Life After the Lilly

College Offers Dale Native World View

By MELISSA PAYNE

Editor's Note: Melissa Payne, a 2006 graduate of Heritage Hills High School, and a recipient that year of a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, spoke at November's donor-appreciation luncheon sponsored by the Spencer County Community Foundation. Payne is a senior at Ball State University and spoke about her experiences, including time spent in the African nation of Ghana. Payne will graduate Saturday and will move to Sioux Falls, S.D., for a job as news reporter and anchor at KDLT Channel 5.   



As I briskly walked down Ball State's campus this week, kicking up the crisp autumn leaves, I started reminiscing about the amazing journey my last three and a half years has been.  

I remember starting my freshman year out with a little anxiety ... but a lot of excitement.  My bags were packed, my car stuffed to capacity, and I hit the road.

Cruising along Interstate 65 with my music turned up, I couldn't help but wonder what the next four years would bring.  From my small hometown in Dale, I ventured off to a big campus with high hopes.  It's a good thing I buckled up, because little did I know, I was in for one heck of a ride!  

Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best:  "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."  Now,  I don't think he meant this literally... so when I got lost driving to Muncie the first time, I gave my mom a call, and took the next exit. I was back on track.  

Joining a sorority as a freshman was one of the best decisions of my college career.  Being a member of Kappa Delta has helped me explore and expand my philanthropic interests and give back to my community.  I have helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity.  I have volunteered at a soup kitchen and even took a trip to Pennsylvania on my spring break to work at a therapeutic horse-riding stable.  Not the typical road trip associated with spring break, but it was an experience I will never forget.

As a broadcast journalism student at Ball State, I stayed involved with NewsLink Indiana, which is a full-immersion news program and NewsWatch, a 30-minute nightly newscast.  I also spent my summer months interning in Fort Wayne and at Fox 7 in Evansville.  

But my biggest adventure to date is my study-abroad experience.  Last spring semester I studied at the University of Ghana. Ghana is a country on the Western coast of Africa, and is about the size of Oregon. Through this journey, I stretched myself to new lengths, stepped outside of my comfort zone, and experienced a culture so different from my own. While abroad I gained invaluable insight into the lives of the native people, as I experienced the hardships they face on a daily basis, as well as their achievements.  

The national language in Ghana is English,  but as I quickly came to find out, this doesn't mean everyone can speak English. Tribal languages are prevalent in African countries, so I took it upon myself to learn some Twi.

So, "Ete sen?" Which means, "How are you? "

And, "Eye" is "I'm fine."

"Ye fre me Ama," is  "My name is Ama." Throwing in a Ghanaian name always made them laugh.

And my favorite phrase that I used constantly while bartering at the markets, "Me pawocheo, te so, kakra." Please, take a little off the price.

When I got back to the U.S., I wanted to take my newfound bartering skills to Wal-Mart or Best Buy.  That shirt is a little overpriced.  Take a couple dollars off, right? But something told me they would be less than willing to reduce the price for me.   

While in Ghana, I volunteered my time and efforts to a non-government organization called Planting Technology International.  For me, volunteering wasn't an obligation, it was a duty that I was excited to fulfill.

This organization gathered used computers from companies and universities in the United States, and worked to change the technological landscape of Africa, one rural village at a time, by building fully equipped computer labs in these villages, and giving computer lessons.

One school we worked with had nearly 600 students, and only ONE operating computer ... The ironic thing... computer education is required in Ghanaian high schools, so teachers would draw pictures on the board of a mouse and a keyboard.

Another school had about 10 working computers for more than 2,000 students.  Six or seven students would be crowded behind one computer, trying to learn.  The first time these students ever touch a computer is in high school. Compare that to America, where even the poorest schools have computers, where students begin using a computer in kindergarten or before.

I realize that Planting Technology has a long way to go before all Ghanaian students have the opportunity to use computers, but I like to think our efforts will make a small impact on those who get to use the facilities we helped build.  

Someone once said, "the highest reward for a person's work is not what they get for it, but who they become because of it."  I can tell you, I became a more compassionate and empathetic person.  I became someone who thanks God everyday for the things I have. I became someone who understands what "doing without" truly means, and someone who understands the consequences.

Now,  take a minute and imagine a circular hut made of mud, not more than 20 feet in diameter. Now, go ahead and move all your belongings in, because this is your home. Don't worry about bringing the couch, because there definitely won't be enough room for that, and there is no closet to hang up your clothes.  And sorry, there isn't a mud garage in this deal, but you won't need one anyway, because you definitely won't have a car, or power tools to store, for that matter.  

Africans live like this on a daily basis and really until you see it firsthand, you can never really put it into perspective.  

The American mentality that I had acquired over the 20 plus years I have lived in the United State made me wonder, why didn't they just build the huts bigger?  Give themselves a little more room?   But what was most fascinating, is that the people who lived in these huts, were "happy"  They were happy?

My time in Africa made me realize that just because something is different than the way we do it, doesn't mean it's wrong or needs to be changed.  Just because I may think something needs to be, or could be improved, doesn't' mean that's what is best for society and the community!   Just because something seems more "primitive" from our perspective doesn't mean it needs to be modernized.

As I went into the rural villages and visited their schools while working with PTI, I had a personal revelation, again and again. At these schools there weren't colorful posters on the wall or goldfish in a tank. No games or gadgets.  Outside there wasn't any playground equipment.  

Obviously no air conditioning or Internet access. There wasn't even running water.  But the students were eager to learn and knew nothing else, so they were satisfied.  I am so impressed by the students' drive and determination. They were the lucky ones. They were in school, and they were going to make the best of it.  

Even though clean water is a luxury in most parts of Ghana, the police and government are corrupt, and the roadways and transportation systems are far from admirable, Ghana is beautiful in so many ways.  It's the vibrancy of the people, the culture. People are resilient and full of life, even with all of the adversities that they face.  And for all of the problems faced in Africa, you can meet someone who has maybe just one small meal of a cup of rice and they are happier than someone driving a fancy car in the United States.  

Studying abroad was absolutely amazing and eye-opening, overwhelming at times, and truly humbling.  As I boarded that plane on the way back to the United States, I looked out the window with a smile and said out loud. "Mekwaba"... which means, "I'll be back!"

Thanks to the Spencer County Community Foundation and all the donors who make it possible, I have had the opportunity to fill my passport of life with experiences that have made me the person I am today.  

I never would have been able to take advantage of all the opportunities I have been afforded without these scholarships.  I appreciate the support you have given to me and I am forever grateful. And one day, I will in return help others.

My journey continues as I graduate in December.  My map of life will have many twists and turns and take me in many different directions, but Spencer County will always be my home.

To Check Out Melissa's Work at KDLT Channel 5 South Dakota...Click Here.