TPRF Real Stories

Alex Wiredu has undertaken the fascinating task of learning about the history and daily lives of the people served by the Food for People program that opened in Otinibi, Ghana on May 15, 2012, almost one year ago. Alex’s co-worker, Francis, is a photographer who has documented the development of FFP in Otinibi since the acquisition of the land it is built on. Soon a film crew will go to work to interview participants in FFP, or the Canteen as it is known locally. What follows is only the beginning of an ongoing story.

Francis and I went to the village again on May 7, to further look into which people to interview and to build their confidence to face the cameras. When we arrived at the facility, around 11:00 am, the cooks were preparing “banku,” a local food made from cooked fermented corn and cassava dough, served with the main meal.

We proceeded to the house of a 94-year-old man, Dorfur Tetteh, to find out how he was doing. As we came to his house, we saw him sitting under a huge baobab tree enjoying the mid-morning breeze. He offered us chairs, and soon we were deep in conversation. We didn’t know that he was the chief priest of the village until he told his story and, along with it, the story of how Otinibi came into existence.

Francis asked where the first people to live in Otinibi came from, and Dorfur began his story. “We have six clans forming the Ga tribe: Osu, La, Ga, Teshie, Nungua, and Tema. All these clans lived along the coast of the present day Accra, and their main occupation was fishing.

Being fed up and tired of always having fish as their main meal, compounded with petty squabbles that were going on, a group of three men and a woman decided to move inland. These were their names: Adjei Kweigyanmansa, Sowah Okumose, Nii Ayi Ampah, and their sister, Atwe. They were fishermen who needed a change.

They kept moving inland for months, roaming through the thickets. In time they discovered a natural pond, if not a small lake. Knowing water was key to their survival, they pitched their camp close to the lake on land that is called Otinibi today.

Because the lake never dried up even in the harmattan (dry wind) season, it was perceived to be a god. They worshiped it, as it became the source of their livelihood. Sowah and Kweigyanmansa shared the chieftaincy position. Nii Ayi Ampah became the first chief priest, and I am third of that lineage. That is why I had the authority to advise our immediate past chief, who has recently passed on, to offer the land for the facility.

And so we asked how they came by the name “Otinibi.” Dorfur explained, “When the four first arrived at the lake, there was an adjacent hill that was so bare that they called it eti a eni nwin, which means “a head without hair.” Over time the name has been corrupted to become Otinibi.”

When asked what kind of work the people did after settling, he replied, “Farming, of course. We cultivated maize, yam, cocoyam, plantain, and other vegetable crops. On market day we would exchange our crops for fish and other commodities.”

When asked how people work today, there was a certain sadness expressed. “It is a pity what modernity has done to us. In the old times you could eat at your neighbor’s hut without any problem, but today people are so greedy they do not even share with their neighbors. If they do, with the least provocation, they will use it to insult you. That is why I am very happy that this canteen is situated in my village. There you can eat in peace without thinking of any consequences.

“We are very happy to have this canteen in this village. The beauty it has brought to this village words cannot express.”

Photos by Francis Ahore

Path to the Lake

TPRF volunteer Lisa Rossetti recently fulfilled a lifetime ambition of returning to her childhood home in Ghana. She shares her moving story with us in this week’s post.

I was a colonial child, brought up in the Gold Coast in the early 50’s. We lived in the British colonial quarter on the outskirts of Accra. (I have pieced this together from correspondence and memory, as there were no postal addresses in those days.) I remember painting the Flag of Independence at my school, proud and excited.  Innocently, I believed Ghana to be my home and my nation.

Lisa Age Seven

In March 1957, my father took me for a walk down Independence Avenue. The newly-built white arch and star gleamed in the early morning sun. Tall flagpoles topped with golden eagles lined the long road. The country was preparing for vast celebrations and tribal gatherings as Ghana reclaimed its independence from Great Britain. Just five months later, we were boarding the plane back to England. We were leaving for good.

My parents made new lives for themselves in England. My mother put a few mementos around the house; some Ashanti gold weights, a carved wooden stool, some woven place mats, and an African mask on the wall. We never went back.

