Julius

Julius is Bishop’s older brother. He smiles most of the time, so it was rare to catch him not looking goofy 🙂 The kids usually play barefoot, but Julius insisted on leaving these socks on for his “soccer boots,” haha. He didn’t seem to care how filthy they got, but then asked me if I would wash them so they were “pure white.” I tried my best, and then Larisha and Deborah stepped in, lol.

Reubin

This is Reubin carrying a bamboo trunk that they used to make their soccer goals. He used to call me his “mum” because I told the kids they could all be my children 🙂 He has the same birthday as my older sister, and was very excited to find this out. His brother (who is older and shorter than him) always used to yelled, “AMERICA’S STRONG GIRL!” when he saw me, haha. Needless to say, I miss them.

Diana

Diana is a twelve year old girl with a HUGE personality…shes a little actress for sure. She liked to play school and be the teacher so she could beat people with a stick. She routinely left red lines on my legs from whacking me with twigs, and I would just turn around, stick my tongue out and say, “DOESN’T HURT.” I liked to play on their level, haha. One night I had a battle with her (a semi-friendly one…she loves the attention, lol) that left me with smashed banana in my hair, and a missing toenail. Needless to say, I was impressed, haha. She was so obnoxious, and the one responsible for all of the kids saying, “Madame Stephanie! Your buttocks is PLLLEEEENNNNNNNTY!” awww, and I miss her everyday 🙂

Kwashi and Henry

Kwashi playing with a big sharp object while Henry stands by, probably waiting for his turn, haha. It took me a while to get used to the kids playing with anything/everything, including knives, machetes, big sticks, etc.

AMASAU, Ghana

People walking in front of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Signage & Advertisement Unit.

Small girl

A small girl (thats what they call kids, “small girl” or “small boy,” when they talk to them, you don’t even have to use names) in Beyin.

Bishop <3

Strongest kid ever! Pretty much all of the kids could do one handed hand stands, and it was amazing.

Boy in Town

A random kid in town eating an apple. (This was after he threw up his peace sign and hand signals and thought I was done taking photos, haha)

Sassy Larisha

This little girl loved having her photo taken, but often I would have to wait a while to capture her not throwing up the sideways peace sign or sticking out her tongue, haha.

Peeking Peeta

Peter (but they say it like Peeta, its so cute) taking a break from playing soccer after school in the wooden structure used for cooking school lunches.