It's complicated

After I met Baaba when we arrived in Accra, I watched her fashion clothes and make them from just measurements. I also watched and heard her frustration in her living arrangements. Some kind of construction next to her building, sent something through her roof to knock down a portion of her ceiling. Despite asking for the landlord to fix it, nothing was done. She had to live with a downed ceiling and then portions of the wiring going out. It became hazardous to live there. In October of last year she was really anxious to get into a new apartment. 

Another complication is that one of her sewing machines had gone down. She couldn't find anyone who can fix it. She comes over to use my simple machine sometimes, and brings her serger so she can go between while making clothes. I have watched her sew up many things without patterns. Only one stand-up ruffled collar gave her many problems. I watched her sew it up and take it out numerous times until she finally had success. But getting out a sustainable production of garments while working in adverse conditions is tricky. So people wait (or go to another person) because she can't always sew up the dress, shirt, pants, etc. that her clients want in a timely manner.

A great day when this collar worked!

She finally found a place and then had to wait 2 more months to move in. And then the electricity didn't work. The landlord paid the electric company for 10 units though he has 13. Getting that worked out was tricky and took a few more weeks. Then the water only comes on a few days a week. She has to be there to fill her barrel when the water is on so she has water when she needs it. Like I said, it's complicated.

The other complications come when she can't get a ride on a trotro on a Sunday morning as one or two don't show up. Another interesting thing is her kitchen is too small to house her oven so it is outside.  Running back and forth is unwieldy. Her deep freeze is in the living room with a lace cover on top. Again, unwieldy, useable, but unwieldy. 

She does love having a bigger place and room for her sewing and other items to use her talents. 

As I get closer to my friends I have found that most of them have different complications. One lady has to go get water as the tap that supplies water to the whole neighborhood is broken. Nobody can fix it as it runs through a leach field that is over-run by more homes than were expected to use it. Hauling the gunk out is complicated by politics and who is responsible for what. Meanwhile it is problematic to clean clothes and wash floors etc. for those that live downside of the broken pipe.  Drinking water has to be bought and brought in.

And then I live in Disneyland where everything is taken care of. Plenty of running water from the taps, electricity that runs everyday, garbage is picked up twice a week, lawns are mowed by someone else, the pool is cleaned weekly, someone washes our car every Tuesday. Comparisons are pretty stark.