Then in 2009, I discovered a story I’d once written about that mask. I unearthed a box containing letters as well as some black and white photographs of our house in Accra. Vivid images and memories of my childhood began to rise to the surface. I experienced a deep desire to return to Ghana. But the journey seemed impossible somehow. Ghana was too out of reach financially, too far away in time and place.

A couple of years later, I became a volunteer for The Prem Rawat Foundation. I followed avidly the development of the new Food for People facility near Accra. I offered to write an article about the centre if the opportunity arose.

Then the chance finally came. In November 2012, my husband had some work with Words of Peace Global in West Africa, and he offered to pay for me to travel with him. We planned to attend a conference with Prem Rawat in Accra and also to visit the TPRF Food for People centre in Otinibi. I was both overjoyed and scared. What if I found Accra changed beyond all recognition?  What if I had no connection whatsoever with the people?

Landing at Kotoka airport, walking down the steps from the plane, I am standing on Ghanaian soil for the first time in 55 years. The airport is much bigger than I remember!  But the sounds and smells, the pungent aroma of fruit and dust, are somehow so familiar.

On a hot and humid morning, we drive out of Accra to the Food for People center in Otinibi. Colorful stalls line the roadside. Street vendors are everywhere, hawking tea-towels, iced water, nuts, scouring sponges, CDs, magazines, slices of coconut.

Once we turn off onto the bumpy track to Otinibi, the memories come flooding back again. Over there is the same skinny chicken scratching in the dust, the tiny scrap of shade under a spindly tree, ramshackle buildings roofed with corrugated iron. Poverty is still here.

We arrive at the center. I am struck by its simplicity.  Inside all is order and cleanliness, with rows of tables and fans overhead. The Center Manager welcomes us. She takes me for a tour of the kitchens, the vast pots, huge mounds of yams, and the vegetable garden.  I tell her my tale: “I used to live here in Accra as a child.” She looks me in the eye and smiles. “Welcome home,” she says. I have tears in my eyes.

Then the day of the event arrives. I have a guest to invite—a young artist who is exhibiting his paintings in my hotel. The foyer is packed with a throng of people, many in their local dress, a swirl of bright colors and happy voices.

When Prem Rawat takes the stage, the hall explodes with delight. The entire audience rises to its feet, waving white pieces of cloth in a traditional welcome. There is laughter and rapt attention. He tells us that we are more related to the sun, moon and stars than to our father, uncles or aunts. I am so moved to be sitting here in Accra, listening to his words of peace and wisdom.  The circle feels complete.

After the event, as I leave the conference center, a young Rastafarian clasps my hands and says, “You are our sister; you are Ghanaian now.”

What did I learn? We are all truly connected at the heart of us. Nothing is as impossible as it may seem. We only have to stretch out and make a little effort.  What we want and need is closer to us than we think.

Will I return?  I truly hope so.  There are many more stories to gather …

Photos Courtesy of Lisa Rossetti and Francis Ahore

Dignitaries in the Audience

On Friday, November 16, 2012, Prem Rawat addressed the inmates at Zonderwater Maximum Security Correctional Facility in South Africa. The event had a powerful effect on the inmates, who were keen to express their appreciation.

Please Note: Photos from Zonderwater Prison are not available at this time.

When I heard that Prem Rawat was coming to Zonderwater, the expectation was indescribable, that this great man was giving of his time to speak to us. It lived up to every expectation that I had and more. We still talk on a daily basis about what he said here and are still pinching ourselves to make sure that we are awake and it was not a dream.

Zingisile

I was so blessed to have an opportunity to see and listen to Mr. Prem Rawat. He has inspired me a great deal, knowing today that peace is not something we can buy over the counter. It lives within us every day.

Sizwe

To be a guest at Mr. Prem Rawat’s speech on Friday was really a great honor to me and the experience of a lifetime. It made me feel very humble.

Dumisane

It was a big day to me to see someone like Mr. Rawat come to our prison. It really touched me. Even tears were coming in my eyes. I wish for a second chance to see him again. I was very touched by his phrases and especially by the story of the man on the donkey who carried the load on his own shoulders.

King

Friday was a very good day for me, the moment I’ve been waiting for—to meet Prem Rawat and see him with my own eyes. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to ask him a question, but it was very nice to hear him talking and telling us stories, which I enjoyed very much. I think that from now on I will change my behavior and do the right things in life, because of what I’ve learned about peace from Prem Rawat and the whole team as well.

