia

(Thanks Julia! Yours makes me laugh the most every time!)

I think you are a great girl and you deserve a great guy. I think you are beautiful and I know you are out of my league. You are one of my best friends.I will rock your world whenever "as a friend". Signed: your hubby, Will Bakke

I love you... BITCH - no signature

Don't die of super monkey AIDS. You're doing wonderful things for people. - Breezy

You're smart, nice, welcoming, non-judgmental and most of all: fun. You are going to do great in Ghana and we all know you will make a difference. My only regret is not knowing you sooner. I think we could've been great friends. - Jaoude

You're the best Sam! - no signature

Samantha Bobbe

She is the greatest girly

Hiku is the tits!

-Sean Joseph 

Say hi to simba for me. Stay away from AIDS, I hear it's a bitch. Sorry I broke into your house once with Calabrese that one summer, it had to be done. - Christian

BOOBS - no signature

There is no better feeling that the feeling of doing exactly what you meant to do! This is the most courageous thing I have ever known someone to do! - Michele 

Sam you are an amazing person and good luck with everything! - Brittany

Get a great tan and stock up on sun screen. P.S. Grab your hot perfect doctor husband! - Arryian

OMG It's Sam! You were always and will always be my favorite in OEM (shh don't tell anybody!) - Kevin

I wish we could have shared more memories but I guess we can do that when you come back.Don't ever forget that you're an amazing person! - Alex

I don't want you to go because you are my drunk buddy. - Meredith 

I'll always remember our Cheerio trail and breaking into (....)'s room or at least trying to. You are going to have such an amazing experience. I'll be counting down the days til you come back! - Maureen 

The last year and a half with you has changed my life. You have been a role model for me with your ambition and your drive. Don't forget all your moments of laughter and love. You're like the big sister I never had and you have changed my outlook on life. See you later chica cuz it will never be goodbye for us. - Tarah 

What do I say? I love your ass! But seriously you are funny, smart and beautiful. You are always happy and make me feel welcome. I am proud to call you a Los friend. - Los

Guys, to be honest I can't tell you how much these messages mean to me. You're all amazing friends and I think about you all the time. Distance doesn't matter when it comes to friendships, the love is still there! Miss all you guys and I can't wait to see you soon!

Kindness Can Kill

Everyone has heard the saying “Kindness can kill”. This past week that little phrase we all grew up with has taken on a whole new meaning for me.

When I came to visit my new home for the first time, I had to check out all the new “spots”. I was given a little run down about the trustworthy people in town and those who I should avoid. I was introduced to Kindness. An older man (about 60 something) who owns a little bar in town where he sells the local gin and sometimes other stuff if there is a big occasion in town. His bar is name “Kindness Can Kill”. The first memory I have of my village is the first night I came and all my new teachers met at Kindness’ bar and we sat outside on a cool night and just talked and got to know each other. We all got a little tipsy and just laughed and laughed. I was so happy and I felt so lucky to have such amazing new friends. I remember Kindness’ smiling face and how happy he was to meet me. When I was permanently posted he was one of the first people I went to go and greet. He was always so welcoming and friendly. I used to go there sometimes after school or on the weekends and we would chat about all sorts of things. Politics, the weather, his children, his life. He was such an interesting man. Other times I’d go there and it was like he knew I was just trying to get away, to find some peace and quiet. We would just sit there and not talk, but still be content with each other’s company. He trusted me to serve myself at his bar and even sell to other people. He was the first one to call me after seeing me on TV for winning the National Best Teacher Award. He was so happy and I could tell he was so proud of me. It brought tears to my eyes to realize how much he cared about me as if I was his own daughter. It’s not just me he cared about though. People here in my little village like to gossip, but I’ve never heard one bad word spoken about him. People rather have nothing but good things to say. I never asked if Kindness was the name his parents gave him or if it was a nickname given because of his loving personality.

