RtD Students Visit Elmina Castle
OLD AKRADI November 2010
HIGH SPIRITS marked the start to November for students from the Right to Dream Academy in partnership with Vodafone as they embarked on their first ever school trip to historic Elmina Castle following last term's study of the Atlantic Slave Trade.
The trip provided the perfect opportunity for them to bring history to life as they explored one of the sites about which they had learned a great deal. Erected by the Portuguese in 1482, the castle originally served as a trade settlement, developing under Dutch rule in the seventeenth century to become a significant link in the Atlantic Slave Trade.
It was an early start to the day as staff and excited students set-off on the school bus for the coast – and for some the first opportunity to see the Atlantic Ocean! After an informative tour of the castle and museum, the students were able to reflect upon their experience, which certainly provoked some passionate debates – and complete a purpose specific worksheet.
Teacher Kelsey Sullivan led the school project and visit: “The trip was the perfect culmination to the school project. It was wonderful to see the boys asking deeper questions based on knowledge they had learned previously in class. They took full advantage of our time and when we gathered for the post trip discussion groups we were able to see how much they were impacted and moved through the visuals of Elmina.”
Academy Captain Francis reported, “It was excellent. It was my first time going to visit that place. Last term we learned about our ancestors, what they did and how they suffered. We learned a lot. When I went into some of the dungeon rooms, I felt sad and I almost cried. I thought to myself that this tragedy should never happen again.
“It was a very nice experience, and the tour guide was very helpful and informative. We learned a lot about our history. We need to work together now, people from all different cultural backgrounds to achieve our potential.”
Photos of the trip: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=259768&id=88799484030
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For more information,please contact:
Susie Daniell, Development Officer susie.daniell@righttodream.com tel:0200510072.
NOTE TO EDITORS
This year the Right to Dream Academy signed a three-year partnership agreement with Vodafone Ghana, enabling RtD to continue to deliver world class coaching and a specialised programme of personal development, education and leadership skills to some of the brightest but underprivileged young football prospects in Ghana.
To date, four RtD graduates have signed professional contracts for European Clubs – two senior internationals, one turning out for the Black Stars at just 19 years-of-age, three junior internationals; and a further 24 continue their studies whilst furthering their football ambitions on full scholarships at leading universities, private boarding schools and colleges in the US and the UK. Other RtD graduates either work within the sports industry or have secured contracts with Ghanaian Premier League clubs. In addition to mentoring students at the Academy, they also assist at local development projects on a voluntary basis.