Jeremy

It was overwhelming to see the man himself. His eyes were so deep.

Vusi

I was very excited. I have been longing and wishing to see him in person. I thought that maybe when I get out of prison one day I might hear that he is nearby and would go to see him somewhere in Africa. But he came here to us.

It was overwhelming. I had tears in my eyes and I felt like crying. I was skeptical that he would come. But to finally meet him was an honor. Also, we are fortunate to be part of the first group having the PEP in South Africa.

Themba

I am thankful for his effort in coming to South Africa. It shows me how concerned he is about us here in Zonderwater. It changed my mind when I started to listen to him. It made me feel that I’m still a human being. When I lie in bed before I go to sleep, I try to remember all his words. It helps me a lot. And I want to be that lion he talks about [who knows who he really is.]

Simphiwe

I am thankful for the privilege of this PEP course. I’ve learned a lot. For me, being in prison has been a blessing in disguise. I’ve understood what peace means. For me, being in prison means we are here to learn. I know what I’m capable of without having fear. And for that, I thank Mr. Prem Rawat for taking the time to come and teach people like us.

Fuzile

Meeting Prem Rawat was wonderful. Even before he spoke, just him being there, I was restored as a human being. When he speaks, he says life is simple, and we make it complicated. I wished his talk wouldn’t end and would go on and on. I listen to his talks every day, even repeats, and every time I get something new.

Pepsi

I enjoyed myself listening to Prem Rawat. It was the first time I ever enjoyed myself in prison.

Amos

It was a wonderful, wonderful day. I enjoyed the story of the donkey. It made me realize that if I want peace, I have to leave my old ways. I can’t have peace with so many things in my mind.

Ephraim

On Friday I woke up sick, so I could not go. I was so disappointed. But I caught a glimpse of Mr. Prem Rawat walking into the prison, and it was like candy to a child. I was so inspired that he took the time from the outside world to come and see us. Some of those who leave go back to their old habits or commit suicide. But I want to go out and do well. I’d like to thank Prem Rawat.

November 23, 2012

We arrived at Otinibi, about one hour’s drive from Accra, on a mixture of paved and dirt roads, crowded with cars trying to navigate around the people selling everything from fruit to clothing to automobile parts.

We could hear the rhythmic beating of the drums as the car pulled up and we waited for the large gates to swing open and let us enter. We parked around the backside of the FFP facility. The four drummers were really going at it, and everyone was in a festive mood.

The large white canopy tents had been magically installed in the graveled courtyard since the day before and looked clean, cool, and majestic, with rows and rows of simple plastic molded chairs set out in neat sections for all the 400 plus students, teachers and distinguished guests.

The canopies appeared to offer a welcome relief from the direct sun, which at 9 a.m. was already a sizzling ninety degrees, with humidity to match. Soon it became obvious that although the canopies were helpful, they provided a false sense of security. Everyone had beads of perspiration, damp heads and clothing, and we all tried our best to ignore the stifling heat.

There was excitement in the air—the founder, Prem Rawat, was coming soon!

The children started filing in, wearing clean and freshly starched uniforms. They were amazingly quiet for such a large group of youngsters. I suspect they were in awe of the fair-skinned people who looked different from them in some ways, and of course, all the cameras being set up.

While we were arranging the seating, we heard that the Chief of Otinibi and his entourage were attending unexpectedly. Although he was generous in offering the land to build the Otinibi facility free of charge, I learned that he seldom attends even the most important events. The Ashanti King was sending his most senior advisors to attend the event as well. So we spent some additional time deciding how to seat these honored guests according to protocol.

What a handsome and impressive group. The Otinibi Chief was elegantly dressed in his traditional clothing and carried an impressive staff. He and his group also had an air of elegance and authority. The King’s entourage wore colorful traditional wraps and lots of gold! I saw gold crowns, armbands, wrist bracelets, rings, staffs, and gold woven into cloth. Between the sun and the precious metal, the whole place was glittering.

