My name is Kara Kay and I’m a young Goddess on a mission!
Since I was a little girl I’ve always been interested in knowing who I am, what is my purpose, and where did I come from! Literally! I use to often ask myself and others how did I get into this body! Haha but it wasn’t until about four years ago I became obsessed with self discovery and the world around me. This obsession led me to question everything I ever learned which included the history of my ancestors. I was taught that I was a slave decent but I never where my people came from before 1619, and there is where my journey to Africa began. After doing some research it led to Nigeria then later Ghana and that’s where I kept my eyes on. I learned about the Cape Coast Castle and that this was where they shipped most of my ancestors to the America’s. I’ve always felt a connection to Africa and always loved learning, seeing, and hearing anything African. Even the drumming and dancing came natural to me. So, I made it my mission to go connect with the people I felt I belonged to. It took me three years but I finally got there and while I was there it opened my perception on life sooo much!
I lived in a rural area about three hours outside of the capital and city Accra. I resided in a little town called Ada Foah. I’m a Life Coach, so while I was there I volunteered at a foundation called The Volta Revival where I developed a program called The R.I.S.E. Guide to help shift the mindset of children who have been victims of child labor. Which is something you would literally see everywhere. Children working when they should be in school or simply just being children enjoying their childhood.
But I noticed everyone around me on the streets and in their businesses was hustling!
I never saw a hustle like this. It was very aggressive and they were very determined to sell whatever it was they were selling. These people aren’t hustling so hard because they have a pretty content life and now they’re working to reach the next level or a goal in their life. No, they’re hustling like this, to simply survive. Most Americans think we’re working hard but a lot of us wouldn’t survive a day and most Ghanaians lives!
And seeing this made me very grateful for what I have because I now see that I do not work as hard to have 5x more than what they do. I and most Americans do not do nearly as much to have the luxuries of consistent electricity, air conditioning, clean running water, bathrooms in the home, installed stoves, ovens, and refrigerators, running warm showers and bath tubs to clean yourself instead of using a bucket and possibly heating up your own water. A toilet where you can do 1 & 2 in, as well as being able to flush the tissue in the toilet. Laundry rooms or laundry mats instead of washing the clothes yourself or in a portable washing machine that isn’t a standard American washing machine. The option to have unlimited WiFi and data for your phone and other electronic devices, or anything else that most Americans have that’s taken for granted. After experiencing this I now have a new appreciation for my life!
But the one thing that amazed me the most was the unity and community I saw amongst everyone and the love that they extended to me! These people where quick to invite me to eat with them and commune with them even as a stranger. Even though they may be poor in some ways, they are RICH in humility, love, kindness, family, and pride in who they are! I did not realize how privileged, rude, and disconnected Americans are until I went to Ghana. I did not realize how much the Melanated community did not come together until I went to Ghana. It’s inspired me to be that change that I not only want to see here America but also in Ghana! People really do need to start investing, helping, and building in Ghana and other parts of Africa. I don’t care what no one says, these are our people and we truly are one! All this separation is simply a delusion and it must end!
I will say that I have discovered that American privilege is very real and every race and household in America has it! Some more than others but all of us have enough of it for me to say that going to Ghana, especially the rural parts of Ghana is NOT for the weak. However, it will make you strong!
I recommend anyone who wants to have an experience outside of American privilege should definitely go! Open your mind and go explore all the the beautiful parts of Ghana, the art, the food, the beaches, the lakes, the neighborhoods, the people, the music, the society, the different local languages, the Cape Coast Castle, other tourist attractions, the overall culture!
I can confidently say that after going I am not the same, and I wouldn’t change a thing because I truly feel like I got an upgrade. I am excited to go back one day and help make a change!
