One Morning, One Month. My New Life in Jerigu.

Posted on October 31st 2016
By: Chandler Mulvaney, AgriCorps Fellow 2016/17

It’s 4 a.m. in the morning and I wake to the sound of the mosque calling my community members of Jerigu to their morning prayers.

I slowly lean up out of bed and rest my body against the cool cement wall directly behind my bed. My mind is instantly filled with thoughts about the day to come as the sounds of the mosque continue to wail in the background.

Moments later, I hear knocking at my door and my good friend and host brother, Mohammed (“Nzo” good friend in Dagbani) calling out my name emphatically, “Chandalar! Chandalar! Chandalar!

I stumble out of bed, tripping over my mosquito net as I proceed to grab my instant coffee mix, water, coffee mug and bible as I head outside to greet Mohammed. Mohammed and I exchange smiles and a simple conversation in broken Dagbani/English before he runs off to go pray.

Finding myself alone again, I begin my morning ritual of making coffee and studying my bible to start each day. My morning prayers consist of asking God for the direction and wisdom to guide me in a way He deems necessary.

October 4th marked my first month living alongside my family and community of Jerigu.

Life is not always a fun, exciting adventure in Jerigu. By all means, this has been the hardest and most challenging thing I have ever done. Yet, I know at the end of each day that I am a “tool,” being used by God to work in the lives of students, farmers and my fellow community members as an AgriCorps Fellow.

At the end of my 11 months in Ghana, I hope to say that I have been patient, consistent and trusting during this process of constant change. As you can see, I love my “new life” in Jerigu and I am ready for the next month of adventures and challenges that come my way.

Below are some pictures sharing some of the few adventures and new friends I have met during my first month.

Chandler Mulvaney received a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Agriculture Leadership and Communication. Before becoming an AgriCorps Fellow Chandler served on the Agriculture Future of America Student Advisory team and as a state 4-H President.

September 4th. My welcoming committee in Jerigu standing in front of my new home. :)
September 4th. My welcoming committee in Jerigu standing in front of my new home. 🙂
Learning about farming systems with Form 2!
Learning about farming systems with Form 2!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Farmers from all over my community of Jerigu coming to hear from the Director of Governance at USAID discussing the implementation of the "PICS" (Purdue Improved Crops Storage) project that will begin over the next 2 weeks in Jerigu to help with prolonged storage of crops with a select number of farmers in my community.
Farmers from all over my community of Jerigu coming to hear from the Director of Governance at USAID discussing the implementation of the “PICS” (Purdue Improved Crops Storage) project that will begin over the next 2 weeks in Jerigu to help with prolonged storage of crops with a select number of farmers in my community.
Who said learning can't be fun? Trying to introduce new games and learning methods always makes for a fun and adventurous time.
Who said learning can’t be fun? Trying to introduce new games and learning methods always makes for a fun and adventurous time.