Shortly after the audience began to settle, the drummers picked up the pace to welcome Prem Rawat. Dressed simply in slacks and a light blue shirt, Mr. Rawat greeted everyone and took the seat of honor in the middle of the front row. Emmanuel Adjei walked to the microphone to welcome everyone.

The headmistress, Grace Ninsaw, spoke first about how important this facility was for the community, how the school enrollment had increased by almost 300 since construction began, and how well the children were doing. She said that many charities had promised to build a facility to help feed the children, but then never followed through on their promise. It wasn’t until construction of the FFP facility was well underway that people dared to hope, and then to believe, that there would be such a wonderful place in their community.

The Otinibi Chief spoke about the difference between the school before and after the FFP facility was built and graciously offered more land to grow vegetables for the program.

The Ashanti King’s representative spoke next. He mentioned having attended Prem Rawat’s public event the night before and remarked how pleasantly surprised he was by how much he enjoyed it. He assured everyone that he would report to the King about Prem Rawat, his message of peace, and the wonderful work that is being done through TPRF, and he offered that perhaps we could work together to build another facility.

Then I spoke a little about TPRF, trying not to be self-conscious that I might possibly look as I felt—soaked, head to toe, from the intense humidity.

There was some unexpected traditional dancing, which most everyone seemed to enjoy—giggling children and wide-eyed adults alike.

A school skit by the young children thanked Prem Rawat, TPRF, and the Foundation’spartner, PremBaf Ghana (PBG).

Prem Rawat addressed the children throughout his talk. “You are the future of Ghana….You are important. You are giving this facility its importance, not the other way around.”

The Chief and the King’s representatives were duly impressed with Prem Rawat’s talk, mumbling their agreement throughout. They wanted their photos taken with Mr. Rawat, which he readily agreed to. Afterwards, they were individually introduced to Mr. Rawat and were beaming with pleasure as they shook hands.

The last scheduled event was the unveiling of the plaque, followed by the students beginning their meal. Mr. Rawat walked from table to table, saying hello to the children and asking how they liked the food, which they were obviously enjoying. Then he walked through the facility, looked at the kitchen, the prep rooms, and storage areas. The facility was extremely clean. Mr. Rawat was pleased, noticeably impressed, and stayed an extra twenty-five minutes.

It was a wonderful occasion, enjoyed by all who attended. What a glorious day!

Linda Pascotto reports on Prem Rawat’s recent visit to Food for People, Otinibi.

Some Background:

“You’re going where for Thanksgiving?” “Ghana?” “You mean Africa?” “Can’t you leave after Thanksgiving?” “Can’t you go just a few days later?”

The American tradition of gathering family and friends together during the 4th Thursday in November, i.e., the Thanksgiving holiday, is so strongly embedded in the American culture that I feared it would be awkward to intentionally miss the occasion—but that is exactly what I did this year.

It was early in September when I had confirmation of the event. I immediately started planning (scheming really) how I could gracefully remove myself from the Thanksgiving family dinner table. Luckily, my husband was the easiest to convince, as he is my strongest advocate, gracefully accepting my extended travel schedules and weekend work habits.

For several days, I thought about all the excuses I could offer my mother, my siblings, and loved ones for missing this most significant holiday, for the first time in my life. None of the excuses seemed nearly as compelling as the real reason I longed to attend, and so in the end, whenever someone brought up the subject of Thanksgiving, I enthusiastically blurted that I had already made my plans for Thanksgiving. I was going to Ghana!

After a few expected protests, sweet resignation followed, and then curiosity and interest in my latest adventure involving TPRF. I offered some poignant reminders about the other Food for People facilities that are well established in India and Nepal, the profound impact these programs have had on the children and local communities, and my unbridled enthusiasm to see this newest FFP first hand. Calm was restored, and I sensed that everyone appreciated and respected my viewpoint to attend this important event.

The flight to Accra from Los Angeles was very long, somewhat delayed, but mostly uneventful. Finally, settled in my hotel room in Accra, I felt excited about my morning’s visit to the Otinibi FFP facility, and began thinking about the important event scheduled to take place with Prem Rawat in two days.

We left after the morning rush hour and although much of the hour-long drive was along paved roads, construction interrupted many segments, and potholes were an ongoing safety concern.

