Webster Mass Blog

Last Wednesday, I was at the Woodstock Elementary School in Woodstock, Connecticut on the invitation of Ms Mary Roccisano, a grade two teacher of the school. The past two weeks had been set aside by the school administration for the students to study about other people and cultures.

Mrs Roccisano's class had already learned about Ghana as could be seen in their class. There were flags of other countries, including one big one from Ghana. The students, in their research, have written a good report about Ghana, with a map showing where Ghana is on the continent of Africa.

My one hour presentation provided the youngsters and their teachers the opportunity to experience some more "African stuff" and also ask questions about what they have read in their research and heard from me. In addition to some few minutes of a video presentation on Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the students got to see some native sandals worn by both men and women, different types of men's cloths worn on special occasions, locally-made women's jewellery, the game of "Oware" and some pictures showing scenes in Ghana. They also learned how to say "Good Morning" - Maakye and "My name is" - Me din de... in the Asante Twi language.

The highlight of the presentation was when I took off my jacket, but with my shirt and pants still on, put on one of the men's cloths and a pair of native sandals, and tried to walk accross the room to demonstrate how it is done in Ghana. I told the kids that when men wear the cloth in Ghana, they normally don't have shirts or long pants on like mine. Please, watch out for the pictures taken by Ms Roccisano and me soon!

I congratulate Mrs Roccisano and her supporting staff, and the principal and his administartion for exposing their young students to people and countries other than their own here in the United States!