Blog 1 – Call Me “Obroni” - A blog on Inclusiveness
Date: Tuesday May 13, 2014
By: Natalie Timla (aspiring Global Citizen)
Special note: I had not yet built up the confidence to take out my camera and photograph others during my travels, therefore, no photo here…please use your imagination towards the end of this blog.)
The YMCA of Greater Toronto has six core values. “Inclusiveness” is the value I wish to discuss for the purpose of this blog. I would like to state that the Ghana YMCA staff members have exemplified what it means to be inclusive. They have welcomed me into their community and have taken all measures to ensure my comfort and inclusion within their YMCA, especially during the times when I found it challenging to adjust to a different atmosphere. Ghanaians are hospitable and the YMCA staff have truly demonstrated first-rate hospitality. Excluding the YMCA, residing in a foreign land such as Ghana has presented me with a feeling of being different. During my first few days here I tried to gage the feelings and perspectives others have of me. The word, “obroni” is often spoken when I walk by, coupled, at times, with smiles or a straight face. I often wonder how I am perceived by the citizens I pass by on my way to the YMCA and throughout my journey.
What does being Canadian mean here? In my new environment, I am categorized under one umbrella titled “obroni” which means “foreigner”. This leads me to wonder, what is the implication of the word “obroni”. I asked this question to one of my hosts and he stated that the word “obroni” has a good connotation. I question whether or not this applies to everyone’s view.
My observations have lead me to wonder whether the perspectives of those who see me are accurate or fallacious. Then I ask myself, why is this important to me?
My answer to this question is that inclusion and acceptance will undoubtedly support an individual’s progression in many varying aspects of his/her life. Confidence and a sense of security are two facets I can name at this moment. Additionally, inclusion is important to everyone, whether we realize it or not. We are born into communities which include our immediate families, extended families, our neighbourhoods, society, etc. The YMCA of Greater Toronto and the Ghana YMCA work diligently to include individuals, as I continually witness.
The first few days were, in part, occupied by trying to make sense of how people view me as someone who, on the outside, looks different. Am I a target because I am different or will I be valued as all human beings from all walks of life should be?
Then, one day, while walking with one of my hosts who, at that time, was providing me with words of comfort to help me better adjust to my new environment, came my, “call me obroni” moment. (Please use your imagination here) This was achieved when I witnessed the beautiful faces of four small children no older than five years of age, who yelled out with big smiles and energetic waves, “Obroni, obroni, how are you? Hi, hi, hi…Obroni, obroni!” I waved back enthusiastically and was compelled to look back a couple of times to see their lively expressions as they continued to shout for awhile. It was at that moment, next to my interactions with Ghana YMCA staff, when I truly felt included.
In that moment, I could not help but think how much better the world would be if we could welcome each other’s differences with enthusiasm and acceptance to achieve a world which upholds the value of inclusiveness like the YMCA and like the four adoring children I passed by during my travels.
Date: Tuesday May 13, 2014
By: Natalie Timla (aspiring Global Citizen)
Special note: I had not yet built up the confidence to take out my camera and photograph others during my travels, therefore, no photo here…please use your imagination towards the end of this blog.)
The YMCA of Greater Toronto has six core values. “Inclusiveness” is the value I wish to discuss for the purpose of this blog. I would like to state that the Ghana YMCA staff members have exemplified what it means to be inclusive. They have welcomed me into their community and have taken all measures to ensure my comfort and inclusion within their YMCA, especially during the times when I found it challenging to adjust to a different atmosphere. Ghanaians are hospitable and the YMCA staff have truly demonstrated first-rate hospitality. Excluding the YMCA, residing in a foreign land such as Ghana has presented me with a feeling of being different. During my first few days here I tried to gage the feelings and perspectives others have of me. The word, “obroni” is often spoken when I walk by, coupled, at times, with smiles or a straight face. I often wonder how I am perceived by the citizens I pass by on my way to the YMCA and throughout my journey.
What does being Canadian mean here? In my new environment, I am categorized under one umbrella titled “obroni” which means “foreigner”. This leads me to wonder, what is the implication of the word “obroni”. I asked this question to one of my hosts and he stated that the word “obroni” has a good connotation. I question whether or not this applies to everyone’s view.
My observations have lead me to wonder whether the perspectives of those who see me are accurate or fallacious. Then I ask myself, why is this important to me?
My answer to this question is that inclusion and acceptance will undoubtedly support an individual’s progression in many varying aspects of his/her life. Confidence and a sense of security are two facets I can name at this moment. Additionally, inclusion is important to everyone, whether we realize it or not. We are born into communities which include our immediate families, extended families, our neighbourhoods, society, etc. The YMCA of Greater Toronto and the Ghana YMCA work diligently to include individuals, as I continually witness.
The first few days were, in part, occupied by trying to make sense of how people view me as someone who, on the outside, looks different. Am I a target because I am different or will I be valued as all human beings from all walks of life should be?
Then, one day, while walking with one of my hosts who, at that time, was providing me with words of comfort to help me better adjust to my new environment, came my, “call me obroni” moment. (Please use your imagination here) This was achieved when I witnessed the beautiful faces of four small children no older than five years of age, who yelled out with big smiles and energetic waves, “Obroni, obroni, how are you? Hi, hi, hi…Obroni, obroni!” I waved back enthusiastically and was compelled to look back a couple of times to see their lively expressions as they continued to shout for awhile. It was at that moment, next to my interactions with Ghana YMCA staff, when I truly felt included.
In that moment, I could not help but think how much better the world would be if we could welcome each other’s differences with enthusiasm and acceptance to achieve a world which upholds the value of inclusiveness like the YMCA and like the four adoring children I passed by during my travels.
