Mairead and I spent a week living in the village of Abura, about 45 minutes from Takoradi. The Kombet family became our family during the week that we spent living in their home.

With the family

Claudia and Dominica were the little characters in the family. They were always eager to greet us, dance, play games, and often ended the night curled up asleep in our arms. Francis and Obed were always interested in playing football (soccer) and volleyball. As the more mature, responsible, older siblings, they were often found helping with the cooking, running to the market, or doing other important tasks around the compound.

Comfort and Mr. Kombet made us feel like we’d found our second home. Comfort would leave for the rubber plantations around 4 am, then return on time to make us lunch and dinner. The food was plentiful and delicious, and I was rarely able to finish a meal. Mr. Kombet was always around – walking us to and from the clinic, cooking us breakfast, and showing us around town. They did everything they could to make us feel at home. The interest they show in each of their new ‘kids’ extends far beyond the week spent in Abura. Throughout the week they mentioned several of their kids – reminiscing about their time in Ghana and discussing what they were up to now – and there were 16 others before us!

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