Who Am I?

Reflections on my one year anniversary of joining the Peace Corps…

Who am I?
I am acuriosity to be stared at.   An animal at the petting zoo.
What strange straight hair she has. I wonder what that red dot on her arm feels like. Feel those blue lines on her legs.  Look in her mouth – she has gold teeth! Those glasses help her see.
Look at how awkward she is climbing into the tro. Watch how she tries to squat.

Who am I?
I am a rich person. A person with more material goods than a single person needs.

Bring me bread. Give me a pencil. Give me money. Feed me rice.
I need a phone. My bike doesn’t work. Do you have a computer?
I want your skirt. Give me your dress.
Take my picture.

Who am I?
I am a celebrity. I’m easy to spot from a distance.
Children smile, wave, and yell, “Hello, Madam!” when they see me.
Their parents want to be seen talking to me.

I get preferential treatment – sitting in the front seat of a tro, moving to the front of a queue.

Who am I?
I am a the “smart” person. The person with a different knowledge set than most people in Jumbo.
A man gives me a small coin: What coin is this?  How much is it worth?
A boy hands me a green digital watch with a broken strap.  He points at the blinking numbers – confident I can fix it.
A highway department worker and I talk about road repairs. He is impressed that I know the term “asphalt.” Are you an engineer?

Who am I?
I am a unknowledgable foreigner. Ignorant of facts every eight-year old Ghanaian learns at his mother’s knee or from his father’s farm.
She asked if the cassava plant was a yam.
She didn’t greet me when I walked by her house.
She paid twice as much as I did when she bought tomatoes.
She said, “Good morning!” at six in the evening.

Who am I?
I am a grandmother. A girl grabs my legs in a bear hug. A boy climbs on my lap for a story.
I am a mother. I soothe a crying toddler and brush away her tears. I tell a child to go to school.
I am an aunt. I teach a child how to sew with a needle and thread.
I am a friend. I share my sewing machine and sewing skills with my neighbor.
I am a sister. I greet my PCV sisters with hugs to show them I care.
I am a daughter. I reassure my mother that I am safe and healthy.
I am a grandchild. I have so much to learn.

Who am I?
I am a student.
I learn something everyday.
I re-learn facts and maxims that didn’t stick.
I take notes and study.
I read books. I attend classes.
I ask questions and listen.
I learn by living.

Who am I?
I am a teacher.
I help others learn about health, water, hygiene, and sanitation.
I write stories to make everyday events come alive.
I tell Ghanaians about life in America.
I describe living in Ghana – the food, the customs, the people – so Americans can understand life in West Africa.

Who am I?
I am a reader. With plenty of time to read.
I am a writer. With plenty of new experiences to write about.

Who am I?
I am a Peace Corps Volunteer. The only non-Ghanian living in my small rural community or the nearby market town.
I provide a link between community needs and organizations or processes that can help meet those needs.
I give people a hand-up rather than a hand-out.
I help people help themselves to improve their lives.

I am a curiosity, the rich person, the celebrity.
I am the smart person who teaches, the unknowing person who learns.
I am a relative and friend.
I am a reader and a writer.
I am a Peace Corps Volunteer.

I am living a dream life.