On our first visit in March 2014.
Destiny and desire have lead me to this project. I have wanted to spend time in Africa for as long as I can remember. In August 2013, I was connected with a professor of Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) by an international graduate student from Ghana. I sent the professor an email. Two weeks later on the day that I was to meet a colleague from Ghana at my own university, I received an email from the GSL professor expressing his interest in developing some kind of partnership.
When I left my meeting with my colleague, I saw an interpreter who rarely works on our campus. I asked him what was up and he said that he was interpreting for Mobility International USA (MIUSA). I knew that could mean the Regional Resource Center on Deafness (RRCD) would be hosting international visitors, so I asked if there might be someone from Africa (not Ghana — what are the odds?). He said, yes there were three women from Africa, one from Malawi, one from Mali, and one from Ghana. “What?!” I said, “from Ghana?” Really, what are the odds? Sure enough there would be one woman from Ghana. I went and told my WOU colleague and invited him to come and meet her. He came over and we waited outside the room where she would be meeting with faculty from the university. She came walking down the hall and my colleague said, “I know that girl.” I said, “What??!!” She ran over and gave him a hug! His sister had grown up with her. What are the odds? Then as she talked about where she went to school, she said that she went to the university and studied with the GSL professor I had just gotten an email from! WHAT ARE THE ODDS???!!! I believe that I am destined to go to Ghana and learn all I can about interpreting and interpreter education. Hopefully, I will be able to offer assistance there to the interpreting community and the Deaf community whom they serve.
Elisa, I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Glad I can follow your adventures in Ghana as they unfold. Blessings to you and Frank
Such a great way to keep in touch and how exciting. Since we last heard, I have entreated the spirit of the universe to make it all works. Sounds like it is
Hey Eli. Anxious for more posts. What’s happening? Love the pic of you and Frank. Me and Nigel and the twins are thinking of you both, and hoping you have an awesome sabbatical. xoxoxoxo Shannon
From the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria. We meet at Turkey and I discuss with you on some important issues about Nigeria Sign Language Interpreters and a workshop that we are holding soon. I am following up the your progress and also the discussion we had in Turkey.
Sounds wonderful.
wonderful, I am bless to have you as my mentor and counselor.
God bless you Professor Maroney.
Well, that makes two of us — I am so blessed to have you as my cultural guide here in Ghana! Blessings to you, too, Carolina!
thanks very much for responding to my mail. since the last ten years of my life i have been into helping the deaf and hard of hearing, seeing your experience shows that am not alone in this course. the only problem i ve is that the sign Language Field in Nigeria aint growing at all. i really do love the young kids i teach in my school, i want to learn how to help them learn and compete with their folks that are vocal. I believe you can help me, they need us.
I am so grateful to God that all plans and vision for the interpreting program in Ghana is growing under able auspices of Professor Maroney; a seasoned lecturer in the field of interpreting . I was blessed to have her as my academic advisor during my undergrad years. I owe her and her husband, Frank a debt of gratitude for their selfless spirit for accepting the challenge to go to Ghana and help make this dream come true. I pray for their success , blessings , and Gods protection . I wish you and Frank well. Happy stay.
Can’t reach you via email. If Frank’s computer is back in commission, there is a very important message for him. Sad news, Leslie passed this evening at the nursing home, under hospice care, where she lived. Please pass this on to Frank and have him contact us. Thanx
You are a blessing to our generation and even the yet unborn. I can’t wait to be tutor from your pool of knowledge and experiences, the little bite of the ASL recipe I got at ASLIN workshop in Benin city still drives my willpower till I unveil the cap of my dream on this profession. Best regards.
This is nice. I hope you will come to Nigeria as well to share with us from your wealth of knowledge. From Kehinde Adeyanju.
wow!! that’s a great work done your information shared here would build and improve our knowledge
I am very happy for you, Dear Elisa, continue making memories and share them with us when you return home.
Hugs.
Theresa Rolow
Arkansas