Science teacher Mrs. Lippincott wins grant
by aidan eno
For most students, the thought of graduating and leaving their friends is a frightening one.
Ama Kyereme (12), however, is not like most students.
Ama will be graduating early at the end of this semester to travel to Ghana, where she will be living and volunteering at an orphanage and entering into a journalism program.
“I knew when I started high school I wanted a global education, so I took a lot of classes with an international focus. I always knew I wanted to graduate early, but it wasn’t until the beginning of my junior year that I knew I wanted to go abroad,” she said.
Ama is volunteering and learning through the Dream Africa Care Foundation, which allows students to interact with local communities in meaningful ways, whether that be through the form of service, education, or intern opportunities.
The Foundation operates in countries all over the continent, but Ghana worked out the best for Ama.
“I was originally thinking of somewhere in Southeast Asia, like Nepal of Cambodia. I eventually decided on Ghana at the beginning of this year because I had family there, and it really worked out well,” she noted. “We speak the language, Twi, at home, and since my mom travels to Ghana pretty regularly, there would be at least some familiarity.”
The best part of this, she pointed out, was that the program provides free room and board in exchange for volunteer work. Those involved only have to pay for transportation to the location.
Ama will be living and working in Accra, Ghana’s capital, but she’ll fly into Kumasi, Ghana’s largest city first.
She plans on spending a few weeks with her family there in order to get her bearings and acclimate to herself to the new country and culture.
“I’m really excited! But I’m also kinda sad to be leaving my friends behind and missing out on all the cool things at home. I was really looking forward to playing in the new girls CYO basketball club, but, now, I won’t be able to.”
When Ama arrives in Ghana, she’ll be bringing more to the orphanage than just herself. The International Club has started a toy drive to help Ama bring the children she will be working with a few gifts for the holiday season.
“Alicia Contreras wanted to organize a toy drive for the holidays, and when we both heard what each other were planning on doing, we decided to team up. We’ll be collecting toys and books until the eleventh,” she said. “I think it’s really great that we decided to team up, and I hope a lot of people will be able to donate to help the kids there.”
Anyone interested in donating can drop off gently used toys, books, clothes, and art/school supplies to Mr. Elsen’s room (100) until January 11th.
“I’m ready to go,” Ama says. “I think this is going to be a really great opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited to end my high school career this way.”
Ama Kyereme (12), however, is not like most students.
Ama will be graduating early at the end of this semester to travel to Ghana, where she will be living and volunteering at an orphanage and entering into a journalism program.
“I knew when I started high school I wanted a global education, so I took a lot of classes with an international focus. I always knew I wanted to graduate early, but it wasn’t until the beginning of my junior year that I knew I wanted to go abroad,” she said.
Ama is volunteering and learning through the Dream Africa Care Foundation, which allows students to interact with local communities in meaningful ways, whether that be through the form of service, education, or intern opportunities.
The Foundation operates in countries all over the continent, but Ghana worked out the best for Ama.
“I was originally thinking of somewhere in Southeast Asia, like Nepal of Cambodia. I eventually decided on Ghana at the beginning of this year because I had family there, and it really worked out well,” she noted. “We speak the language, Twi, at home, and since my mom travels to Ghana pretty regularly, there would be at least some familiarity.”
The best part of this, she pointed out, was that the program provides free room and board in exchange for volunteer work. Those involved only have to pay for transportation to the location.
Ama will be living and working in Accra, Ghana’s capital, but she’ll fly into Kumasi, Ghana’s largest city first.
She plans on spending a few weeks with her family there in order to get her bearings and acclimate to herself to the new country and culture.
“I’m really excited! But I’m also kinda sad to be leaving my friends behind and missing out on all the cool things at home. I was really looking forward to playing in the new girls CYO basketball club, but, now, I won’t be able to.”
When Ama arrives in Ghana, she’ll be bringing more to the orphanage than just herself. The International Club has started a toy drive to help Ama bring the children she will be working with a few gifts for the holiday season.
“Alicia Contreras wanted to organize a toy drive for the holidays, and when we both heard what each other were planning on doing, we decided to team up. We’ll be collecting toys and books until the eleventh,” she said. “I think it’s really great that we decided to team up, and I hope a lot of people will be able to donate to help the kids there.”
Anyone interested in donating can drop off gently used toys, books, clothes, and art/school supplies to Mr. Elsen’s room (100) until January 11th.
“I’m ready to go,” Ama says. “I think this is going to be a really great opportunity, and I couldn’t be more excited to end my high school career this way.”