Trip to Ghana

Last year because of all my family and friends, I was able to go to India.  (See photo above.) Some of you made that possible and I thank you again, and again.  (I hope you liked my PowerPoint on the African Village in India we visited and the other sites.)  If you can't give again, I totally understand - you were pretty generous last year. But if you can, it will be pretty wonderful. Like all of the other students, I have to fundraise if I want to go.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR'S GHANA TRIP
"¢ Visit schools and donate supplies.
"¢ Meet Prince Anayan and see the Royal Court in Tiebele.
"¢ Visit Donkor nsu (Slave River) where captives were forced to have their last bath. Pour libation for ancestors.
"¢ Visit Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti.
"¢ Tour village of Apatrapa. Meet and dialogue with 8th graders.
"¢ Have clothing made by dressmakers and wear it to a grand feast (I'm designing a dress.)
"¢ Go to Kakum National Park and do canopy walk.
"¢ Take Day Tour of Istanbul, Turkey.

QUESTIONS OUR CLASS WILL EXPLORE TOGETHER
"¢What pre-conceived notions did I have about West Africa and how were they formed?
"¢What if anything do we notice about the culture of West Africans that reminds us of the culture of people in the African Diaspora?
"¢ What do West Africans know and teach about the slave trade and slavery? How does it compare to what we have learned in school?
"¢ How do I define poor and rich? In what ways are West African peoples poor and rich?
"¢What are schools in Ghana like and what does it take to get a high school education?
"¢How do their schools compare to ours?
"¢ We have studied African Dance and Drumming in school, and seen lots of African textiles and sculpture in the United States; what if anything new have we learned about African dance, drumming, textiles, or sculpture as a result of actually going to West Africa?
"¢How has my perception of Africa and my worldview changed as a result of this trip? 

MY BUDGET
Travel and Hotel  - $2800
Visas -  240
School Travel Uniform - 100
Spending Money - 200
Immunizations - 160
New Passport and Miscelaneous - 120
Gofundme Fundraising Fees - 360
                                                     _______
                           Total $ To Raise   $ 3980*

*As we did last year, if I raise more than my budget, I will donate it to the school's Global Travel Fund.

MESSAGE FROM MY MOM
I believe that the world has changed so much, our young people can't afford not to be exposed.  So I'm not just sending Zinou, I'm raising money - as I did last year - to send other students in her school, as well.  If you would rather support that effort, please do go to the Razoo Website below.  And if you have ideas on how I can expand my work to help more and more of our young people have global educational experiences, please share with me.  I am becoming a person on a mission.  
To Give to Zinou:  Click the "Donate" button on the top-right of this messge.
To Give To The School: www.razoo.com/story/TLT-Ghana  

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
Perhaps you have a mailing list and can spread the word to your friends/family, organization or colleagues. 

WHAT I WILL BRING BACK
Knowledge.  I will create another PowerPoint for you or an essay and art inspired by my trip. 

ABOUT MY SCHOOL

My school, The Learning Tree, is a community-based and supported, teacher founded, PK- 8 independent school in the Bronx that emphasizes academics, the arts and global exposure.