Reed Students Raise Awareness Of Refugees In Ghana

By Laurie Borst

Students at Reed Intermediate School know the facts. Buduburam Refugee Camp in Ghana is home to 42,000 Liberian refugees who have fled civil war in their homeland. Thirty thousand of those refugees are women and children. The refugees have an uncertain future, facing serious shortages of food, water, housing, and medicine. Most children do not go to school because it costs money.

The sixth graders in clusters with teachers Karen King and Nancy Handler, Christina Mirow and John Bird, and Susan Devine and Amy Smith have been studying Africa this year. As they delved into the history of the African nations, they learned about refugee camps, focusing on the plight of the Liberian people.

Liberia was carved out of the West African coastline by the American Colonization Society in 1821 and established as a homeland for freed African American slaves. This led to a two-tiered society, with former slaves and their descendents emerging as an elite upper class, until civil war came to the country. Liberia has had a checkered history as it struggled to assimilate two cultures.

Civil war first came to the country in 1989. This First Liberian Civil War lasted until 1996. Peace was short-lived with the Second Liberian Civil War taking place between 1999 and 2003. Since the end of the second war, Liberia has been a hotbed of unrest, resulting in thousands fleeing the country.

During the winter, the students learned about Newtown resident Jennifer Staple and the philanthropic company she founded, Unite for Sight, and the Brick Awards that are presented to such groups.

“Jennifer inspired lots of kids to do things,” said Ms King.

A writing project was begun with the Reed students becoming pen pals with children who attend the refugee school.

The Carolyn A. Miller School in Buduburam Refugee Camp was started by Karrus Hayes, one of Ms Miller’s students, a refugee himself, in a church basement. It is the only free school in Buduburam, serving 400 students.

Through their correspondence, the Reed students learned about the lack of basic supplies, like paper, pens (one to every three students), pencils, and sports and art supplies. The school has a new generator, and limited electricity. They desperately need a copy machine.

As part of their studies, the Reed students were visited by Mr and Mrs Albert Bropleh, Liberians who live locally. The Broplehs spoke to students about their life in Africa, including food, culture, and war. They had been able to attend the inauguration, in November 2005, of the new president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first woman president in Liberia. She campaigned on the hope of rebuilding Liberia, helping refugees in Ghana.

Their studies and letters from pen pals have changed the way the Newtown students think about the world.

“It’s amazing to see how different our world is from theirs,” said Alexa Powell. “My pen pal in the Ghana refugee camp wrote and told me her favorite food is baked beans and rice. She offered to tell me how to make it.” Alexa was touched by the offer.

“We wrote each other about foods, climate, how we live, best friends,” said Kimmy Gates. “They got a generator but can only use it a few hours per day.”

Students related stories from their pen pals. One girl’s mother had died and her dad was still in Liberia. Another described living in one room with one bed that was shared with five others. Yet another wrote about having one book to share to read and one meal per day.

“They make their own soccer balls from balloons covered in leather scraps,” said Danny Bittman.

Inspired by Jennifer Staple, the students decided they could make difference in their correspondents’ lives. The sixth graders first approached the Reed Interact Club for a grant. Students Savier Maimo, Madigan Chrystie, and Kristen Campbell made the presentation to Interact. They received a $500 grant to purchase bracelets wholesale, which they resold at school.

From there, the youngsters found a variety of ways to raise money. Alexa Powell, Jenna Hindes, Caitlin Gibney, Taylor Ann Chiarito, Michelle Green, and Stephanie Roman held bake sale in their neighborhood, which raised $80.

Early in May, Kimmy Gates, Kristin Campbell, Kamryn Harmeling, and Katie McManus raised $265 with lemonade stand over one weekend. They planned to continue selling lemonade on weekends.

“Bracelets for Buduburam” went on sale in mid-May. The slogan the students chose was Wear2Care, Live2Learn. Now, they are learning about persuasive writing. They are asking for any supplies from classmates, friends, family, and businesses. They hope to raise $3,000–$4,000 with which they will purchase pens, pencils, paper, notebooks, gym equipment, and art supplies. They are selling the bracelets for $3 each. They hope to raise money for a copier, also.

Teacher Karen King will visit Buduburam this summer to see how the supplies have been utilized.

The letters the students have written have followed a circuitous route back and forth. Letters had to be hand carried, as Ghana has no organized mail system. Recently, doctors returning from Ghana brought letters with them to a conference. They were met by Jennifer Staple who gave them letters to take to Ghana. Ms Staple got the letters back to Reed.

“We want them to have the chances kids here do,” said Danny Bittman.

For more information about the Liberian refugee crisis, and to view photos, visit Newtown.k12.ct.us/teachers/tpage.php?view=t&pid=2368.