When we finally came into Otinibi Village, it was really a thrill to see the Food for People sign hung on the crisp white wall of the facility. When we arrived, the children were just heading into the dining hall. They were dressed neatly in their school uniforms, walking and chatting and seemed very happy. They even thought it was fun that I wanted to take their photographs and posed a little before running off, giggling.

Ms Grace Ninsaw

It was the first time I met the headmistress, Ms. Grace Ninsaw, an absolutely delightful person, thrilled with the prospect of tomorrow’s event. With her eyes shining and a smile so broad and beautiful, I couldn’t help offering a wide smile in return. We had hardly said two words to each other, but somehow I felt very connected to the woman who has been so helpful in managing as liaison between the school and TPRF.

Ms. Ninsaw was on cloud nine as she showed me around the school. I visited the very modest classrooms and noticed there did not seem to be enough of anything for the 400 plus students. They managed remarkably well with the assortment of desks, tables, chairs, and benches. What they really longed for, she said in a shy response to my question of what they needed most, were computers. If the children were going to compete for jobs, they needed to have computer skills. Even she, the headmistress, did not have anything more than an old typewriter. I thought surely that we could manage to purchase a couple dozen computers locally to help the students begin learning these important skills.

Accra Street Vendors–Photo by David Andeweg

I left that afternoon for a much longer and interesting ride back to Accra. I was happy that I had a chance to see the facility grounds, to discuss the plans for the next day’s event, and to go through the proposed rundown of what we expected to happen during the ceremony. The traffic was much more congested than in the morning because it was now rush hour. There was a continuous bumper crop of street vendors walking and sometimes running after a customer when the traffic moved ahead. They zigzagged deftly between the rows of cars looking for customers. The items they sold were as varied as any you’d find in grocery stores, fast food shops, clothing shops, automotive shops, or toys and school supply stores. It seemed like a very convenient way to shop while waiting in traffic. The vendors even offered men’s suits and shoes!

This, combined with women carrying massive quantities of foodstuffs on their heads, was stunning to watch. Several woman had piles of peanuts stacked on a tray, which they carried on their heads—I was amazed to watch as they walked, never dropping their load. It seemed a convenient way to manage, leaving both hands free for other activities.

(Continued next week in Part II)

Students Gather Before the Daily Meal

Ariane Kirtley is the Founder and Director of Amman Imman: Water is Life, a nonprofit organization that brings sustainable water sources and other development assistance to West Africa’s Azawak region. As a Fulbright Scholar, Ariane lived with families in the Azawak region and discovered the human face of climate change: people literally dying of thirst because of their inability to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.  Ariane found these people to be the most generous and dignified as well as the most vulnerable of the populations she encountered in her travels throughout West Africa. She had never before witnessed an area with so few resources and infrastructure, where individuals live on the brink of disaster on a daily basis due to circumstances beyond their control. Most importantly, she had never seen half a million people in such distress receiving so little assistance from the rest of the world. Ariane has devoted her life to improving the conditions of those who she calls her ‘brothers and sisters.’  She founded Amman Imman in 2006. Ariane, her husband Denis Gontero, and their two young sons live in Niger for several months a year to conduct Amman Imman activities.  Earlier this year, TPRF helped to fund one of several borehole wells Amman Imman has drilled.

Ebagueye Village: 8 months After the Construction of their Borehole

Through our work in Niger’s Azawak Valley, we have learned that local communities are the heart and soul of Amman Imman’s work. They are not only the people for which we work, but those with which we work. They are some of our most important partners. They represent the key to sustaining life-giving water sources over the long-term and to ensuring that each water source enables further development.

The story of Ebagueye Village, home to Amman Imman’s newest borehole well, demonstrates the power of our local partners. As you may know, Amman Imman means ‘water is life’.  Within just six months, I have seen this prophecy come to fruition for those in Ebagueye Village.

Families Fetch Water at Ebagueye Fountain

Lives are Changing in Ebagueye since the Borehole

Once a desolate stretch of sand and silt, Ebagueye Village is now brimming with life. Since January, those living in Ebagueye have been enjoying the benefits of their new borehole – in part funded by TPRF and drilled by Amman Imman.  With water, villagers report having more time and energy for other integral tasks, such as caring for their livestock, raising their children, doing household chores, making crafts and gathering fallen branches to sell as firewood at the market. Some in the community helped to build a protective wall around the borehole’s water tower and engine, giving them a sense of ownership over their water source.  They plan to grow a garden within the perimeters of the wall.

