African Studies is a hands-on overseas training program, in which students learn about poverty and human rights in developing countries. This year, thirteen 12th graders took part in the sixth training program, which was held for 11 days, from July 25th to August 4th.
After two days, the students arrived in Botswana. They stayed at the Maru-a-Plua School, a sister school of Tamagawa Academy, and after a full day of rest, they visited Moshaneng Village, on July 28th.
Their purpose for visiting was to deliver relief supplies to villagers who could not receive welfare aid from the government. They boarded a bus, and left Gaborone, the capital of Botswana on a two and a half hour ride to Moshaneng Village. Along the way, the students were greeted and surrounded by children, who seemed to come out from nowhere. It was at this very moment of looking into the childrens` shiny eyes, and listening to them begging for toys and sweets, when the students realized the gap between the rich and poor.
On the 29th, the students visited the JICA/JOCV Botswana Office in the morning and heard lectures by Mr. Hoshino, the Resident Representative, and Mr. Kuroki, a volunteer coordinator. Mr. Hoshino talked about Botswana`s history, industries and problems and Mr. Kuroki explained JOCV’s activities. In the afternoon the students visited a JOCV work site and were impressed with the Japanese workers` life in a foreign country.
On the 30th, the students were introduced at the morning assembly at the Maru-a-Plua School. After all the students sang a song, Arai hosted the presentation meeting, where Kamei delivered a presentation on “JICA’s activities.” They received a big applause at the end.
In the second period, the Tamagawa students gave their presentations to the 32 local students and their teacher (Gail). Each student gave a presentation in English and talked about the current situation in Japan on themes which were designated by Tamagawa Academy`s SGH program. The theme list included poverty, human rights, the environment, and diplomacy and international cooperation.
On the 31st, the students visited St. Cyprian’s School, which along with Tamagawa Academy, is a member of the “Round Square” international community of schools, and gave a presentation during lunchtime.
The students also visited a township where black people were forced to live in racially segregated areas during the apartheid era. They looked around Robben Island where Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, had been imprisoned. Being there was deeply moving for all the students and it was easy for them to understand Mandela`s experience there.
Throughout their travels no one got sick or injured, and the students had a fulfilling hands-on training experience that forever changed their image of Africa.