Rites of Passage 2013
African Renaissance Monument
On April 3rd 2010, the African Renaissance Monument was unveiled inDakarin front of 19 African heads of state, includingPresident of Malawiand theAfrican UnionBinguwaMutharika,Jean Pingof theAfrican Union Commissionand the Presidents ofBenin,Cape Verde,Republic of Congo,Ivory Coast,Gambia,Liberia,Mali,MauritaniaandZimbabwe, as well as Jesse Jacksonand musicianAkon, both from theUnited States. President Wade said "It brings to life our common destiny. Africa has arrived in the 21st century standing tall and more ready than ever to take its destiny into its hands.” President Bingu said "This monument does not belong to Senegal. It belongs to the African people wherever we are.”Reverend Jackson said "This renaissance statue is a powerful idea from a powerful mind. This is dedicated to the journey of our ancestors, enslaved but not slaves"
Journey Reflections
Introduction
Dear Supporters,
First, I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to be able to travel to West Africa. This is something I will remember for the rest of my life because it truly is a life changing experience. It has opened my eyes and made me so much more thankful and appreciative for everything I have at home. This is one of the biggest endeavors I accomplished and will not soon be forgotten. Justyce Fitzgerald
I would like to say thank you for the opportunity to letting me be able to travel across the world. Before the grant came I was not going to go because of financial problems and I was quite sad. However, when Mr. Bass said we might be able to get a grant I was so excited because it gave me a little bit of hope. When the grant was approved I was overwhelmed with joy and I was counting down the days. Thank you. Asantewaa Gordon
Thank you for everything that you have done to make this opportunity possible for me. In this letter I Robbie Harris would like to tell you what a great experience this trip was for me and how strongly it impacted my life. Robbie Harris
Thank you for making this trip to West Africa possible. You have allowed us to experience a place that not many kids my age get to go to. A place where education is unlimited and the experience is immeasurable. Smelanda Jean Baptiste
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to open my eyes and experience a new world. This trip has awakened me to the history, culture and ways of African life. It was truly a rite of passage and has changed me forever. Ocean Langenmayr
Thank you for this experience in West Africa. This is a opportunity of a lifetime for the group and I learned a lot on this trip. Orion Langenmayr
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to travel to West Africa. While in Africa, it has changed my life. Looking at the kids who don’t have food, water and clothes or who don’t have nice things. After I saw this, I was down because when they saw us with nice things they looked sad but when we gave them school supplies, they were happy. Tajae Medley
Goree Island
The island of Gorée lies off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar. From the 15th to the 19th century, it was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast. Ruled in succession by the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French, its architecture is characterized by the contrast between the grim slave-quarters and the elegant houses of the slave traders. Today it continues to serve as a reminder of human exploitation and as a sanctuary for reconciliation. The Island of Gorée testifies to an unprecedented human experience in the history of humanity. Indeed, for the universal conscience, this “memory island” is the symbol of the slave trade with its cortege of suffering, tears and death. The painful memories of the Atlantic slave trade are crystallized in this small island of 28 hectares lying 3.5 km off the coast from Dakar.The Island of Gorée is now a pilgrimage destination for the African diaspora, a foyer for contact between the West and Africa, and a space for exchange and dialogue between cultures through the confrontation of ideals of reconciliation and forgiveness.
