Pre-Tour PresentationNicole Ball

Weymouth Public Schools

Professional Development Tour:Ghana, Africa

Why I chose this tourI know very little about African American culture.The United States is becoming more diverse and it is important to understand the different backgrounds.As an educator I need to help our students accept others with different cultural backgrounds.The more globally educated I become I can help my students become more aware of the world that exists outside of their homes.

Study tour goals:To learn more about the geography of Africa.

Gain an appreciation for Ghanaian culture.

Acquire a more in depth understanding of slavery.

Explore Ghana’s educational system and policies.

Topics for KWL

1. Education in Ghana

2. Ghanaian Culture

3. Slavery

1. To compare it to education in the U.S.

Discover new teaching practices.

2. In order to become aware of their views and way of life

3. To learn more information about an important event in both the U.S and Africa.

Why I chose these topics

Alga Hope PresentationAfrica is made up of 54 countries.Europeans saw Africans as different, but equal.Africa fueled the Industrial RevolutionBritish ended slavery because it wasn’t worth keeping them around .Late 1800’s Berlin Conference was held to decide how to “divide the cake”Colonial powers made a rule that no guns could be sold in Africa in order to have more control.

Alga Hope Cont. GHANA FACTS:

Akan is the largest ethnic groupGhana has 10 regionsKumasi is the capitalExports: Gold, Diamonds, and OilThe Big 6: Founders of the Gold Convention. Led Ghana to independence movement. Thrown in jail 1946.Ghana has fastest growing economy

                                              

Julie Kennerson PresentationGhana was the first country to gain its independence.70% of the population is Christian16% Muslim (this is growing)Although they are Christian men believe in having more than one wife.In the Ashanti Region children are named according to the day they were born.Older people are referred to as Auntie or UncleYounger people are called by their first name.

Julie Kennerson Cont.Weddings:

Mens family comes to give gifts to the brides family.

Ceremonies:People may pick a specific cloth to wear or color scheme. Red and Black are mourning colors.Kenticloth: A type of woven cloth worn by many.Tip wine to the ancestors before drinkingThere may be a stool for elders or people of importance to sit in. This symbolizes authority.

Kofi Tonto & Fati Sinkinah Presentation

Education:School laws were established by missionaries.School is in sync with the bible.Pray before and after school.Uniforms are worn by all. Must be clean and ironed.Outward appearance is very important.

Kofi & Fati Cont.Typical School Day

In school by 6 to help cleanParade time/morning ceremonies 7:30School starts around 8 and goes till 2 or 3

Punishment in school:Students could be given lashes with a cane.Made to stand in a corner.Help their teacher before or after school.Wealthy students often times will not receive a lot of punishment.

Kofi & Fati Cont.

Class Captains:

Are allowed to lead instruction when teacher is not in the room.

Give out punishments.

Maintain order in the classroom.

In order to be a captain a student must have good grades, and excellent behavior.

Book: Half the Sky

Discusses the lives of women in other countries and their fight be treated equally.Women all over the world are forced in sex trafficking.If they try to escape many are beaten or killed.Families are often the ones to force the women into trafficking.

Women in other countries are also raped and badly beaten on a regular basis.Many suffer from horrific injuries and receive little or no medical attention.Sometimes families will disown them or make them leave the house.Other families may try to seek medical attention, but because they have little or no money they are unable to get help.

Book: Half the Sky

Men and even young boys are brought up that is their “right” to abuse women.A woman does not have the right to report the beatings or rapes.Those women that did so were often beaten or raped by the officers they reported to, or they were brought home where everything would continue all over again.

Book: Half the Sky

In some countries if a women has had sex before she is married she would be publicly humiliated and killed.

Pregnancy and Birth Control

Many efforts have been made by the U.S to provide family planning support to countries around the world.

Book: Half the Sky

Although methods of birth control may be available to women in other countries, they are unable to afford it.

If a women becomes pregnant they often struggle to remain healthy, or suffer from complications.

Hospitals outside of major cities are often not equipped with the right medical supplies, or personnel to deliver babies.

Those were just a few of the topics discussed in the book.

The main solution to all of the problems that exist in other countries is to provide women with an education.

Many of the success stories told in the book were of the women who struggled, but did not give up the fight.

They fought for an education, to learn a trade, work in a hospital, form a business, or an organization.

Some of the success stories even involved women becoming head of the household and gaining control of their husbands.

Half the Sky also addressed how the just one person could have a huge impact on someone’s life. Also how one person’s selfless actions and belief's can help change the world.

Book: Half the Sky

Reflection:

So far I have gained quite a bit of interesting facts on life in Ghana. I feel as though I am well prepared for what my adventure holds in store, but at the same time I still don’t know what to expect.

Based on what I have learned so far many of my original thoughts have changed. I am looking forward more knowledge and change in our journey ahead.