Emily going to Ghana with students in July

"Emily Eisenhart (MA, Social Sciences) is the Director of the Center for Addiction Recovery in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. Eisenhart is the assistant director of the Study Abroad Ghana trip organized within the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health and has brought Georgia Southern students in long-term recovery to Ghana in the summer of 2012 and 2013. The aim of the GSU study abroad students in long-term recovery is to exchange experience, strength, and hope with Ghanaians and gain insight and experience working within the international public health sector. The students who have returned from Ghana have been forever changed because of their experiences, and they often have the resources to increase awareness of the lack of resources of those attempting recovery from alcoholism and addiction in Africa. Mrs. Eisenhart is interested in building connections with treatment and halfway facilities in Ghana to track recovery outcomes and learn how to increase sustainable resources that have a measure of demonstrated success. After her first trip to Ghana, Emily fell in love forever with the country, people, and culture and never wants to stop trying to help people in Ghana and all over Africa to find ways into recovery."

 Emily Eisenhart, M.A.
Director, Center for Addiction Recovery
Dept. of Community Health Behavior and Education
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

Georgia Southern University

David Whiters to Ghana

David Whiters, PhD is a person in long-term recovery (29 years), will be visiting Ghana for ten days in March, 2014.  Dr. Whiters attributes his recovery to being involved in the 12-step recovery programs, involvement in his church, and his faith in God.  David is certified as an addiction professional and is the founder and former Executive Director of Recovery Consultants of Atlanta, Inc., a faith-based, peer-led Recovery Community Organization.  He has vast experiences with the recovery advocacy movement and transitional housing programs in the U.S.  He is also an expert trainer in Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC).  While in Ghana he is available to do ROSC training as needed.  He will also visit the House of St. Francis and the Hopeful Way Oxford House .  Please contact Byron Merriweather for more information. 

"...and we will go to Wa."

Those six words appeared in an email from Dr Eugene Dordoye. My first thought was "where?" and thanks to Google Earth I soon discovered where it was located. In my previous three trips I had never made it out of the Accra region so experiencing a new part of Ghana was something that I was excited to see on my agenda.

 The trip was to be an overnight adventure. The bus station was busy and crowded with several buses waiting to load passengers for the 10 hour or so journey. Loud music was coming over the speakers of the bus as we began the journey and I had two questions going through my mind. (1) I wonder what Wa will be like? (It was great!) (2) I wonder when they will turn down the music? (NEVER!)  :-)

 We arrived in Wa and after a quick check in at our motel we started our busy day. Our first start was at a special clinic that my new friend Randy who lives in Wa had arranged. A special clinic had been set up to take advantage of the wisdom and expertise of Dr. Dordoye. While I mainly observed these visits many who attended displayed the typical signs of addiction and to each of them we would say "come back here tomorrow. We are going to have a meeting that can help you". 

 The meeting of course was a 12 step meeting and I was excited and surprised to discover that many of the people we invited returned for the meeting. Father Damien (a Catholic priest from France who is currently ministering in Wa), Dr. Dordoye and I met with this group and gave an introduction to  AA meetings to them. We shared with them that this program has been around for a long time and that many  people have stopped drinking as a result of the program. A mini meeting was held and some sharing occurred.  It was a very positive time and as we closed the meeting they were reminded to come back again and that these meetings and this help was being offered to them FREE.  It is a good work that is happening there. Father Damien has a lot of work ahead of him as he tries to introduce and grow recovery in Ghana but he is eager and willing to share what he has and I am sure he would welcome your prayers and support.

 Another highlight for me was a panel interview that we took part in at the campus radio station. As we shared with the listeners that addiction is a disease and that recovery was possible the host asked one of us "what should be done with these people?" I smiled as Randy looked back at her and politely asked "what do you mean these people?". As she explained she was talking about those who drink too much or use drugs Randy calmly and kindly explained that "there are no "these people" and that alcoholics and drug addicts are just like you and me. He gently challenged the notion that they were crazy or demon possessed and repeated our message that while addiction is a disease recovery is possible and that all of our communities can be part of the solution.

 We also had the opportunity to have educational sessions with nurses and medical students. Dr. Dordoye spoke on the biological nature of addiction and Father Damien and I shared about some basic 12 step principles.

 f you are ever fortunate enough to hear the words "we're going to Wa", rest assured that you are going to a great place. It is a place that has some incredible people who are working hard to bring experience, strength and hope to their community.

 Mark

Recovery in Cape Coast

Two and a half hours West of Accra you will find Cape Coast Ghana. Well known for its famous slave castle, for me it will also be remembered as home to a growing recovery community.

 My first stops with Dr. Eugene Dordoye was Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital where an AA meeting was held. The twelve steps is still a new concept in Ghana and for many gathered in the circle this was the first they had heard of it. Some spoke with surprising openness and other with great hesitation and reluctance but the seeds are being planted and I am confident that as this group grows we will see lives changed.

