Thomas in his home, 2007This is Thomas Issah. I met him when I spent 6 months living in Ghana back in 1996. I lived in the village of Yapalsi for over a month while I was there and I hung out at the Issah household quite a bit during that time. Thomas became the Chief of Yapalsi last year. He is kind and wise and I was really happy to hear he had been made a leader in his village.
Unfortunately he is currently having dental problems to the tune of $500, which to him and his family may as well be a million dollars. I'm trying to raise this money through friends in Canada. If anyone wants to buy Thomas a tooth ($25) please let me know!
Part of the Issah family in 1996.
Stella Issah filling the family's water jug.
Unfortunately he is currently having dental problems to the tune of $500, which to him and his family may as well be a million dollars. I'm trying to raise this money through friends in Canada. If anyone wants to buy Thomas a tooth ($25) please let me know!
Part of the Issah family in 1996.Thomas and his wife had eight girls and two boys. Sadly, Benjamin, the oldest boy, passed away 3 years ago. Thomas is a firm believer in education and he sent all ten of his children to school. This is expensive and therefore a rarity. Girls are usually kept at home to help with household chores, the classroom I visited while I was there was about 80% boys. I always felt a lot of respect for Thomas and his wife for sending all of their girls to school.
Stella Issah filling the family's water jug.I hung out with Stella quite a bit. She was just a few years younger than me and one of the only women in the village who spoke English as she was in High School at the time.
Clementina, Faustina and Anna Issah dressed up for Christmas, 1996. I particularly like that Clementina's sunnies are on upside down.
Mary Magdelene in her window. Mary was about 10 years old when I knew her, but I spent a lot of time with her. She was paralyzed from the waist down and so could not go to school as she had no way of getting there. Somehow she always seemed cheerful and happy despite this. I sent the family some money a few years back and they used it to pay for an operation for Mary. Last I heard she was walking with crutches and was attending high school.
Thomas fixing a mat with is hand-cranked sewing machine, 1996.
Thomas on the day of his enskinment, 2007. When you become a chief in the Dagomba culture you are given an animal skin to sit on, hence the term "enskinment". Apparently you also get to ride a horse and have an umbrella protect you from the sun.
The Issah family on the day of the enskinment.
Samuel Issah, clearly a long way from home.Samuel is currently finishing a Masters in Linguistics in Norway. Before he started his masters he worked with elders from small tribes in Ghana to help them record and preserve their dying languages. I am uber-impressed with the fact that he grew up in a tiny, rural village with no electricity and has managed to end up a graduate student in cold, cold Norway. Samuel is the primary way I keep in touch with the family as he has access to handy things like the internet.
Because Samuel is the only boy left in the family, the responsibility of caring for his parents lies on his shoulders. Any help with the Chief's teeth will be greatly appreciated!
Because Samuel is the only boy left in the family, the responsibility of caring for his parents lies on his shoulders. Any help with the Chief's teeth will be greatly appreciated!
