After two days of traveling and a week of controlled chaos, I'm in Kumasi and heading to Naama on Monday morning. In the week leading up to my flight, just about everything that could go wrong almost went wrong, but at the end of the day I'm in the Ashanti Region with a functional camcorder, camera, and enough cash to fund the project for the next two weeks. I guess I can't complain :D.

We've bought shovels, pick-axes, and lye, and we change the dollars I was carrying for Ghana cedis at a very good rate (for anyone who wants to do something like this, carry big bills like 100's and 50's for the best rates). Monday morning we'll head to Mampong, the city closest to the village. There we'll buy food, cement, gravel, and sand for the next week or two. I have ample funds, and really am focusing on this water well project. Drilling a well is proving more expensive than anticipated, and shipping the solar equipment has been a tricky task yet to be successful. With that said, I'm optimistic (at least for now).

I've paid the contractor half the agreed price, with the other half to be paid at the end. Kwame is a god-send, he knows what he's doing alright. As of now everything is looking real good. Everything is going much smoother than the preparation period in New York. It's been great returning to Ghana too. This time the shock of seeing the poverty isn't there, and my view is I think much more balanced. I can appreciate Ghana now that I'm not dealing with culture shock. The laid-back attitudes of Ghanaians vibes well with my own California style.

Remember that this project is still in need of funds, so if you or someone you know want to donate email peace.of.mind.projects@gmail.com, or just send a check made out to Peace of Mind Projects to

P.O. Box 1484
New York, NY
10027

Until next time,
Paco