We went back home....and it was so amazing! 

On a slightly humid Sunday evening in late February 2007, 26 students, parents and educators from Nsoromma arrived in the coastal capital, Accra, Ghana, after a lengthy trip from the states.

"Most of us collapsed," laughs school director, Dr. Madge Willis, more affectionately known as Mama Esi. She goes on to say that, in addition to being exhausted by the two-day journey, folks didn't waste any time turning in since "we had to be up by 6 am the next morning."

And what a morning it was. They left the hotel and headed toward the Eastern Region of Ghana and the Volta River, passing through the large seaport city, Tema, and several villages with varying types of vegetation and landforms.  They traveled to the Akosombo Dam, which created Lake Volta, where they received an orientation and tour on the top of the dam.  Akanke McKinsey, a 7th grade student, marveled at the "large dam that sent energy all over different parts of Ghana."

The next day, the travelers awoke to a beautiful view outside of their hotel window of the Akosombo Dam before leaving the city of Akosombo to explore the legacy and sites of the legendary Ashanti people.

"We visited the palace of the Ashanti king," says Mama Esi, noting that his residence in the city of Kumasi was "beautiful, and there were peacocks walking all around the place."  They also visited with the chief in the village of Mankranso, not far from Kumasi. 

"He had a linguist that we spoke through at first," continues Mama Esi. "Finally, the chief said, 'Why don't I just speak to you in English?'  We chatted and then ended up taking pictures with him. It was wonderful." 

The wonders didn't cease there as, over the next few days, the travelers visited other villages and areas around the city of Kumasi.   They watched as workers performed their intricate weaving process using traditional looms in the village of Bonwire, home of the world famous kente cloth. Also in Kumasi, the group visited a number of local schools where they interacted with native students.

"It was so inspiring to see these children working so hard with the little bit of resources they had," says Mama Esi. "They had no computers, Xerox machines, or hands-on materials and yet they were more advanced academically than U.S. public school children their age."

"Their behavior was inspiring as well," continues Mama Esi. "They didn't focus on the little things, they focused on their work, their community and the big picture. It was refreshing."

"The children were really nice," agrees Akanke. "We sat in class and saw what they were learning."

Heading back to Ghana's famous coast, the group stopped off at Assin Manso, a site on what they now call "Slave River" where captured Africans were given a final bath and rest before being forced to march the last leg of their journey to the slave dungeons of Elmina and Cape Coast. At the coast, they would encounter the historic "Door of No Return," the infamous portal and symbol of African enslavement throughout the Diaspora. Unfortunately, many felt this important and painful monument was not given the respect it deserved.

"It was distracting," says Diliza Ra-Jabari, an 8th grade student, referring to the loud music and activity of the numerous vendors set up near the site.

"They basically had a party going on outside," says Akanke, who also felt the site should have been given more consideration.

"It was inappropriate," agrees Mama Esi. "This is sacred space."

"Many Africans on the continent were not taught what we went through after we were taken, so their perspective is different," continues Esi. "That significant piece is missing from their history books.  We took books to the students in the schools we visited that told about our history and experiences, and our holocaust.  We wanted to begin to share information about each other as a part of building relationships with African people throughout the Diaspora."

Upon their return to Accra, the travelers toured a number of historic sites including the area where former president and independence leader, Kwame Nkrumah, began his political campaign, the National Museum, the W.E.B. DuBois Center and the ever-busy local markets. After a couple of days of this, the group engaged in the last major event of their journey, the Independence Day Parade held in the city's humongous Black Star Square.

"There was red, yellow and green everywhere," laughs Mama Esi, noting that "I've never been the patriotic type, but I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the excitement."

She estimates the parade crowd to have been close to 100,000. "It was high energy," continues Esi. "People were decked out in the colors of the flag and in kente, wearing colorful hats and clothing. It was a site to see."

This was almost the norm, in a land of many incredible sites to see and beautiful people to meet. Perhaps Diliza sums the sites, the trip and its true value up best. While the entire trip was, "a great experience," Diliza clarifies that "the best part of the whole thing was communicating with our people."

Written by Amari Damien Jackson