A Masked Suffering....

A local once said, “if I start crying, I may never stop…”

According to Harvard Health, crying releases oxytocin and endorphins which are feel good chemicals to lessen physical and emotional pain. Something most of us accept as an appropriate response. Remember this as I depict the visible physical disparities and the hidden emotional sufferings. 

Something I noticed being here is the amount of physical suffering and hard work Ghanaians go through to survive each day. It’s 38°+ and every day they wake up most likely in their village on a mattress on the cement ground or in the stand where they work. No air conditioning and no access to free filtered clean water. In addition, we are here through Ramadan, and many people are fasting from dawn to dusk.  

In spite of this, they show up for their day 100%. Can you imagine not being allowed to drink water in 40° weather? I would cry, be angry and exhausted. However, every encounter I’ve had simply walking past one another, has always been met with a greeting to ask how we are and a welcome to their home. Not to mention it is with the biggest smile on their face. If you ask how they are regardless of what is happening it is always “I’m fine,” even when it’s not. Physically you can see someone may be unwell and exhausted, but emotionally they are telling you everything is good. 

I am amazed at how much joy and laughter there is circling around, and everyone’s smiles are contagious. But why don’t they express some of their true feelings? It is in their culture to not cry and show emotion in ways that appear as if something is wrong. Many terrible, sad accidents and diseases occur here and they have to brush it off. Having all that mental pain built up inside someone is exhausting. But here it is normal. If you cry you are weak.

In the hospital healthcare is not free. If you can’t afford pain medications you won’t be given any. Many patients experience broken bones, stitches, labour, dressing changes and barely grimace. You may see a tear trickle down their face but nothing more. You may hear the odd scream, but no tears.

I’ve seen a mother at the bedside of her son who had a brain injury take the time to welcome me to Ghana with a smile on her face. I was taken aback, the chances of someone grieving in pain to welcome me with a smile in Canada is rare. 

In Canada we have so much readily available at our fingertips and yet many walk around miserable. In Ghana they live in survival mode almost every day but walk around with a smile on their face and good day to you. Ultimately, the joy and resiliency Ghanaians embody is truly inspiring. 

Posted by Alexis, 4th year BSN Student