James' Kenya Adventure Learning Experience
Donation protected
Hi, My name is James Rogers and I have a story I'd like to share:
It was 1976 when a young, recently married couple from Canada decided to venture across the world to the continent of Africa. They settled down in Zambia, which they called home for the next two years. The young couple, Greg Rogers ( my Grandfather) and Eileen Rogers ( my Grandmother) taught in a local school, and worked as a nurse in the local hospital. Greg with his knowledge and social skills and Eileen with her love and compassion, became interwoven with the culture and absolutely fell in love with Zambia. From the food, to the music, the friendships, the traditions, landscapes, happiness, and the simplicity of life. The couple was in awe of this beautiful place and would take-away from it an experience that the Western World could never provide. They went on to have their first born daughter ( my aunt Erin) in Zambia just 6 months before they returned home to Canada. She was given an African name - Katanda which means "Little Star". Though they left Zambia, Zambia did not leave them; you see, my Grandparents brought back many (and I mean many) artifacts, sculptures, paintings, pots, stools, clothing, etc, you name it, they have it. They wanted the culture to live on in their home, and to be reminded of all the wonderful things Africa had offered them.
circa 1976
The couple had 6 more children - 5 girls and 1 boy, who were all aware of their parent's love for the continent, which was quickly instilled into them as well.
16 years later, Greg decided it was time, time to possibly head back to Africa, but how would he manage to pull this off? He and a co-worker by the name of DrRobert Lato developed a leadership program called 'Adventure Learning Experiences.' A program where High School students travel to other countries, take part in service learning, volunteerism, and participate in the efforts to continue to develop thriving communities, and most important to build relationships. Greg, Robert and their students traveled to other parts of the world including Kolkota India to work with Mother Theresa before they set off to Africa. In 2001 my Grandparents and two of their daughters, one of them being my mom, Eileen Jr. along with my Aunt Erin participated in the program and headed "home" to Africa. They traveled through Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia where my Grandparents came full circle and visited the home they once lived in, saw old friends and even went to the tiny clinic where my aunt was born.
mum volunteering in a preschool '01
Grandparents and Aunt at the hospital she was born in '01
A few years later Greg was in contact with one of his former students, Marc Kielburger. Marc and his brother Craig started a foundation called Free the Children, which now goes by the name of Me to We, or simply just WE. My Grandpa and the Kielburgers collaborated and now Adventure Learning Experience is officially a part of the WE movement. My Grandfather went on to bring his other children ( my aunts and uncle) over to Africa, which even led one of my aunts ( Maureen) to work at WE, where she travels to Kenya frequently. Talk about full circle!
And this is the part of the story where you and I come in...
In August 2020 a mere 20 years after my mom was in Africa at the very same age of 16yrs old, I will be participating in the Kenya Leadership Program.
I will spend the vast majority of my time volunteering at local schools, teaching, building classrooms, and helping in concrete ways to improve relationships with the community, while having the opportunity to interact intensively with the local people. I will partake in service learning, volunteerism, and educational programs in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Moreover, I will have hands on learning about development, world issues, leadership, environmental conservation and biodiversity through interactive seminars which will engage me to consider the importance and challenges of needed development, while ensuring the protection of the world’s most wondrous flora and fauna.
This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I'm asking you, my friends and family to consider helping support this program by donating as much or as little as you can to help see my way to Kenya.
