High School Ghana Trip

by Zaynab Z.

“I learned more about the culture and lifestyle of Africa and how girls and woman live in another part of the world,” 9^th Grader Claiborne Beary said. “I stayed in Ghana for ten days, learning how the African women and girls live. I am interested because I want to support the girls and take more care of the world.” 

            Only  certain girls were able to go to Ghana, Africa: Sully Hildebrand (11^th), Leah Recasner (11^th), Gabbi Szabo(10^th), Jessie Hernandez (10^th), Sally Jane Stern(9^th),  Mariel Nelson(9^th), Claiborne Beary(9^th), and Sofia Cabrera(9^th) Three teachers also went: Eileen Powers, Debby Pigman, and Val Whitfield-Dunn. These three teachers came along to be chaperones. When they arrived, they were welcome by a naming ceremony and dancing.

There the girls and teachers worked with the SISTA Scholars. The SISTA Scholars is an organization that helps give African girls educations. The girls left on February 7^th, 2013 and it took a full day to get there. They went on British Airways.

Two things the girls thought of to raise money were a book drive and a Duds Day. They needed to raise money to give the African girls money for a year at school. They accepted slightly used books that are high school leveled. The girls  donated 254 books and McGehee t-shirts. The last day to bring them in was Wednesday, February 6^th, 2013. If you wanted to wear duds you had to bring in at least $2.00. Some students brought in more money, which was fantastic. All that money would provide African girls with a scholarship to be educated.

The McGehee girls’ goal was $1,500.00 and they collected about $2,200.00! It only took $300.00 to give an African girl a scholarship for one year! The McGehee girls were able to give eleven African girls and education! Many students participated, including teachers.  

                        The girls did many different activities while they were in Ghana. They visited the girls’ school, went to a monkey sanctuary, wove hats, went to the beach, botanical gardens, made cloth, and did a lot of dancing! The girls had to get immunizations to prevent getting diseases like malaria. The girls returned on February 18^th, 2013. The girls and teachers made a presentation to the High School and Middle School on March 5^th, 2013. 

 

Map of Ghana courtesy of The Ghana Report

 

Claiborne Beary and Monica. Photo courtesy of McGehee School.

                                            Photo courtesy of Visiting with our SISTA Scholars