Sustainability and Economic Empowerment

A management committee of villagers, trained by Amman Imman, sells the water, and the money raised is used for the long term operation and maintenance of the borehole. The money is also used to pay a small stipend to the workers who manage the distribution of water at the fountains and animal troughs. The villagers—our partners—feel proud to be working for their community and to be providing an essential service.  For the first time, they earn money for their work in the village.

Education, Health and Hygiene

More than 5,000 people benefit from the borehole daily, the very first time they have a constant supply of potable water in the vicinity. In the past, children left school at the height of the dry season to travel marathon distances to find clean water for their families. Now, they stay in school.

Not only are children better educated, they are also in better health. Already, parents report less diarrhea and sickness related to fatigue and dehydration among their children and themselves. Many families have since built a rudimentary shower in their homesteads, and people are bathing more frequently.

Ebagueye Named an Official Village

Thanks to the borehole, the Abalak commune (home to the largest and closest city) has named Ebagueye and its surrounding communities as an official village. Achieving village status means that the community will benefit from additional help and oversight from the commune and others.

Living in area afflicted by a burgeoning food crisis, the World Food Program just recently chose Ebagueye and Amman Imman’s other borehole community, Kijigari, for limited food assistance. The World Food Program distributed food tickets to eleven families in Ebagueye, which has earned them one or two free bags of rice, and one or five liters of oil, for three months.

New families Settle in Ebagueye

Representing hope and development to those living nearby, Ebagueye has attracted new resident families who have abandoned their nomadic existence and have built permanent adobe homes in the village. For several months, Ebagueye also attracted residents from Abalak whose own water sources ran dry, and refugees from neighboring Mali who searched for water during their exodus from political turmoil.

Addressing the Food Crisis

In addition to water, Amman Imman distributed books to the Ebagueye school and mango trees for growth around the village.  The trees grew well and inspired the villagers to purchase and plant 41 shade trees. We plan to provide additional food assistance, including seeds for planting and hay and grain for livestock, during the coming months. Although a new life has begun, those in Ebagueye still face a crippling environment. Food supplies are drastically short and with a lack of health care and other development assistance, the people often suffer and die at a young age from preventable conditions.

Future Plans in Ebagueye

Development is not something that happens overnight. With better chances for health and education, we believe that with time, communities will flourish and be empowered to take ownership of their own development. Those in Ebagueye have already asked for a health center, and through partnerships with local families, and other development organizations and funders like TPRF, we hope their demand can be met.

Yours, for the children of the Azawak,

Ariane Kirtley

Photos Courtesy of Amman Imman Organization

Bobby Hendry is the man responsible for planning menus and setting up hygiene and staff service procedures for the Food for People facilities currently operating in India, Nepal, and Ghana.

In a supervisory role, Bobby recently made a surprise inspection at the FFP in Otinibi, Ghana, to ensure that the operational guidelines were being followed and a high level of service was being maintained.

The reason for the trip to Accra:

I arranged to fly to Ghana unannounced on July 26, 2012, to make an inspection at the FFP facility in Otinibi. The reason for making the journey without telling anyone in Ghana beforehand was to enable me to see if the facility was being run properly on a daily basis. I needed to see the facility “as is,” and I have to admit that I had some trepidation.

I had a number of concerns. Was the team possibly slack in their daily running of the facility? Would hygiene and service be a big issue (which it cannot be allowed to be)? Would the food be prepared and cooked properly? Do the menus consist of a balanced diet? Do the children enjoy the meals?

I wondered if the facility, as an operational unit, was being run smoothly. Were the teams gelling and working well together? Were they following the procedures we agreed on and trained for before the facility officially opened?

A series of surprises:

The long drive from Accra to Otinibi is still hot and dusty. The unfinished, jammed highways still require knowledge of local shortcuts. Arriving at Otinibi, the neat, clean, blue and cream facility building is a very welcome sight. The driver and I wait until the main gate is unlocked and we drive into the courtyard.

