College students of African ancestry from Dalhousie will be part of African Nova Scotian group members on a journey to Ghana, West Africa this summer time.
The journey kicks off this week and is supposed to honour and commemorate the ultimate yr of the UN-declared Decade for Individuals of African Descent (DPAD).
Miguel Nkeng, a fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Recreation/Bachelor of Administration scholar is wanting ahead to the journey, which he calls a life-changing alternative.
“I used to be born and raised in Toronto and have by no means left North American soil. My father’s lineage traces again to Ghana, so this journey will likely be particularly significant. It’ll give me a way of the place I come from and the place my ancestors come from. I really feel like it’ll change my complete perspective,” he says.
‘Welcome house’
The group generally known as Connecting to Africa (CTA) helps to facilitate the 17-day in-country expertise. This transformative alternative will permit members to additional self-development and admire different views and experiences as folks of African descent.
“Travelling to Mom Africa offers the chance for folks of African descent to actually discover a place the place they really feel linked and residential,” says Dr. Barb Hamilton-Hinch, an affiliate professor within the College of Well being and and Dal’s assistant vice provost fairness and inclusion. “Reflecting on a quote that was stated to many people who went to Ghana throughout the fiftieth yr of Independence by the tourism minister, ‘Welcome house little children of our strongest ancestors.’ This quote will aways resonate for me as we proceed to supply these alternatives to college students and group members.”
The group will participate in CTA’s Studying Challenge and can work carefully with native not-for-profit organizations to share, be taught and alternate data about companies and sources. Members may even go to varied historic websites and be taught extra concerning the historical past and tradition of Ghana.
Members will be taught concerning the folks, tradition, and historical past of Ghana on the journey, which may even create dialogue exchanges and participation in a number of group growth actions.
Making the journey attainable
A complete of 15 persons are happening the journey, together with eight from varied African Nova Scotian communities and 7 Dalhousie college students sponsored by International Abilities Alternative with from the African Nova Scotian Technique and Dalhousie College.
“This journey wouldn’t be attainable for the scholars with out the help of International Abilities Alternative, the African Nova Scotian Technique, and Dalhousie College. I’m honoured to be the college member who will get to expertise most of the first with college students. Not solely do they develop however so do I,” stated Dr. Hamilton-Hinch.
The group leaves July 17 and can return August 7.
