Zaasuma...Owned by Everyone

I have finally moved into my home for the remainder of my time here. Officially welcomed by the team..well sort of, but it is all as expected. Savelugu seems a bit daunting and welcoming at once. my house is a bit far from time so i have acquired a nice bicycle to ride into town often. At first I have to admit that my confidence in riding as a bit low especially since the main road in my town is a major road that leads to the Upper west and straight to Burkina Faso. There are usually big trucks that speed through town and show no mercy to bikers and motorcycles, villages etc..
I have began interacting with the National Service students who have been posted to savelugu to face the creepy giant called Guinea worm. Th guinea worm team in town is very busy and full with energy to work and work and work. They do case searches of one community or the other almost daily and tirelessly record and record..with hopes to eradicate the worm, but things dont quite seem to be as easy as it seems. A couple days ago i traveled to Batonyili a small community of farmers with a few members of the team to carry out a guinea worm quiz. The quiz went as planned regardless of our hour lateness( a usual habit here in ghana), with no complaints from anyone except the driver who was furious at the perpetual lateness of the volunteers themselves. When we arrived n this town, and orderly stepped out of the car, a small child about 2 years oldl took off running and crying dramatically. I did not quite understand why until i turned around to see Mayo, the japanese volunteer laughing. The poor boy had been traumatized by the sight of a whit person and could not stand the interruption of his quiet un-asuming evening. It was very funny and sad all the same.

Im slowly setting up my kitchen, buying the basics and preparing to start cooking for myself, I have been regularly dissapointed when I go into town to buy food. I always scared and shrink a bit, so to say it in less words, im loosing a bit of weight until I begin to cook for myself. My neighbours wife is fantastic and shares in my plights and excitements about everything thats have been a aprt of my experiences so far. She supports me when I frown on the dry weather(Dry season is in full blast), and celebrates with me when I but a nice kitchen tool. All is well, im trying not to get sick and still finding the time to sit and write to you guys, in a more personal tone.
Harmathan is harsh, the people are still pleasant and my heart is still here especially since I have now been officially given a dagomba name...

Zaasuma.