First surprise: When I departed on my last trip just before the opening, the courtyard had been unfinished with a team of workmen raking dirt. Today, it is very neat with a gravel bed and a well-tended, walled border with mature flowers.

Another surprise: I had planned my arrival to coincide with the dining room tables laid up and ready for the children to arrive for lunch. Great, I thought. It looks good. All the tables are neatly laid and the floor is gleaming and clean.

Another really nice surprise: The team suddenly realized I had appeared in the dining room and starting shouting and doing something akin to what looked to me to be an uncoordinated Scottish wedding jig. The staff wanted to know why, when, where, and how long I would be at the facility.

I joked that I had come to check up on them. After we calmed down I told them it was not a joke.

Next surprise: They took the explanation of the visit seriously and then we did a tour of the whole place. To say my previous worries disappeared is an understatement. That they were replaced with relief mixed with pride and gratefulness was something I won’t forget. The facility looks really good—very clean and well-ordered. The team has even started growing vegetables in a plot at the end of the building within the compound.

Another surprise: The older children arrive for lunch.

The younger children had gone home for the holidays the day before. Despite their absence, the dining room was packed. I saw that the staff really did not have to organize the kids. They already knew the routine well. The big surprise is that after finishing the meal, the children took their stainless steel plates to the sinks, rinsed them quickly, washed them in the soapy water provided, and then stacked them neatly.

Why was I so surprised?

During the first days before the opening, we tried to organize the kids to do this same routine exactly, but because they were so unused to the whole facility setup, the routine was a bit of a shambles. So we decided to abandon it on the second day. Now, the kids are so accustomed to the routine that they do it themselves unbidden and efficiently. They ate their lunch and cleared up well and departed back to school—all within their allotted break time. Yeessss!

Also, seeing some of the village elders coming for lunch made me realize that the facility is now known and accepted by the community at large.

A final note:

As I was leaving, I knew that the FFP facility and the staff had matured very well in a surprisingly short time. With such a dedicated and organized team working in such a lovely place, I wondered why I had been so apprehensive.

Photos by Bobby Hendry

I can honestly say that writing and editing the TPRF blog for the past 18 months has been an exciting, enjoyable, and unpredictable journey.We began with a mandate to cover the developing story of the third Food for People facility planned for construction in the small village of Otinibi, outside of the metropolitan city of Accra in Ghana, West Africa.  I had very little experience with social media, a slight familiarity with TPRF’s proprietary Food for People program, and no background information on the country or people of Ghana.

Somehow, these obvious drawbacks did not inhibit the expansion of the TPRF blog from a single story into an international forum reflecting stories of enormous hope through efficient and inspired humanitarian initiatives undertaken by TPRF and its partner organizations around the world.

Otinibi FFP Before Grand Opening

Our first posts covered the Ghana Food for People projectin detail beginning when the facility was an undeveloped piece of land awaiting governmental approval of the documents transferring title of ownership to the local charity set up to manage and run the FFP.  We have literally watched the facility rise up out of the ground, culminating in a triumphant opening one year later.  The FFP in Otinibi has materialized thanks to the dedication of mostly local volunteers, an expert construction team, funding from TPRF, and donations from individuals following the story on the Internet.

Five hundred children and adults will be fed nutritious meals every day in Otinibi. The same thing happens at two other Food for People centers which opened in 2006 and 2009.

The logistics and effort required to establish and keep the FFP facilities operating boggles the mind. Yet it is happening.  It is a privilege and a joy to make these stories about people who benefit from the Food for People program and the individuals who volunteer to make these daily miracles occur available to our readers.

Six months after our first post, we decided to open up the scope of the blog to other feature stories while still reporting on the progress of the project in Ghana. We covered the other two Food for People facilities located in the villages of Bantoli, India and Tasarpu, Nepal. I began to see the profound effect the program has on the people it touches.

Now, children go to school instead of doing manual labor (like crushing rocks to support their families.)  The nutritious daily meals allow the children to grow and develop normally. Plus, they learn proper sanitation habits and enjoy watching educational television programs while eating.

With healthy bodies and the opportunity to learn in school, these children have a vastly improved chance to realize their dreams later in life.  And something more.  I have seen through these stories that Food for People is an oasis for these children, a place where they can flourish and enjoy their precious childhood.