Asante ( Thank you)
-James Gregory Rogers
Me Summer 2019 graduating from the Olympia Sports Camp Leadership Program which helped prepare me for the Kenya Adventure Learning Program
The delivery of this program is in conjunction with We Charity and Me to WE. Co-founded by Marc and Craig Kielburger, WE has earned worldwide recognition for its dedication in eradicating child labour throughout the world. One of its programs, entitled Me to We, is devoted to youth leadership and has established program sites around the world.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Dei2SXRnHnibtEr0qbfjUO_pgls9EPf/view?ts=5d8ab58e
video of the 2019 trip to Africa
It was 1976 when a young, recently married couple from Canada decided to venture across the world to the continent of Africa. They settled down in Zambia, which they called home for the next two years. The young couple, Greg Rogers ( my Grandfather) and Eileen Rogers ( my Grandmother) taught in a local school, and worked as a nurse in the local hospital. Greg with his knowledge and social skills and Eileen with her love and compassion, became interwoven with the culture and absolutely fell in love with Zambia. From the food, to the music, the friendships, the traditions, landscapes, happiness, and the simplicity of life. The couple was in awe of this beautiful place and would take-away from it an experience that the Western World could never provide. They went on to have their first born daughter ( my aunt Erin) in Zambia just 6 months before they returned home to Canada. She was given an African name - Katanda which means "Little Star". Though they left Zambia, Zambia did not leave them; you see, my Grandparents brought back many (and I mean many) artifacts, sculptures, paintings, pots, stools, clothing, etc, you name it, they have it. They wanted the culture to live on in their home, and to be reminded of all the wonderful things Africa had offered them.
circa 1976The couple had 6 more children - 5 girls and 1 boy, who were all aware of their parent's love for the continent, which was quickly instilled into them as well. 16 years later, Greg decided it was time, time to possibly head back to Africa, but how would he manage to pull this off? He and a co-worker by the name of DrRobert Lato developed a leadership program called 'Adventure Learning Experiences.' A program where High School students travel to other countries, take part in service learning, volunteerism, and participate in the efforts to continue to develop thriving communities, and most important to build relationships. Greg, Robert and their students traveled to other parts of the world including Kolkota India to work with Mother Theresa before they set off to Africa. In 2001 my Grandparents and two of their daughters, one of them being my mom, Eileen Jr. along with my Aunt Erin participated in the program and headed "home" to Africa. They traveled through Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia where my Grandparents came full circle and visited the home they once lived in, saw old friends and even went to the tiny clinic where my aunt was born.
mum volunteering in a preschool '01Grandparents and Aunt at the hospital she was born in '01A few years later Greg was in contact with one of his former students, Marc Kielburger. Marc and his brother Craig started a foundation called Free the Children, which now goes by the name of Me to We, or simply just WE. My Grandpa and the Kielburgers collaborated and now Adventure Learning Experience is officially a part of the WE movement. My Grandfather went on to bring his other children ( my aunts and uncle) over to Africa, which even led one of my aunts ( Maureen) to work at WE, where she travels to Kenya frequently. Talk about full circle! And this is the part of the story where you and I come in...
In August 2020 a mere 20 years after my mom was in Africa at the very same age of 16yrs old, I will be participating in the Kenya Leadership Program.
I will spend the vast majority of my time volunteering at local schools, teaching, building classrooms, and helping in concrete ways to improve relationships with the community, while having the opportunity to interact intensively with the local people. I will partake in service learning, volunteerism, and educational programs in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Moreover, I will have hands on learning about development, world issues, leadership, environmental conservation and biodiversity through interactive seminars which will engage me to consider the importance and challenges of needed development, while ensuring the protection of the world’s most wondrous flora and fauna.
This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I'm asking you, my friends and family to consider helping support this program by donating as much or as little as you can to help see my way to Kenya.
Asante ( Thank you)
-James Gregory Rogers
Me Summer 2019 graduating from the Olympia Sports Camp Leadership Program which helped prepare me for the Kenya Adventure Learning ProgramThe delivery of this program is in conjunction with We Charity and Me to WE. Co-founded by Marc and Craig Kielburger, WE has earned worldwide recognition for its dedication in eradicating child labour throughout the world. One of its programs, entitled Me to We, is devoted to youth leadership and has established program sites around the world.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Dei2SXRnHnibtEr0qbfjUO_pgls9EPf/view?ts=5d8ab58e
video of the 2019 trip to Africa
Organizer
Eileen Rogers-Coughlin
Organizer
Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON