Ethnographic Studies

The ethnographic part of my study is taking me to following the life of Dgomba women. One experience in the day of a Dgomba woman is the making of peanut oil and peanut power to sell in the market. What a hard job. You can see me helping to process the peanuts. I know now how to make peanut oil and peanut power from scratch. It is no joke!

CURFEW IN TAMALE

There is a curfew in Tamale. This is the city where the villages that I am living in and working are. I was going out to meet the Dean for the University of Development Studies and was told that the night before there had been some burning of one of the political offices and tires were burned in the city center. I knew nothing because I don't have a television, sometimes I listen to my telephone radio news. Anyways, the people are disturbed by a court ruling to release 15 people responsible for killing a chief, the main chief of the Dgomba people, (the people who I am studying). The Curfew is from 11pm to 6am. Last night someone was caught out at 4am and beaten as a warning. I heard fromthis from a witness. All is well with me and I am safe.

THIS MANGO IS A LINK TO FOOD SECURITY

In the Northern Region of Ghana, the mango tree is very important. The tree provides shade. I stand accused that whenever I am out I have my eye out for the nearest mango tree. Also the fruit provides food and income for many. Mangos like this grow all over the place. This mango I did eat today, it grew directly in front of the house I am living in located in the village of Jisonayeilli! A funny story, today I was speaking with Mr. Alhasan, my neighbor. He said that the children were picking the mangos before they were ripe (next month). He hung a cow horn on the tree and told them that if they pick the mangos before they are ripened that something would happen to them. The children are not picking the mangos now! Next month they will be totally ripened for everyone to enjoy!

CHECK OUT ARTICLE ON OUR EFFORTS

A new news article has just been released on our efforts of Project FOOD. It is a must read. Many thanks and much appreciation to the author, Ms. Lynn Pinder. Lynn you did a fabulous job. See the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/environmental-news-in-savannah/from-africa-to-savannah-and-back-again

These are Dgomba men sitting in the Sanerigu circle at a community event. I have been interacting with all of them during this project! Go Sanerigu!!!

NAWUN DEIN SUHUGU (God bless you)

This is in the language, "Dagbani." It is such a beautiful language. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go to a funeral of a local Dagbani chief close to the village where I am learning. It was such a beautiful event. I learned that each group of people who attend from the varying villages make an entrance with their entourage/group. The groups include the chief, his family, various village residents, the gon gon players and the gogi players along with the historians. At the end of the procession are the warriors, I tried to capture some in this photo.

DAWA DAWA

In Dagboni tradition, every woman has a dawa dawa. When there is not enough food to eat they go and get their dawa dawa and prepare it for food to eat. Check out this dawa dawa tree with its fruit ripe and ready!

One Student Surveyor Injured

Today, after we completed our time interviewing, one of the students was leaving to go home and had a motorcycle accident. Somehow he lost control and hurt his leg. He actually crashed into a truck. Right in front of our eyes. It was scary, however, we found some alcohol and helped him to clean his wounds. One of the village mechanics came immediately and took the motorcycle and fixed the drastically bent gear on the motorcycle. It was interesting how it all happened. I paid 2 cedis almost $2.00 US for the repairs. Meanwhile we ate bambara beans and fried yam while we waited for the repairs and all the students were happy about the food, so tomorrow I will make sure I feed them, especially Hashim! (smile)

First Day of Household Inteviews

Can you believe that today was the first day of household interviews. Wow what an adventure surveying a community with no system of household numbering. We had to actually spin the pencil to determine which directions to go into. Thanks for all the well wishes and good thoughts!

Training The Interviewers

Today I engaged 6 students from the University of Development Studies to conduct face to face interviews of women in the village of Sanerigu, in Tamale norther region Ghana. They all speak Dagbani the language of the village which i am working with. They are all studying community nutrition at the master's level.

No Illness 1 Injury

Usually I get some type of illness when I travel internationally, I have not had any illnesses so far. My feet swelled up really big the first week and that's about it. Yesterday, I smashed myself below my eye with a door. It swelled up a little and I had a bad ache in the area and in the back of my head for some reason. All is better today!

Going Forward

The community in Sanerigu definitely want to be connected to others globally. They have offered many prayers and well wishes for the study I am conducting. They are happy to discussion their thoughts about food and their challenges and openly have welcomed me. Thank you, village of Sanerigu. I am now going on the part 2 of this study -- the household survey.

A Dgomba Village

Getting around the Dgomba village is interesting. It is a community with order. Although it does not seem like it is big, it does take some time getting used to the terrain. Sharing a little bit of the community which I am working in.

NEEM OIL

Today I finished the last focus group discussion with 6 different women's associations in the village I am working in, Sanerigu. The women had so much to say. One of the things I found was that Dgbani women work very hard. They are producers and produce many things. One of the products I saw being produced was Neem Oil. One of the products I received from the Health food store to help repell mosquitos was neem oil. It is very expensive. Well the women here process the neem seed and make the oil.

Dgomba Protocol

You must greet elders in a certain way or you will never be able to do any type of work in a Dgomba village. Whenever an elder passes, you must stop and greet.

Dasooba good morning, Anteerie Good afternoon or Anoolah good evening. If you do not do this, the gate will not open for you.

I did meet and greet the gatekeeper for the Sanerigu village today. the response will be Na or Alafia! See you soon!

I Made It To Tamale

What an experience to get to the Northern Region of Ghana. No it has not been easy, it has been filled with experiences. I am meeting and interacting with some great people who are all about connecting with the global universe. Today I went to the village I will work in Sanerigu home of the Dgomba people. I met the leader of one of the women's group whom I will work with starting tomorrow, can you believe it. I saw how they make the shea butter soap and the process of preparing rice for consumption. More later. Sorry no photo today hopefully tomorrow when I am more settled in where I will stay.

Independence Day in Ghana

Today is Sunday, my mother's birthday and Independence day in Ghana. We are reminded of something that Kwame Nkrumah said, "Forward Ever Backward Never!"

Independence Day in Ghana

Trying to get to know the contextual reality of Ghana. Today was independence day. 54 years ago Ghana took their freedom from colonization. Today the President dedicated independence day to honor the youth. He told them that displine and hard work will get them ready to take over and lead the nation!

Boti Water Falls

On Saturday I travelled with a group of educators from Florida to the Eastern Region of Ghana to visit a place called the Boti Water Falls. It was a beautiful experience in the mountains with the water falls and people from all over who come to visit the falls.

Gratitude to the Mayor's Office of Tallahassee

We are so grateful to Rick Minor, Chief of Staff for the Office of Mayor John Marks, City of Tallahassee and Ramon Alexander who both are instrumental in joining the Mayor's Office, the city of Tallahassee and this global initiative as partners.

They were successful in providing letters that introduce us as good will ambassadors for the City of Tallahassee. These letters will be given to the various leaders that we connect with from the city of Tallahassee and unites people across borders regarding food and neighborhood food environment issues.

Yea! Mayor's Office for understanding that the health of one is directed impacted by the health of others!

Day 1 in Ghana

We have made it to Ghana, Edna is with me a member of Talk With The Women. We are in Accra and preparing our next moves. The weather is good, hot, and the sights and scenes are exciting. We were greeted warmly by the people where we stayed last night in Tema, a city outside of Accra. Will post some pic soon.

Survey

I am working on finding a way to copy the survey I will use. Let's see how the day unfolds! Any ideas out there?

New Partners

There is so much energy and support being forwarded to this project/mission in Ghana West Africa. Much gratitude to all of you, and you know who you are, who are so generous in many creative ways to be a part of this project.

1 More Day!

What a journey! Allowing things to unfold brings daily phenomonal happenings. Every day something significant has happened sending messages that this project is paqrt of some divine destiny.

9 More Days!

9 More days before leaving for Ghana to talk with women about household food insecurity. I still have to get malaria medication and various items necessary to be healthy while living in Ghana's rural area. Talking with women is like talking with the entire family because they are the ones who are responsible for the meals in the family.

Project F.O.O.D.: 10 More Days

Project F.O.O.D.: 10 More Days: "Wow, it is literally count down to Ghana. I am now trying to figure out how to get my malaria medication. I finally got my prescription on l..."

10 More Days

Wow, it is literally count down to Ghana. I am now trying to figure out how to get my malaria medication. I finally got my prescription on last Friday. I have to start taking it on this Wednesday and it is so so expensive. Any ideas?

Project F.O.O.D.: Shirley Sherrod Speaks

Project F.O.O.D.: Shirley Sherrod Speaks: "Shirley Sherrod was the keynote speaker tonight at the Summit in Tallahassee. She decided to stay in the south to work for change. She work..."

Shirley Sherrod Speaks

Shirley Sherrod was the keynote speaker tonight at the Summit in Tallahassee.

She decided to stay in the south to work for change.
She works on issues related to rural development.
She works on bringing women back to agriculture and is working with women in the rural areas.

She says that people can take a small acreage of land and make a lot of money.
Working together and sharing expertise is the way forward.

We must think differently.

News Flash

Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:30am Project FOOD will be a panelist at the

SOUTHEASTERN GREEN NETWORK

EMBRACING OUR TRADITIONS OF PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT

Florida A & M University

B.L. Perry Page

Auditorium C

The Panel Discussion topic is:

"Making the Change To Green": Educating Our Communities Is The First Step

along with

Dr. George Smith: Family & Consumer Department - Tennessee State University

Dr. Michelle Thomas: DATE Sustainable Classrooms -- Washington, DC

Tim Center: Sustainable Florida, The Collins Center

Don't Miss This Event

Guess What Happened Today?

