Now the shift to work

Now the shift to work.

Besa, the country director, is now piling on projects, and I am becoming more and more aware of the ingrained politics. When I first came, he had fewer expectations for my placement. Now, in addition to researching the materials and architecture of Woe, I have a full list. Most of the adjustments are my own expansions, but there have been recent additions: * compile a complete index on building materials, their origins, and related construction methods. * identify structural archetypes, offering analysis and criticism of building techniques and designs. * draw a complete map of Woe (identifying zones, areas for future development, boundary lines, population distribution, etc.) * working with Anne + Adri, conduct number of group discussions, targeting current lifestyle in Woe and growth for the future * create a GIS-like database on Woe to analyze the community dynamics (with a task force of 9 recent SS graduates, it took us over two weeks to complete.) * provide both written and photographic documentation of the research * tutuor Asida (which unfortunately stopped a month ago.) * draft up a house design for Noah * provide basic editing and layout advice for any/all publications * create a resource database on universities and scholarships/financial aide.

Now, here is where Besa jumps in:

* resolve the heated boundary dispute between Woe and Anloga (30+ properties were mis-numbered by the Land Valuation Board--the chiefs and elders have been in disagreement for over 10 years. My being here is the ‘ideal’ opportunity to reinvest in the issue.) * create a 10 minute audio/visual profile on Woe that can be used in presentations and marketing * create a 10 minute a/v presentation on the involvement of CCS in Ghana * research the Agor beam as a construction material in Woe (translation: hike in the bush for a morning, watching a crew of 18 men chop down and split a premature coconut tree, to advise Besa on the productivity of creating a small Agor beam export business. My suggestion to him: invest in bamboo.)