Kesava das and Kesava priya dasi Sankirtan efforts

Dear friends and well-wishers,

Please accept our humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

Kesava Priya dasi from Denmark and I have been in Ghana, West Africa since September of last year.

We came on the invitation of Srivas Prabhu, the Zonal Secretary for West Africa to assist with college preaching, book distribution and Food for Life.

The response we have received from the local people has been overwhelmingly positive, similar to what I experienced on my previous visit to Ghana a few years ago.

The temple is in the village of Medie, a forty five minute drive from the capital city of Accra.

The temple has no reliable vehicle to speak of, so we are obliged to depend on the public transport system - an assortment of semi roadworthy overcrowded mini vans long past their prime.

The highway into Accra is undergoing a major expansion and renovation, so we have to endure these bone jarring rides at breakneck speeds over potholes and unexpected bumps. The heavy rainfalls change the road surface, making it difficult to know when one should "brace for impact." In addition to this, the roads are covered in dust.

But... the people of Africa are religiously inclined. I quickly realized this during my time with the East Africa Festival Tour headed up by Mahavishnu Swami in 2012.

At our outdoor festivals, I'd sit at our book table, as crowds gathered around our makeshift stage at the back of our Mercedes truck, watching a theatrical performance and participating in the live kirtan. We would often run out of books.

Kesava Priya dasi joined ISKCON in 1980 in Denmark and has proven herself to be a dedicated and fearless distributor of Srila Prabhupada's books, wherever she goes.

She also very much enjoys cooking and serving out prasadam.

I first came to Africa in 1969 as a small child with my parents. Since 2012, I have been returning to Africa on a regular basis.

We have been granted a one year missionary visa/residence permit for Ghana, with the option of extending it for an additional three years - something we will do.

But... we need a vehicle.

Bringing a folding six foot table, chairs and a box of books into an overcrowded mini bus has never endeared us to our fellow passengers.

A vehicle widely used for transportation of goods in Africa are the proven workhorses out of Japan and Korea. Used to transport everything from household goods to building materials, these rugged and dependable vehicles are seen everywhere. Highly manoeuverable, able to negotiate road conditions of all kinds, they stand up to the wear and tear that the merciless African roads subject them to day in and day out. Maintenance and fuel costs are relatively low.

The vehicle we need should ideally have a six foot flat deck behind the drivers compartment. On this we will install a large metal box to both store and display books.

A senior member of our devotee community has a Food for Life program twice a month. He is obliged to rent a vehicle as he has none of his own. My wife and I hope to assist him with this program. With no vehicle, however, this is difficult.

We are appealing to devotees to please assist us with the cost of buying a small truck.

$10,000 is the projected cost for a vehicle in good condition, insurance, all taxes, as well as a custom built storage container to be fitted on the back of the truck.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Your servants,

Kesava dasa

Kesava Priya dasi

ISKCON Accra, Ghana