House of Slaves
The house of slaves was built in 1776. Built by the Dutch -it is the last slave house to date in Goree, the first ones date back to 1536 and were built by Portuguese, the first Europeans to set foot on the Island in 1444. For three and a half centuries, people were tracked, hunted down, ripped out of their native land, like the roots of time. It is on this brutal deportation of millions of black people that most of the New World built its political, economic and social foundations.(UNESCO)
Student Reflections
Goree Island
The most moving part of our visit to Goree Island was The Door of No Return and the slave house. The rooms were so small and there were separate rooms for children, women, and men. During the first few days of this trip, I was extremely home sick. I didn’t think I would pull through without my mom. Now that I look back on that experience, I could not imagine being taken away from my mother forever. The experience has changed me because I’ve become so grateful for having my mother by my side. I will respect my home and my mother more than I ever have. Justyce Fitzgerald
The most moving part of going to Goree Island was The Door of No Return because when I went through that door and came back, I just felt like I just proved that theory wrong. Asantewaa Gordon
To us Goree Island is like visiting Ellis Island in New York. Goree Island is one of the most powerful places to visit. While walking around the island we visited the slave house. The information the tour guide was giving us about the slave house hit me very deep in the heart. He told us how the tiny rooms would hold 15 to 25 people, fully naked with nowhere to go. When I go back to the United States I will share what I have learned with as many people as I can. Robbie Harris
The Door of No Return was an unforgettable experience. We went into the cells of the men, women and even children where 25 people would be held. I think I can speak for most of the students when I say that the most moving part of visiting Goree Island was when we actually went through The Door of No Return and better yet, came back through the Door. Smelanda Jean Baptiste
The most powerful experience in the slave house was going through The Door of No Return. The knowledge that I acquired on the island changed the way I view my rights as an American. Seeing the hundreds of years of history and oppression was eye opening and it altered the way I view the world around me. Ocean Langenmayr
When we went to Goree Island we learned about what the slaves had to go through. The experience changed me by respecting and being grateful for what I have because the slaves had nothing, no house, no family and no chance of getting back. Orion Langenmayr
When I was at The Door of No Return it hit me looking out at the ocean, I was saying to myself I feel bad for all the slaves that die on the way to America and how they are not going to come back. Also Goree Island changed me because to see all the people struggling to make money to support their families. Tajae Medley
The Fulani Village
When we went to the Fulani Village, we met the Chief. The most moving part of this experience was how the chief collected our donations rather than just having us give them to the children. The Chief wanted to make it equal to create unity. He didn’t show favoritism, which is what I admired about him. This experience changed me because I want to work harder to strive for unity like the people in this village. Justyce Fitzgerald
When we went to the Fulani Village, the most moving part for me was the part that when I went to the bathroom and it was not the kind of bathroom I was used to, so I was quite surprised. Asantewaa Gordon
The Fulani Village is home to any people. While observing the village, there was a chance for us to go in to one of the huts and see what it looked like. Many of us Americans would not be able to survive in the huts like Africans because we are used to going to the restroom, being able to wash our bodies, etc. This taught me how to respect life a lot more than what I have been doing. Robbie Harris
At the Fulani Village we met the Chief and the little children. Seeing the huts and how people lived was very educational. Learning the Chief’s principals and views was amazing to see. He doesn’t want the children to be beggars, therefore he took the donations and handed them out evenly, creating a sense of unity and togetherness. Smelanda Jean Baptiste
All people are welcomed to live and thrive as part of the community. Everyone works towards making a stronger while, a stronger village, rather than focusing on taking care of only themselves. If the rest of the world replicated the Fulani Village, all out nations would flourish. Ocean Langenmayr
When we went to the Fulani Village and got to meet the Chief and the children, the most moving part was when we donated candy, shirts, etc. and the Chief was extremely joyful. The most moving part is when I saw Asantewaa interacting with the children and giving them high fives and playing tag. OrionLangenmayr
The Fulani Village was awesome. When we played with the little children that put a smile on my face. The most moving part of the Fulani Village is when we went into the people’s homes. I felt bad; it was hot, small and uncomfortable. I was changed because I want to give back to people who are less fortunate. Tajae Medley
The Ferry Ride
TheBanjultoBarraFerryService is one of the Gambia capital's vital economic lifelines and an essential river crossing to Dakar (Senegal) the north bank wharf town ofBarra.The journey time from the terminal and across the mouth of the Gambia Riverestuary is about 35 minutes, although the wait may take hours, services start from Banjulat 7am and operate until 9pm in the evening.