While in Cape Coast we also had the pleasure of spending time with Sister Rosette and a recovery community she has developed. This was a real treat! We met with this group of six or so for two days. It was obvious that they had done a lot of work on recovery. People shared their stories and each reported several months of sobriety. "Me" had turned to "we" and they genuinely seemed to care for and support each other. One day was spent together in a conference and this is where the work they had done as a community became apparent. Instead of the reluctance that is often experienced in the company of strangers the men and women in the circle shared openly with each other. They were able to speak about where they were and where they are now and to offer encouragement to each other. While still early in their recovery it was obvious that a foundation had been laid and that those in attendance had genuine hope for their future.

While Sister Rosette's group was one that provided a lot of encouragement it was also one that provided the greatest concern. Sister Rosette was a visitor to the country and had received word that very soon the church was sending her home. "What will happen to this group when the sister leaves?" is a question that bothered me then and "what has happened?" is a question I continue to ask. While I have specific concern for this group I think the question "what will happen?" is a general one for recovery in Ghana and that the question emphasis the importance of our support to this growing but fragile work.

Maybe the better question is What will I do? What will you do? What can WE do to continue to support and grow recovery in Ghana?

 

Submitted by

Mark Webb

Recovery Africa Planning Session & Dinner March 20, 2014

See below the invitation to our fundraising dinner.  If possible, please join us.  A planning meeting will take place on the same day form 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. to continue the process of registering Recovery Africa as a 501(c)(3).  We will keep you up to date on developments.  The draft vision and mission statements are as follows (comments please):

Draft Mission Statement

 To assist Ghana and other African countries develop organizations that effectively address addiction to alcohol and drugs by developing prevention, treatment and recovery programs which lead to meaningful and productive lives. 

 Draft Vision Statement

 Recovery Africa will become an innovative developer of evidence based services which assist Africans to prevent and overcome substance abuse and to live productive lives.  People in recovery in Africa and North America will mutually enhance their recoveries by exchanging experiences. 

 

SAVE THE DATE   March 20, 2014   Recovery Africa   Fundraising Dinner   Time:      6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Venue:    Rock Creek Mansion                  5417 Cedar Lane, Bethesda, MD Price:       $100.00 More Information: Dan O’Laughlin Tel:     301-986-4983             202-255-5886 (Cell)             danagnes1@yahoo.com   Website:http://hopefulwayghanablogspot.com

 

Mark Webb at the House of St. Francis

I was recently blessed with the opportunity to spend a day with the men and the staff of the House of St. Francis.

 

As you walk down the road you see the sign "House of St. Francis" but for most that go past it looks just like any other building. However, as you enter the building you soon discover that it is a place where lives are changed.

 

My first meeting was with a couple of the staff of the house. As they discussed a couple of the men they were dealing with and some specific situations of concern I was struck by the fact that the issues here are so similar to ones faced by the men I work with 5,000 miles away.  I was also struck by the enthusiasm of the staff as they discussed possible next steps and ways to help these men on their journey to recovery.

 

After the meeting I was told that we would soon be having a class and I was given the opportunity to speak about the 12 steps. While this was an unexpected surprise I was excited and grateful for the opportunity to share with these men. They quickly warmed up to this "white man that talks too fast" and started to share with me in a very open and honest way. I was again reminded that the similarities of addicts in Ghana and Canada are greater than the differences.

 

After enjoying some delicious fish for lunch  I got to spend some time with Byron Merriweather. To describe Byron as dedicated, enthusiastic and committed only begins to describe the passion he brings to his role at HSF. Byron sincerely wants every person that comes in the doors to gain what they need to get well and stay well.

 

Our day together ended with a trip to the Black Star AA meeting in Adabraka, Accra. As the tro tro bounced along enroute to the meeting I enjoyed the laughter and banter of this group of men who seemed to genuinely enjoy being a part of this community. It was fun to listen and join in and I was glad  that I had become part of this fellowship.

 

The House of St. Francis is doing an important and valuable work with a group who have great needs and few options to deal with those needs. They are blessed with a staff that genuinely cares and great things are possible for the House of St. Francis and I am grateful for the day I spent with them.

 

(Mark Webb is the Program Director of Glencairn Hope Acres Rehabilitation Center in Ontario, Canada)

Thinking about a Recovery Center

Training Center – The Hopeful Way Foundation will be examining the feasibility of establishing a “Recovery Center” on the almost half acre plot where the Bill Moore Oxford House is located near Accra.  The exact nature of such a center is yet to be determined but it would assist in strengthening the recovery movement that is gaining momentum in Ghana.  During the coming months, we will be examining various possibilities.  Initial thoughts are to construct additional buildings which would accommodate 30 or so residents, a hall which could hold about 75 participants, break out rooms for smaller meetings and a kitchen.  The current building being used as an Oxford House holds up to 14 residents.  The Recovery Center, if that is to be its name, would be flexible and able to meet the training needs of the recovery in Ghana.  The trainers would come from professionals in Ghana, the U.S. and other countries, recovery experts and others who have solid recovery experiences in 12-step recovery, Therapeutic Community, etc.  It is likely that the Hopeful Way Foundation would move forward with this Center only if other organizations came on board with their formal collaboration.