In June, I attended the dedication of a new school in an Atiwa District village.  I awoke that morning to heavy rain in the jungle and feared the event would have to be rescheduled.  However, I was told people were praying the rain would cease for a time, and so prepared by selecting my most colorful Ghanaian outfit to wear.

As promised, by the time I arrived at the site, the rain had let up.  Though I was early, people were already gathering in anticipation on the school grounds.  All ages were represented, and everyone was dressed in their best.  I admired the colorful sea of native Ghanaian clothing and felt right at home in the outfit I had chosen for myself.

I wandered on the edges of the groups that had formed and found many people who were delighted to have their photograph taken.  The women were beautiful and the men were handsome in their traditional dress.

As I photographed various people, one woman in particular stood out.  The depth in her eyes and something about her look captured me.  She stood gracefully in her native dress and headwrap, a look common for the Ghanaian women.  I took her photograph and moved on with the swell of the crowd around me.

Looking back, I found myself wondering who this woman was...what had her life been like up until this point...what opportunities and challenges had she experienced...what were her hopes and dreams.  I had captured only a moment in this woman's life, and her story was to remain as mysterious as her eyes.

I realized that my trip to Ghana will also remain an untold story if I don't take the time to document the words and stories behind the photos that I took.  Ghana was an amazing experience, one that I will never forget.  Ghana is always a good idea!

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