“I have no concept of privilege shame. It’s that I’m blessed. I recognize that I am blessed, and I am blessed for a purpose. And that purpose is to be a blessing to other people. So, my life, if I think about it, is framed by this. [When] I go to Ghana, and I see the poverty around me in my village, I ask myself, “How can I be a blessing in this?” - Eunice Cox, Owner of The Beach House, Ankwanda

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a month since I arrived in Ghana! Where has the time gone? Every day as I look at the calendar, I’m reminded that I need to start wrangling my paperwork to extend my stay.

There’s no doubt in my mind that I want to stay beyond June. I’m learning here. I’m growing here. I’m so very glad that I came.

That doesn’t mean that I’ve grown oblivious to the things that I mentioned in last episode – the poverty, inequality, and all that seems broken and unjust that I see when I look around in Ghana.

It means that I’ve seen that that’s not the WHOLE story of the Ankwanda, the village where I’m staying, or of Ghana, or of Africa.

I see beauty and resilience in the people here just living their lives. And I know there are people here doing incredible work to create opportunity, improve people’s quality of life, and build a brighter future for the next generation.

In season three, which is dedicated to the topic, “I Want to Change the World…So I Moved to Africa?!”, I’ll be talking to some of the people who’ve moved/moved back to Ghana, who are cherishing the good and beautiful here, even as they navigate challenges to chase their dreams here.  

I’m excited to be kickstarting the season by interviewing my friend Eunice Cox, owner of The Beach House, Ankwanda, and overall force to be
reckoned with. Tune into episode# 13, “Blessed to Be a Blessing” for a truly rich conversation with Eunice about the journey that led her back to Ghana after years of living in the UK and Canada, and the mind [and heart] set that keeps her hopeful and inspired about the future of her business, her village, and her
country.

Note: I need your help! As I navigate my own journey, I would love to talk to more people who’ve chased their dreams to Ghana (or Africa,
broadly) and are here making a difference in their own way. Know someone should talk to? Please let me know! You can reach me at janai@gilmorefacilitationllc.com or on IG @missjanaiashley.