The Food for People program is only one example of TPRF’s life-changing work.  We regularly cover stories about  TPRF’s Peace Education Program in prisons, independent fundraising efforts, disaster relief, clean drinking water initiatives, and other humanitarian efforts undertaken by TPRF’s carefully-selected partner organizations.

Relieving Drought in Ethiopia With Partner IRD

The voice of the TPRF blog that we searched for in the beginning has become the many voices of hope and positive change as stories continue to stream in from around the world.

As Prem Rawat’s message of peace continues to reach more people, we hope to keep pace by allowing more voices to tell their stories spontaneously in an even greater diversity.

The new blog will present stories from regular contributors, expressions from blog subscribers, people involved in the work of TPRF, and others involved in independent humanitarian efforts. In time, regular contributors and TPRF partners will be able to post directly to the new blog template as stories break.

Photos Courtesy of IRD and Premsagar Nepal

Supporting Education in Nepal

With the long wait over for the arrival of key equipment, the construction team in Ghana began tackling the final tasks necessary to open the Food for People facility in Otinibi.  Here is Kafui Esi Adjei’s report on the day-to-day events leading up to the historic inauguration of the third location for TPRF’s unique and highly successful feeding and education program.

We have had several guests visiting the facility. The Chief of Otinibi, Nii Adjei Kweidzamansah III, and his entourage came to the facility to have a taste of the favorite and delicious local dish “Ga  Kenkey” served with fried fish and hot pepper sauce.

Ga Kenkey is a staple food in Ghana made from corn/maize dough kneaded into a ball and then wrapped in a corn husk.  After boiling Ga Kenkey for about an hour and a half, it is usually eaten with meat, chicken, fish and soup dishes accompanied by a hot pepper sauce seasoning.

The District Chief Executive, the political head of the district, Honourable John Kwao Sackey, also came with the Assemblyman for the area, Honourable Adams Thoro. The head of the nutrition department of the University of Ghana was also there with her team on three different occasions as part of a base line nutrition study underway at Food for People Ghana.

The baseline study is a research project designed to gather statistics on the school children’s health status, school attendance, performance in class, and other related statistics. These benchmarks will be gathered before the feeding program begins. The same statistics will be gathered periodically after FFP Ghana opens.  By comparing the original benchmarks to the statistics gathered over time, the baseline study will reveal the impact the feeding program is having on the children in the community.

On May First it will be exactly a year since sod was cut for the beginning of the project. It is really amazing how things can move very fast. Finally, the long-awaited coolers arrived in a van after the close of work on Tuesday, April 3^rd. By the end the next day, the coolers had been fully assembled. After installing the refrigerator piping system, the construction team tested the coolers for over a week and the system checked out fine.

Everybody is happy for the arrival of the coolers, so we are ready for the inauguration of the facility. We anticipate feeding 450 people including invited guests at the inauguration.  We expect the opening ceremonies will happen between May 15 and May 22. From then onwards, we will be feeding about 500 people every day.

Photos by Francis Ahore

On Saturday, February 18^th, staff members served a “rehearsal” lunch to approximately 120 people. Bobby Hendry reports that people visiting the facility for the first time were “impressed” with the physical layout of the structure.

The guests enjoyed the meal, which consisted of grilled red fish, crispy chicken, two rice dishes, and mixed vegetables, all seasoned with delicious hot sauces prepared to the tastes of the local population.  A luscious dessert of ice cream and fresh fruit topped off the meal.

Bobby Hendry (Left) With Staff Members

Before the meal, Dan Modey, one of the project managers, made a small speech to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Bobby Hendry reports that the staff members are learning their jobs quickly.

On Tuesday, February 21^st, staff members served a rehearsal lunch to the first group of children.  Photos of the children eating will follow in the next installment of this blog.

Interior and exterior finishing continues at a rapid pace.  The development team reaches new milestones with each passing day, bringing the project closer and closer to the official opening (March 5 to March 10, depending on arrival and installation of permanent refrigeration units.)

So much has been accomplished.  So many obstacles have been overcome.  The shining reality of Ghana Food for People has almost arrived.

Photos By Francis Ahore

Practice Makes Perfect--The First Lunch is Served