Caribbean Life: Bronx 8th Graders Travel to Africa
Bronx 8th graders travel to Africa By Verona Forde Published: Monday, April 5, 2010
The Bronx 8th graders from the Learning Tree Cultural Preparatory School are now in Kenya, Africa to broaden their horizons.
They left from Kennedy International Airport on Emirates Airlines on March 31 stopping over in Dubai and then to Nairobi Kenyatta Airport. They are expected to return on April 10.
For most of the kids, this will be their first time out of New York. The decision for this trip was based on the historical election of the first African-American president whose roots are in Kenya. Since the students are African-American, this trip would be fitting to open their awareness to their African heritage.
Last year, the students went to Senegal and Mali, but the Global Exposure Program has taken the students to
China, Morocco and Spain.
The Learning Tree is a private school run by Lois Gregory, the Principal and the Head of the Middle School is Mrs. Zenina. The school is located at 801 Bartholdi Street behind Evander Childs High School
in the Bronx.
The Global Exposure Program has been in existence for 10 years at the Learning Tree. The class sizes are small, so all 13 eighth graders are attending this trip along with four teachers and nine parents including Ms.
Collette Escayg, a Middle School Parent Representative.
The group will visit Lake Nakuru National Park, the national museum and Massai Mara Game Reserve, where they would see lions, elephants, rhinos and gazelles. They will see cultural dances and try new foods.
One of the highlights of the trip is visiting the Obama Secondary School, which is equivalent to high school in
America. The Learning Tree students will donate much needed school supplies. In addition to the school supplies, they will also donate sanitary napkins for the older girls. Collectively, those girls missed weeks of school because they don’t have the simplest of solutions for nature’s flow.
Another highlight would be having lunch with Mama Sarah Obama, President Obama’s paternal grandmother. Western Kenya Tourist Office organized the group to visit Kogelo.
Dr. Dorsett organized the tour through Africa Dreamer Tours in Valley Stream, Long Island. She has travelled the world herself and owns a travel business. She gave talks to the students about Kenya and taught them how to behave and interact with the residents.
The Global Exposure Program received funding from other sources and that stream was trickling because of
the down economy. The students proved regardless of the state of the economy that there is money out there. All they did was pay attention. The students worked hard with the aid of parents and teachers to make this trip happen.
Parents and students joined forces and did various fundraisers such as sold lunches, dinners, have bake sales and game night. For this trip, $1,000 was donated by each organization - the student council, parent council,
after school karate class and even the lady with the snack cart. The school will pick up the extra costs including baggage handling and transportation.
Although the students and others helped with raising money for the trip, they are still accepting donations to cover other expenses when they return as well as preparing for next year’s trip. Sponsors and
donations are needed. If you would like to help the students broaden their learning experience through travel, please contact the Principal Lois Gregory, at 718-944-0958 or visit the website,
www.thelearningtreeprep.org.
Instead of reading about different cultures, the Learning Tree students can experience it for themselves.
The Bronx 8th graders from the Learning Tree Cultural Preparatory School are now in Kenya, Africa to broaden their horizons.
They left from Kennedy International Airport on Emirates Airlines on March 31 stopping over in Dubai and then to Nairobi Kenyatta Airport. They are expected to return on April 10.
For most of the kids, this will be their first time out of New York. The decision for this trip was based on the historical election of the first African-American president whose roots are in Kenya. Since the students are African-American, this trip would be fitting to open their awareness to their African heritage.
Last year, the students went to Senegal and Mali, but the Global Exposure Program has taken the students to
China, Morocco and Spain.
The Learning Tree is a private school run by Lois Gregory, the Principal and the Head of the Middle School is Mrs. Zenina. The school is located at 801 Bartholdi Street behind Evander Childs High School
in the Bronx.
The Global Exposure Program has been in existence for 10 years at the Learning Tree. The class sizes are small, so all 13 eighth graders are attending this trip along with four teachers and nine parents including Ms.
Collette Escayg, a Middle School Parent Representative.
The group will visit Lake Nakuru National Park, the national museum and Massai Mara Game Reserve, where they would see lions, elephants, rhinos and gazelles. They will see cultural dances and try new foods.
One of the highlights of the trip is visiting the Obama Secondary School, which is equivalent to high school in
America. The Learning Tree students will donate much needed school supplies. In addition to the school supplies, they will also donate sanitary napkins for the older girls. Collectively, those girls missed weeks of school because they don’t have the simplest of solutions for nature’s flow.
Another highlight would be having lunch with Mama Sarah Obama, President Obama’s paternal grandmother. Western Kenya Tourist Office organized the group to visit Kogelo.
Dr. Dorsett organized the tour through Africa Dreamer Tours in Valley Stream, Long Island. She has travelled the world herself and owns a travel business. She gave talks to the students about Kenya and taught them how to behave and interact with the residents.
The Global Exposure Program received funding from other sources and that stream was trickling because of
the down economy. The students proved regardless of the state of the economy that there is money out there. All they did was pay attention. The students worked hard with the aid of parents and teachers to make this trip happen.
Parents and students joined forces and did various fundraisers such as sold lunches, dinners, have bake sales and game night. For this trip, $1,000 was donated by each organization - the student council, parent council,
after school karate class and even the lady with the snack cart. The school will pick up the extra costs including baggage handling and transportation.
Although the students and others helped with raising money for the trip, they are still accepting donations to cover other expenses when they return as well as preparing for next year’s trip. Sponsors and
donations are needed. If you would like to help the students broaden their learning experience through travel, please contact the Principal Lois Gregory, at 718-944-0958 or visit the website,
www.thelearningtreeprep.org.
Instead of reading about different cultures, the Learning Tree students can experience it for themselves.
