By Bob Braddy
Joan Rocha is a Dillon native, the daughter of attorneys J. Trus and Mary Francis Hayes of Dillon, now deceased. She graduated from Dillon High School and the University of S.C. with post-graduate work at Vanderbilt. After many years of teaching at Dillon High School, she made perhaps the most important decision in her life when she decided to volunteer as a high school teacher in Ghana, West Africa.
After visiting family and friends for Christmas, she left to return to Ghana last week. The long flight was made at her own expense, and the comforts and amenities of life as we know it here were left behind with no regret. Joan gets no pay for her work in the Ghana schools, only the satisfaction of her work with the students.
“It was my passion for teaching and my faith in God that led me to leave behind the familiar surroundings of local schools for the experience of teaching at St. Francis of Assisi High School for girls in Jirapa, Ghana,” she said.
Joan credits her fellowship with the Reverend Henry Kulah, a native of Ghana who was pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Dillon, her parish at the time, and also a Franciscan sister from Ghana who visited Dillon, for their influence in making the decision to go there. One of her former Dillon High School students, Clarissa Graham, also told her about her visit to Ghana, sponsored by Furman University.
“I just had to go see all of this for myself,” she said.
Incidentally, after her work in Ghana began, another Dillon native, David Braddy, went to Ghana for two summer medical missions. David will graduate in May from The Medical University of S.C.
St. Francis High School where she first taught serves over 1000 girls. English is an important subject because it is the official academic language in Ghana. The girls sit for 8 hours a day in hard wooden desks in classrooms of about 50 girls each. Meals, cooked on opened wood fires, consist largely of beans and yams, and do not include meat because it is too costly.
Joan says conditions at both the Girls and Boys’ Schools are rustic, with frequent power outages, temperatures in the 100’s and no air conditioning. At night she has seen many girls outside on dormitory porches, struggling to read and study by light of one pale bulb, which comes and goes. At the Boys’ School students attend mandatory nightly Study Hall where one light bulb is the reading light. In both schools, mosquitoes swarm in the night, infecting many students with malaria. Roofs in the school buildings leak and there is no such thing as a hot shower. The girls and boys must pump water and take a bucket of water back to their room, which is their shower for the day.
Joan has separate quarters, but conditions are basically the same. She has to scrub her clothes using a rock in the muddy river.
For transportation, Joan rides a bicycle or takes a local van, called a trotro, which, instead of 9 passengers, is often packed with 20 people in oppressive heat, and a goat in the back.
Despite any hardships she says the students she serves are joyful, respectful and helpful, and they absolutely love their school work.
“I am just impressed with the spirit of joy in their learning,” she said. “Their Church services are very joyful too.”
In addition to teaching English and choir music, she is assisting with computer skills for a training program for young women in weaving and culinary arts, two skills that can help them start their own small businesses. “I have observed the Ghanaian people to be hard-working and joyful.” she said. “I think it has to do with the fact that in day-to-day life it is such a spiritual place. The people don’t make a big deal about being spiritual, but you feel it. The whole experience has nurtured my faith because it has shown me the loving power of God. In 2013 the church is celebrating the Year of Faith, so I will assist the students in their Bible study classes.”
Upon her return to Ghana she will continue with her English/Music projects at Xavier Boys School, and also organize the library at St. Victor’s Seminary in Tamale.
Joan says she hopes her story will help nurture to the missionary spirit in everyone.
The students must pay their own way to attend the schools. The Ghanaian government gives some financial assistance, but it is not nearly enough. Admission to the schools is very competitive, and the boys and girls must work hard to be accepted. For a contribution of $90, the cost of a student’s tuition, room and board, and clothing for a semester can be paid. Many of Joan’s friends in the Dillon area are making these contributions now, having heard Joan’s story. Those who would like to participate can do these so by contacting Mary Bailey at 843-774-9448.
“All people should understand they are truly missionaries, through the gift of self, through their contributions to church appeals, and most importantly through their prayers.” she said. “We are all bringing the gift of our Lord to people around the world.”
Readers can view the Xavier Girls and Boys’ Schools where Joan teaches at www.youarewelcometoxavier.shutterfly.com.
