by Carrie Wells
The PepsiCorps team has been staying in the town of Denu, which is located in the Volta Region of Ghana. Denu is on the Gulf of Guinea and as a result, fishing and farming are the major sources of income. The Vilcabamba Hotel, our home away from home, is situated in a small community, surrounded by gardens. Over the past three weeks we have noticed peppers, carrots and onions growing in this hot, humid climate. Early in the morning, our neighbors are raking and weeding. Later in the day, sprinklers run, giving the crops the water they need to thrive.
Walking past the gardens, towards the beach are the homes. Most are made of palm leaves from the trees which line the beach. These homes, like most in Denu, do not have running water. Thus, there is a high level of activity, such as bathing, using a latrine and washing clothes occurs outside.
The beach is magnificent. It stretches as far as the eye can see and for this community, it is a vital resource. Early in the morning women come down to the water to wash the metal basins they use for cooking, carrying water and bathing children. Men go out to fish at 2:00 AM, using large wooden boats, many with inspirational messages written on their side. Later in the day, the children come out to play, rolling in the sand and catching crabs, the older ones taking care of the little ones. Even without adults around, they all seem to understand the power of the ocean and do not venture into the water.
