Preparing...

Akwaaba!  With just two days to go until I leave for my little adventure to Ghana I'm starting a blog.  In truth, my commitment to diary writing - not including the spate of disastrous diatribes from The Teenage Years - typically consists of annual, half-hearted entries for January 1st-3rd before my efforts quickly fade, withered by the sudden onset of silly self-consciousness and the fact that, frankly, I'm too lazy.  I hope this time, especially given the public nature of blogging, to resist dwelling on the number of times I trip over my own feet in a single day.

I am heading to Accra, Ghana on Thursday to begin a short volunteering placement as in-house Writer/Editor at the Nubuke Foundation, a non-profit arts organisation with a broad remit of promoting Ghanaian culture.  I arranged my placement through Ikando (http://www.ikando.org/), an Accra-based volunteering organisation which specialises in professional placements and had several arts-based opportunities. Part research archive, part gallery, part performance space, part discussion forum, the Nubuke Foundation - from what I understand - is a unique body with a rising presence in the Ghanaian cultural scene.  They have recently moved to premises in the East Legon district of the city which are allowing them to dramatically expand their programme; the last six months have witnessed the opening of a cafe space, a regular poetry night, film and theatre evenings as well as an exhibition schedule that most recently consisted of a photographic show exploring the architectural heritage of Ghana's capital city.  I do not know entirely what they will want me to be engaged in during my short time with them but I am certainly very excited at the prospect.

So, until Thursday when I jet off (via Cairo...it was a cheap flight), I'll be charging my camera batteries, not forgetting to take my Malaria pills and thumbing my way through the guide book. I hope to write my first post from Accra by the weekend.