Rita Marley! Yes, I got a spirit inspiration to contact Rita Marley. I found out
that she has a foundation that does a whole lot of work in the area of food and
nutrition. So, now I have people out there trying to put me in touch with her.
Do you have any ideas on how I can get in touch with her? I want to sit down with her and talk about Project FOOD's global partnership and collaboration work. Let me know!

She is really doing some great work check her out http://www.ritamarleyfoundation.org/

23 More Days To Go!

In 23 days I will journey with a writer, Edna Haynes to Ghana West Africa to Talk With Women about their experience with household food insecurity. Everyday something new unfolds preparing me/us for this journey. What do you think? Make a comment!

Guess What Happened Today!

Today I received an email from my mentor who helped me with my health disparities study in Ghana, he is the Registrar/CEO of the Traditional and Alternative Medicine Practice Council, an Agency of the Ministry of Health of Ghana. Well, he has just been enstooled as a traditional ruler in the Volta Region. His name is Torgbui Yaka, IV. He welcomed this food insecurity project to Ghana. See his photo. Congratulations to the Honorable Torgbui Yaka, IV and thank you for standing and being a partner in this important Project!

BLOG PARTNER UPDATE!

GOAL

100 Blog Partners by March 3, 2011

CURRENT STATUS

16 Blog Partners

NEED

84 Blog Partners

ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN AS A BLOG PARTNER TODAY

and

HAVE FUN FOLLOWING THIS FOOD JOURNEY TO DISCOVER WHAT THE COMMUNITY REALLY WANTS AND NEEDS

Without partnerships of the greater community, this project would not be possible!

NEW SUPPORTER

Much Gratitude to!!!

THE WILEY SUNSHINE FOUNDATION

They have joined as a Supporter of

Project FOOD's effort to address

Global Household Food Insecurity in Rural Ghana

Thank you Wiley Sunshine Foundation for your support and love!

Partnership, collaboration, conversation, public health, development, quality food & more!

Without the support of the greater community this project would not be possible!

Talking With The Women!

A Goal: 100 Blog Partners
Status: 95 More Blog Partners Needed

Project FOOD is having conversations with women globally about their experience with food and about what they do when they do not have enough food to eat. Women may be the secret to ensuring that households are food secure! Food is linked to health and wellbeing!

One partner, a writer Edna Haynes will join this travel on her own personal journey to a stronger oneness with Spirit Mission! Stay tuned for her bio!

Partner!

Much Gratitude to Nzinga my niece and to Yaa Asantewaa for your sacrafices! Both have partnered with this journey to Ghana to examine household food insecurity and support this project. Thank you Nzinga for your contribution of a printer (which was needed so badly) and thank you Yaa Asantewaa for your support! You both have joined into the energy surge towards addressing global household food insecurity! Much love always!

Become a Blog Partner Now!

A Goal: 100 blog partners
Status: 97 More blog partners needed

A blog partner is someone who signs up as a follower. When you do this you send energy to support this journey to Ghana, West Africa (to a small village in Tamale) to examine household food insecurity and to build a global network of energy to address food insecurity and hunger. Take one moment to send the energy -- Sign up as a follower!

21 More Days To Go!

This Household Food Insecurity project is growing! Much gratitude to the Wiley Sunshine group for their support and contribution to this effort for a global connection to help us to address household food insecurity and hunger!

22 More Days To Go!

22 more days to go!

Goal: 100 blog partners;
Status: 98 more needed Blog partners.

Join the projectfoodnow blog partnership.
Contribute and follow the household food insecurity project to connect with women in Ghana and talk about household food insecurity. It's simple just join! You are needed to be a part of this amazing journey that will help communities worldwide!

Project F.O.O.D.: The World Is Interconnected!

Project F.O.O.D.: The World Is Interconnected!: "23 more days! Goal: 100 blog partners now! The world is interconnected! What happens in one community or country impacts us all! Collabor..."

The World Is Interconnected!

23 more days! Goal: 100 blog partners now!

The world is interconnected! What happens in one community or country impacts us all! Collaboration and partnership across borders to exchange ideas, strategies and experiences is the way to improved quality of life.

Count Down to Tamale, Ghana

24 more days! Goal: 100 partners

The journey to Tamale, Ghana to fight food insecurity in the northern region of Ghana!
Partnership and collaboration is growing every day! Contribute and Join in the partnership!

Eliminating Hunger

"People often ask: What can be done to defeat hunger? My answer is simple: empower women , because women are the secret weapon to fight hunger ."
-- WFP, Executive Director Josette Sheeran

Journey to Tamale

Tamale is a region in northern Ghana located in West Africa or Sub saharan Africa. Much of it is rural. It is a beautiful area and this is where Project Food and Talk With The Women will go to work along with people to have a conversation about household food insecurity.

Gratitude

Thanks to Brighter Day and to Sentient Bean
for their contributions to the Global Food
Insecurity Project in Ghana, West Africa