The music being blasted from the truck’s speakers was stunning – as in, if you stood too close you would get stunned. But with 40-50 people between me and the truck, and another 150 or so behind the truck, I figured I was in a pretty darn good spot in the parade. What parade? Why, Advans’ 10th Anniversary walk/dance through the streets of Accra parade!
My colleagues at Advans informed me everyone would be there on Saturday at 6am for a 7am start. I set my alarm for 6:15, knowing if I got there by 7 I would still be an hour early. Sure enough, I got there a couple of minutes before 7am and I was probably the 10th one there.
The rest of the Advans employees from around the Greater Accra Region – about 180 I would guess – trickled in by 7:30, and we were off by 7:45am.
Banners, music, dancing, handing out flyers, a police escort to manage the traffic (we were under police orders to say on street and off the sidewalk – go figure), a truck with massive speakers, a DJ and support vehicles – made up the 2 hour walk around Accra under fairly cloudy skies – thank god!
Our band of merry-makers drew quite a crowd of onlookers, who were eage to take the flyers. We finished up back at HQ for more water and of course, aerobics! Yup, because 2 miles walking wasn’t enough, now that the sun was out and merciless, it was time for some real sweating-to-the-beat! I took some pictures, but was quickly called in to join the ‘fun’. I lasted about 15 minutes, and then made a beeline for the water and shade. I definitely made a better cheerleader than participant!!
Once the jumping, swaying, flailing and good times came to an end, next on the agenda was kenkay and fried fish. I grabbed my driver, who had been ecstatic to be invited to join in the walk (I think it was all about the t-shirt), and declared it was time to leave.
I may be embracing my new adventure, but really, too many adventures in one day…hmmm, will have to come up with an ending for that! Any ideas anyone??
What if...I can! 
What is Advans?
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Advans is the partner I am assigned to by Kiva, who hired me for the Fellowship. Not sure if it should be ‘hired’ or ‘awarded’, as it is only a small stipend. BUT, back to your question…Advans is a Savings and Loan in Ghana who works with people who are poor (turns out that is nicer to say here than “living in poverty”) and have no access to normal financial outlets. You can look them up at https://www.advansghana.com.
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Sounds like quite an adventure. Seems like you are getting on fine with every one. The heat must be oppressive, sunscreen?? probably not. Take care of yourself. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
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Believe it or not, its in the low 80’s here with a nice breeze. Saturday (day of walk) it probably got up to mid-high 80’s. But boy, is that sun HOT! And yes, sunscreen everyday, at least for my face.
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