The Ferry experience was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the experience. When came across to Banjul I was in awe. It was shocking how cramped the ferry was. There were chickens, and trucks and many things people had to sell. The part that moved me was that people had to do this every day just to travel to work in order to support their families. Justyce Fitzgerald
A lot of people were running to catch the ferry then I realized the fact that because we came from the USA and had leisure time and everyone else was running to catch the ferry for work. Asantewaa Gordon
Taking the ferry was a very hectic trip. Over hundreds of people pushing and shoving to make the ferry because the next one would come hours later. In the Gambia they don’t rush anything. They don’t worry about what time it is like Americans do. They get there whatever time they get there. If American can take its time and not rush, life would be so much easier and safer. Robbie Harris
This was the first time I saw cars and trucks get on a boat. I thought to myself, I cannot believe that the citizens go to work every day on the ferry. The patience and determination it takes to do that is unimaginable. I know that I will gain more patience and have a better view of things because people have to wait an hour to get to work. Smelanda Jean Baptiste
The ferry was packed full. People cross from Banjul to Barra everyday for work and school. Some people wait days to get on and every day there are people carrying livestock and driving trucks on. Hundreds of people travel on the ferry every day. Having the ferry is your only way to get to work or school can be extremely stressful. Ocean Langenmayr
The Ferry ride took 1 hour and 30 minutes to get from point A to point B. People who go on the ferry everyday carry with them luggage that weighs 50-100 pounds. That was the most moving part of it. Now I am grateful we have cars, trains and other transportation. I would make the ferry bigger so that more people can get on and also make a bridge that cars can go on. Orion Langenmayr
The most moving part of the ferry was when I saw kids carrying bags of vegetables, fruits and salt. I said to myself, I can’t do that every single day of the year. The ferry changed me because I am grateful for not having to work and for having a car. Tajae Medley
The Village of Juffure
The small Gambian village ofJuffurebecame famous in the 1970s following the television release of the bestselling book, "Roots", written by the African-American author Alex Haley, a descendant of Kunta Kinte. The series told the story of Kunta Kinte's capture in Juffure by slave traders and his subsequent enslavement in America round 200 years ago.
At the Village of Juffure we met the descendants of Kunta Kinte and we went to St. James Island and saw the ruins of an ole slave house. When I met Kunta Kinte’sdecedents I was moved because I felt so honored to be in the presence of the relatives of someone who was such a strong man and a leader. Justyce Fitzgerald
When we went to Juffure and Saint James Island I was astonished because I was in Kunta Kinte’s land and I was walking where free people were captured and taken as slaves. Asantewaa Gordon
While in Juffure we learned about the descendants of Kunta Kinte and how Alex Haley discovered they were relatives and what type of life they had. On Saint James Island we learned that it was best to keep slaves on an island so if the slaves tried to run away they would have to travel by ocean and get eaten by sharks and not see freedom. Robbie Harris
The ruins on Saint James Island had a kind of eerie sense to it. The whole island was empty and the ruins so small. I was shocked by the small and cramped space that the slaves were kept in. I thought, I wonder how the slaves must have felt while being inside, not knowing what will happen to them. Smelanda Jean Baptiste
Saint James Island was a holding place for slaves before they were taken on the ships. This island has been recently renamed Kunta Kinte Island because he was amongst thousands of others sold into slavery. At Juffure we learned about the story of Kunta Kinte and met a woman who is a eighth generation relative of his. Ocean Langenmayr
At Juffure we met the 8th generation of Kunta Kinte and heard about this story. Kunta was given a name Toby from his slave master and he refused to say it. The reason the slave master was forcing him to take the names was to destroy any connection to his culture or his family. Orion Langenmayr
The most moving part of visiting Saint James Island and the Juffure was when Mr. Bass was talking about black and white people being one race. When I get back home I am going to tell everyone about Saint James Island and how I met Alex Haley distant cousin. I want to help rebuild St. James Island and give food, water and housing to the village. Tajae Medley
Crocodile Pool
We were able to see and touch the crocodiles in the Gambia.
While visiting, the Albino Crocodile came out of hiding.
This has not happened for 15 years! We were told our presence brought her out. We had visited them before
Community Service
One Community Service Idea I have that we can do in the United State is to have a can and bottle drive at our schools and send the proceeds to a Fulani Village or to the Village of Juffure. Also, an idea could be that in fashion design classes, students create clothing and sell them. The profits would go to a school on Goree Island. Justyce Fitzgerald
A community service project I would like to see is that we gather donations of notebooks, pen, pencils and other school supplies to donate to schools or villages that need help. When we do community service we gain powerful connections and create a foundation to help other people around the world. Asantewaa Gordon
Three community service projects that I would suggest are; start a foundation to purchase clothing fabric and make clothing for the people in Africa; give extra school supplies not being used anymore to the children at the schools; gather a team and help clean the streets and fix the buildings.Robbie Harris
I believe that community service is a nice thing to do. A way of doing this would be to collect empty bottles and send them to the people. I learned that some of the people use bottles for drinking glass, art and to recycle. Also donating books and toys. There are a lot of children that play soccer and can use some soccer balls.Smelanda Jean Baptiste