Article from July 1998

As featured in July 1998

African Visit Stirs Pride in Youth

Students Learn About Africa and Themselves

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Brandon Gaither traveled to Africa this spring when he was 10 years old and in the fifth grade at Harris Hill School in Penfield, New York. This is Brandon's story.)

By Brandon Gaither

I attend Harris Hill School in Penfield. Early in the school year, I announced to my class my desire to be part of the Students in Africa tour. My class was very excited. They thought it was a great privilege.

We tried to think of ways in which the entire class could be involved and came up with a great idea. My class agreed to collect school supplies and personal items for schools in Africa. My teacher, Mrs. Gorman, sent out a letter asking the students and families of my classmates to get involved. The response was overwhelming. Students brought in items such as toys, school supplies, clothes, dictionaries, and candy. Everyone participated.

My class was very interested in learning about a typical day in an African school. Our teacher challenged us to write letters and include our questions in them. After writing the letters, we compiled them into 28 books.

During the trip to Africa, we visited several schools. We searched for one that was extremely needy. At last, we found the perfect one and fell in love with the students. It was the Tom Tom Preparatory School in Accra, West Africa.

We woke up early one morning and took a cab to the outskirts of Accra. It took a long time to get there. The roads were very bumpy. Boy, was it hot. We thought this was the end of our ride. Surely, the school would be right around the corner. It wasn't. We had to walk further into the village, dragging the suitcases filled with gifts and even carrying them on our heads. We were not as skillful as the Africans in doing so, but at last we were there.

As we approached the classroom, the children stood and greeted us with a welcome song. They sang to the top of their lungs. It was as if we knew them. They were very excited to see us.

I was sure happy that we collected all those items for them. It looked like they really needed the things we brought. The classroom did not have a roof, which made it very hot. The blackboard appeared to be very old. I didn't see any books at all.

When the children were given permission to sit, they did so very quietly. They listened carefully to everything we said. One at a time students were called up to say speeches. Some of the speeches were several minutes long. I wondered how they could memorize so much. They seemed to really value education. The students were interested in learning everything they possibly could.

My mother taught a lesson on careers and occupations. I interviewed each student, asking them what they wanted to be when they were grown up. Some of the occupations included: lumbering, cosmetology, sports, modeling, and fashion design. I encouraged them to hold on to their dreams.

After my interview with them, the students asked me questions. They wanted to know what it was like to live in the states. They listened as I described it. One student asked me what it felt like to be rich. I told him that he was the one who was rich. I told them they had not been taken from their homeland and that I had. I shared that Americans take so much for granted. Africans tend to use their resources more wisely.

After we finished with the lessons and interview, it was time to pass out the supplies. It was the moment that they had been waiting for. We unzipped the suitcases. The students began to stand up and peek as we began to take items out of the suitcases. They applauded when they saw the pencils, paper, books, rulers, glue, notebooks and so much more. The staff and students were surprised and very grateful to receive such needed items. I knew nothing would go to waste. They began to write to their new pen pals immediately.

It was difficult to leave. The children gave me so much more than I gave to them.

The Students in Africa Committee expected all students who participated in the tour to return and make presentations. The students at my school eagerly awaited the day for my presentation. They were overwhelmed by the many things I brought back from Africa for them and wrote me thank you letters.

There was so much that they did not know about Africa. I was delighted to share some true facts. I decided to explain the trip as I experienced it, one day at a time. My classmates were genuinely interested.

I felt like a messenger sent to tell the story. This was an awesome responsibility.

I described family life and how families in Africa spend a great deal of time together. I talked a lot about gratitude. I shared about how very small things make African children happy. They have been taught to focus on things that count, such as education.

I described how slavery began, the horror of the slave dungeons, and the misery involved in the middle passage. I explained how families were torn apart in many cases never to see each other again.

I shared many details about the trip, which created a desire for many of my classmates to visit Africa. I am extremely proud to present my culture and heritage.

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