Unfortunately, 2013 was not a good year for Kindness… He’s been crippled for a while which requires him to use a crutch to get around, but he was still doing well mentally until he had a stroke back in January. When we heard the news all the teachers organized ourselves to visit him in the hospital. It was heartbreaking. His speech was so slurred you could barely understand what he was saying but seeing us all there for him brought tears to his eyes. A few days later he was back home, but things were different. He could barely get around anymore, his motor skills were seriously damaged, and speaking was a strenuous task. Over time his speech and motor skills improved but his mobility was seriously limited. In April his wife gave birth to twin boys. One passed away during delivery and the other passed away a few weeks later. He had changed since I first met him. His eyes showed a sadness that broke my heart. As tragic as that was life went on because it has to, but he was different from when I first met him. The worst was yet to come though…

On November 19^th, 2013, Kindness was taken from this world. I was in school and his daughter (who is a student of mine) came with another friend to call me. The boy said she had something to tell me, but she wasn’t able to talk. Finally he spoke up and he said Fo (term used in front of an adult male’s name) Kind died. My jaw dropped. I couldn’t speak. I felt my legs go weak. They explained that his wife had gone to market that day and someone went to their house to buy something before they found him on the floor. I called another teacher who is also very close with him and started to explain everything as I felt the tears rising up in my eyes. My legs were shaking and I felt like something was squeezing my lungs. He left behind many biological children and those he took care of even though they weren’t his. Four of them are still in primary school. That was the most troubling thought for me.

It’s strange how someone can come into your life and then in a flash they are gone from this world forever. No warning. No chance to say goodbye. No photographs to remember their smiling face. Only your memories which seem to grow fuzzy when you really want them. Can’t help thinking that I should have visited more. I should have told him I cared about him, but I know deep down that he already knew that. Kindness was suffering towards the end of his life and I know in my heart he’s in a better place now because he was an amazing father to his children and a wonderful friend. He lived a good life and always did the best that he could for his family. It seems Kindness can kill though. I can still hear his jovial voice brimming with excitement when he sees us entering the bar.

When you lose someone who was special to you it really makes you appreciate life and those around you. Don’t pass up the next opportunity you have to tell those you care about that you love them. Visit them as often as possible. Most importantly, don’t forget to take a mental picture of their smiling face so that when they do leave this world, you’ll always keep a part of them in your heart.

Rest in perfect peace, Kindness. You have made my experience here in Ghana precious and I will never forget you.

Help!

Hey guys! One of my closest friends here, Jessica Keeton, is doing an amazing project at her school. She is in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Her classrooms are built to hold about 30 students at a max comfort level. Unfortunately hers hold about 70. She has decided to embark on an amazing journey to build a second school block for her school so that the kids can sit a little more comfortably, the teachers are less overwhelmed, and it is a better teaching/learning environment overall. She is doing a fundraiser to get the money to fund this project and that’s where you guys come in! I know what you’re thinking. Why would I send my hard earned money to Africa so it can just be embezzled by some warlord? Or maybe you’re thinking aww that sounds really nice (hmm, I wonder what I’ll have for dinner tonight?). This is serious though and we would all really appreciate it if you could help out, even something small. The fundraising system that she is using is a grant application called PCPP and it is through the Peace Corps. The community has come up with over 50% of the total costs (which is an much higher than average contribution), and all money donated goes straight to the Peace Corps Volunteer. There is no portion that is cut for any government program or anything like that so you can rest assured that your money is really going to a good cause. The link below will take you directly to the website to donate and the one below that is a link to her blog so that you can see the amazing work she is doing at site and about her life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in general. The third link is a video she has created which I highly suggest you watch. It's got some short interviews from her students and teachers and it gives you a good idea about her situations with the school classrooms. P.S. my birthday and Christmas are right around the corner so if you were thinking about sending me something, but it’s too expensive just donate instead! Every cent helps!  Education is so important to these children and they are being deprived a fair and equal opportunity.You can also email me any questions you may have and I'll send them to her. It's the holiday season so share some love!

https://donate.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=13-641-033

www.Jessicakeeton.blogspot.com

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oyhd9b7rxko65sn/School%20Construction%20Project.wmv