By Margaret Schell

T hree Georgia College & State University sophomore, pre-education majors explored the culture and geography of one of Africa’s most culturally diverse nations through GCSU Tanzania: Disability and Culture Study Abroad program July 6 – 22. All students are from Georgia: Madelyn Bynum of Sharpsburg, Sara Hamfeldt of Kennesaw, and Ellison Whetzel of Madison.

The students assisted and observed Maasai students with disabilities at five schools and community centers while experiencing life with the Maasai and learning about their interpretation of disabilities. 

They also went on bush walks and a safari, including a wild game drive. They even had a few lessons in Swahili — the local language. 

At the public schools, it’s common to have a class size of 60 with one teacher. 

“I helped two young boys with math at two schools” Hamfeldt said. “It seems small, but to the teachers, it allowed them to give more attention to other students.” 

“If you’re a struggling student, there's no one to support you,” said Dr. Nicole DeClouette, professor of Special Education at Georgia College. “For students with a vision problem, we tend to see a lot of dropouts because they can't see the board. There are no glasses for them.” 

In the village, Georgia College students visited with students with disabilities who don’t go to public schools. Instead, they attend “pocket” schools where a mother starts one and teaches elementary-age to 30-year-old students. 

“Young children learn through play,” DeClouette said. “Sometimes they have different ideas about playing and working at school. So, we offer them educational manipulatives to learn from.”

DeClouette and her students brought STEM toys, art supplies, sewing kits, sorting cubes, a VELCRO® toss-and-catch game and Rubik’s Cube for classes. 

Residents live in bomas — circular structures where their animals live in the center for protection. The students went inside a boma to see how villagers live and what their bedding looked like. 

Maasai are friendly: If they cross paths with people, they make time to meet with them. 

“That interaction is so important to them,” DeClouette said. “It may mean you get to your 2 p.m. meeting at 2:15 p.m. But that's okay, because they value being present while in the presence of others. I instill that in our students too.” 

“This study abroad program taught me to stop being in a rush all the time,” Hamfeldt said. “I try to slow down and have intentional, meaningful conversations with people.”

Georgia College students learned about a culturally different way of life. 

“This experience may benefit our students when they become teachers, working with students and families who are not from the U.S.,” DeClouette said. 

“I hope our students gain empathy, understanding and activism,” she said. “I also want them to find a position in life, education, work, health, music and the arts.”

Each night, the three students participated in reflection sessions at dinner.

For Whetzel, an overarching theme of the Tanzania Study Abroad Program is resourcefulness. 

“Teachers made their own manipulatives and tools for their students to use,” she said. "I’m inspired how people can take what they have access to and create something they don’t. Seeing this solidified my desire to teach STEM, as I want to show my future students the importance of resourcefulness and creativity.”

Hamfeldt thought it was “incredible” seeing the students happy to see them. They also enjoyed the new learning supplies.

“Knowing the students now have more educational materials is super exciting for me because they can learn more and maybe even broaden their curriculum,” Hamfeldt said.

Whetzel discovered her purpose from this study abroad program.

“I had so many wonderful opportunities to show people I cared about them,” she said. “Whether it’s playing at recess, grading papers, helping with math or giving high fives and hugs, the most important thing I can do for others is to make it known they are loved.”

Header Image: Sara Hamfeldt (center) and Ellison Whetzel (right) hold children at Mama Anna's Pocket School. (Photo: Nicole DeClouette)