Ethiopia Clean Water Project

I'm anticipating a few questions over this post since I live in a nation equally in need of better access to water even in the capital city, Accra. I also know that the world is in donating to Haiti mode--unquestionably important.

Nevertheless, an excellent blogger (who spent 4 years volunteering for a medical charity in West Africa) at The Art of Non Comformity blog is campaigning to raise $500,000 by next year for clean water access in Ethiopia. I know much of this blog's readership understands the dire situation regarding lack of access to clean drinking (or any) water across much of the developing world so I thought you might be interested to get involved in this campaign knowing that any contribution will actually go where it's intended. Check out Clean Water for Ethiopia here to get the full story.

Top 5 posts of 2009

You might be interested to know what the most popular posts of 2009 were. Here they are in order.

1. How Dangerous is travel in Ghana?
This is not really a surprise as we did a mini survey about what visitors wanted to know and Danger came out top of the list.

2. 19 Day tour of Ghana
We received numerous emails asking about what's best to see and do. After almost 4 years in Ghana, we put together our insider experience and created two different 19 day tours which you can see here. This was part of a "Ghana Highlights" series of posts which the link will direct you to.

3. A-Z of Everything I wish I knew about Ghana before leaving home
Packing and preparing to leave are not easy when you don't know what to expect. This post gives you the heads up.

4. 10 Days tour of Ghana
Like the 19 day tour, this was also a hit with readers with less time on their hands to see the best of Ghana.

17 Ways to Start 2010: Ghana Style

Join us for a pictorial journey through Ghana and prepare yourself for the new year!

You can read the whole post over at our new site G-lish.org or click on the link to the post: 17 Ways to Welcome 2010: Ghana Style

Here is a sneak peak!

1. Take stock of history.

Welcoming 2010: Ghana Style

Join us for a pictorial journey through Ghana and prepare yourself for the new year!

1. Take stock of history.

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Viewing the courtyard of Elmina Castle, the oldest standing European building in sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Now, time for a fresh start.

A split fresh coconut at Green Turtle Lodge

3. Looking for a change of direction? What are you good at? Maybe you’re a great cook?

The holiday menu at Green Turtle Lodge

4. Ask: What do I want to do? Perhaps you’re creative.

Bead makers at T.K. Beads in the Eastern Region.

5. Define your goals: know what you’re aiming for

Team player kicking a goal at Bawku Peace One Day

6. Don’t be afraid to take risks, no matter how daunting

The ropeway above the jungle canopy at Kakum National Park in the Central Region

7. Don’t give up, no matter how ominous the signs

Paddling into a storm on the way to Nzulezo Stilt Village, Western Region

8. Teamwork makes everything easier

Fishermen pulling in the nets at Bakaano, Cape Coast

9. But have a little Fun

Elephants swimming in the lake at Mole National Park

10. Explore

Friends doing the Abbey Road thing at Lake Bosumtwi, Ashanti Region

11. Spice things up

Varieties of hot peppers for making the standard range of Ghanaian dishes

12. Hang out with your friends

Children hanging out in Bolgatanga

13. And your family

Godwin and his brothers celebrating together (in Global Mamas shirts!)

14. And don’t forget to stop and smell the roses

Or the perfumed lilies on the way to Nzulezo!

15. And appreciate beauty in simple things

Garden eggs for sale in a market in Cape Coast. They’re related to the aubergine or eggplant and essential to many Ghanaian soups and stews

16. Find a quiet place for inner reflection

Where better than Axim Beach Hotel at seven in the morning?

17. And, celebrate: Happy New Year!

A full circle: Elmina Dance Ensemble practicing in Elmina Castle.

Now it’s time for you to write your own history too.

It’s 2010. Happy New Year.