Brownsville students on mission to homeland in Ghana

A contingent of 15 students and three chaperons are next month heading on a mission to Ghana, West Africa as part of the Brownsville Abroad program at Frederick Douglass Academy VII (FDA VII) High School on Bristol Street, Brownsville, Brooklyn.

“Our mission is to bring our scholars directly to Ghana in West Africa, a place their ancestors called home, so they can observe what it was and is through their own eyes,” English teacher Bijoun Jordan, coordinator of the program, told Caribbean Life exclusively on Friday.

“Ultimately, we think our students will learn that all of us in the African Diaspora are more the same than different, and that even though they have seldom ventured beyond Brooklyn, they really belong anywhere they choose to go,” he added. “Their sense of self and their pride in our heritage will expand.”

Jordan said the Brownsville Abroad Mission to Ghana, which is integral to FDA VII’s international travel club, runs from Aug.  21-30.

He said the program is supervised by principal Tamika Matheson and assistant principal Gail Murray, and supported by guidance counselor Revlyn Philip and a number of partners.

Jordan said the main partner organization is Birthright AFRICA, which is supporting the mission with program logistics, as well as with a portion of funding.

He said the tour operator, “who has already been of great assistance”, is African Roots Travel, owned by Maurice Cheetham.

Some pre-wash laughter after Damarley sprayed Mr. Jordan. (From left, Tristan, Shani, Kelly, Khristian, Kezia, Luann, Kelly, and Alyssa. Photo by Bijoun Jordan

The coordinator said the 15 traveling students are of African descent, 11 of whom are of Caribbean heritage, primarily Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Jamaica, but also St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Panama, Grenada and Haiti.

Jordan said the students have been members of Brownsville Abroad, participating in the school’s Ghana program since February.

He said the itinerary highlights include: A traditional naming ceremony at Gbawe Palace; a student-for-a-day experience at the African STEM Academy, as well as creating a mural and a technology service project; exploring the W.E.B. DuBois Center, Kwame Nkrumah Park, the Ghana National Museum, the Assin Manso Slave River and the Cape Coast slave dungeons; participating in the Chale Wote Arts Festival and a traditional drum and dance class; walking the canopy of the Kakum Park Rainforest; and an Afrobeat studio tour and composing an original song.

Having a silly moment and stretching before the Run So They Can Fly 5K in Prospect Park on Juneteenth. Photo by Bijoun Jordan

“Our travel initiative is fulfilling in a special way,” Jordan. “We get the opportunity to introduce our scholars to an entirely different part of the planet.

“For most of our students, this is either their first time on a plane, their first time leaving the country other than visiting family, or both,” he added. “Speaking for myself briefly, our work is like a distilled version of why I became a teacher. Students have a unique opportunity; will expand their perspective; and will develop deep, personal knowledge through unforgettable experiences.

“This is even more important considering many of our students have had less privilege and are getting the chance to rediscover their own heritage,” Jordan continued. “In addition, this particular group that we have this year has a lot of initiative. They participate fully and loudly, they have great leadership potential, and they have a thirst for exposure and growth.”

Jordan said organizers are “excited for what our scholars will encounter,” stating that, among other aspects of the trip, “there is a fine balance between visiting historical sites and learning that we continue to thrive as descendants of African slaves.

“We don’t want them to look at this experience from a deficit model,” he said. “Too often, students want to separate themselves from their African heritage, rather than gaining pride.

“What we hope students have begun to gain from this process is seeing themselves as part of a rich, strong lineage,” he added. “Their journey will be as much of a return home and a discovery of themselves as an exploration of a new place in the world.”

Teamwork makes the dream work! On July 14th, the students turned the block in front of FDA into a car wash and raised $1,011 for our travel fund. From left, Kezia, Tristan, and Kelly.Photo by Bijoun Jordan

Jordan said the mission program has come together “quite nicely”; that funding is “mostly complete; and, very important, the scholars have already participated in a number of enriching excursions and experiences.”

Student Johanah (last name withheld), 16, a rising senior, who lives in Brownsville, said she is “incredibly thrilled to discover the beauties of Africa through one of its well-known countries and city, Accra, Ghana.

“The well put-together program and itinerary of fun and educational experiences leave me anticipating the great outcome of this trip and journey,” she said. “I am ready to not only discover new parts of the world but to discover new aspects of myself and the people on the journey with me.”

Another rising senior, Damarley (last name also withheld), 17, who resides in East New York, said he is “both excited and a little anxious at the same time.

“I’m nervous because this will be my first time leaving the continent and seeing a significant location, where my ancestors formerly resided,” he said. “Seeing the many cultures and traditions, as well as the places where slaves were kept, will give that nervous feeling.

“Therefore, I have a feeling that my stay there will be really eye-opening and shocking,” Damarley added.

Jordan said he wants FDA VII’s scholars to experience the principle of Sankofa (“to retrieve”), “a West African expression for what we are about to do: We will return to our ancestral homeland and our history to see a new way forward.

“I want them (scholars) to see themselves in Africa and Africa in them,” he added, stating that two organizations are providing additional funding, and that the largest portion of the costs are covered through crowdfunding (gofundme.com/Brownsville-to-Ghana).

For more information, you can reach Jordan at mrjordan@fda7.org or (646) 247-6466.

Those who want to learn more about the FDA VII program can also Google Brownsville Abroad and/or follow on Instagram @fda7travels.