After three flights, a five-hour drive (and an early-morning train for Josh and Nicole!), we rolled through the gates of our residence—11,700 kilometres from Toronto—to clapping hands and joyful shouts from David, Brenda, and our friends at NEA and Leyaata. What a homecoming!
Under the gazebo, our hosts sang songs of thanksgiving for our safe arrival. David Mensah welcomed us “as mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, and cousins,” a beautiful reminder that our team now spans generations—and that this partnership is, at its heart, family.
After settling in, we walked through Carpenter to greet Chief Solomon. In keeping with Ghanaian custom, we sought the chief’s blessing before beginning any work. I introduced our five new teammates—Tiffany, Rich, Brooklyn, Nicole, and Julie—to the chief and elders. Chief Solomon offered a deeply heartfelt tribute to Brenda Mensah for her years of faithful sacrifice that helped make this work possible. He then thanked our team, noting that we come motivated by love for the less privileged—words that humbled and steadied us.
Justina and her team prepared the perfect welcome dinner: oyster mushroom soup with fresh bread, followed by salad, rice with Bolognese sauce, and fries.
We have little energy left for socializing tonight, so it’s off to bed.
Tomorrow, our work begins.
Hotel party shuttle bus.
Boarding our domestic flight.
Convoy of NEA vehicles transported us for five hours from Kumasi to Carpenter.
Pit stop.
Halfway there!
Our hosts – David and Brenda Mensah.
Our team with Chief Solomon.
Newest Blue Jay fan!
DR. JENNIFER WILSON
MD, CCFP (EM), FCFP, DIM&PH, MPH (FCM) CSGH
Director of International Partnerships Canadian Consultant for Family & Emergency Medicine
Leyaata Hospital, Carpenter, Ghana
DISCLAIMER: This content is intended as updates shared to Ghana Health Partners’ Team Updates subscribers only and should not be shared with anyone.
Barb Brazier says
Cheering you all on from our – 5 degree temperatures. I can feel the heat in all these great photos. Just love seeing all our wonderful Ghanaian friends. Lovely to see David and Brenda with you all.
Cant wait to see all the important work happening side by side with all the Hospital partners.
So proud of my Dan
Barb
Christine Harding says
Thank you, thank you, for the all the photos. It really makes us feel a part of your mission, as we sit here at home looking out the window at the snow today. How wonderful that each of you is contributing to serve the people of Ghana.
Anna Grace Wilson says
Praying for all of you.
We got our first snowfall today. Roads are treacherous. Enjoy your warmth and sunshine.
Anna Grace, Susie’s Aunt.
Looking forward to your updates.
Isabel MacLaggan says
I enjoyed the first report including the pictures. The Remembrance Day poppies from Canada were nicely evident, one being worn by my grandson, Josh. Thanks to all you volunteers for the wonderful work you are doing.
Tiara Folkes says
I love you daddy! I like playing with you and I hope you come back. It’s so nice what you’re doing in Ghana. I miss you.
Love you Archie.
Nancy says
So nice to know you all made it to Carpenter! Thanks for all the pictures Jenn, certainly makes me feel a part of the action!
Praying for the team to do amazing things in the next couple weeks! Can’t wait to hear how the first few clinic days go!
Leslie says
I love all the beautiful smiling faces. Wonderful to see Dr David and Brenda!!
I pray for happy productive work for this wonderful team!!