Journey to the Land of my Ancestors in Baltimore Dec 12, 2011 12:00 AM

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Akwaaba! (Welcome) Greetings!

My name is Jeremiah Thompson and I am a 2nd year student at The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) with plans of transferring and studying Industrial Design. This fall I became a Jegna, or adult facilitator with a non-profit organization known as HABESHA. HABESHA, which stands for "Helping Africa By Building Schools at Home and Abroad", functions through three programs,The Black to Our Roots, Sustainable Seeds and The Griot's Eye.

I currently serve as a Jegna with the Black to Our Roots program. The Black to Our Roots program is a African-centered program that focuses on cultural education, media production and community service to help youth become productive and positive community members. The youth are given an African-centered curriculum and utilize leadership and entrepreneurship skills in order to raise money to support a month long travel-study to the nations of Ghana and Ethiopia in the summer of 2012. As a Jegna I must also raise the necessary funds to cover the cost of the journey. The total amount that must be raised is $4000 and this covers airfare, room/board, transportation, and food. I am currently making use of various fundraising strategies, and this support letter is one of them! I am kindly asking for your support in the form of making a financial contribution towards my travels; whether its $1 or $100, will put me that much closer to achieving this goal.With your support I will be able to accompany the HABESHA youth on this journey of growth and self-discovery. Through this trip I will be given the opportunity to learn about the history of my people through first hand experience, by walking where my ancestors walked and experiencing the culture in the flesh and not through a textbook or museum. One of the biggest criticisms against people born in America is our limited world view because of the fact that we travel less and thus are less tolerant and understanding of people from different cultures. My presence on this trip will allow me to return home from Africa with a broadened world view and a better understanding of people from different cultural backgrounds. This journey will be life changing in many ways and any assistance to help me on this path is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and donation.For more information about HABESHA-Baltimore, or to stay up to date on upcoming events, fundraisers and more, visit http://habeshabmore.org/If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me at: j.thompson2890@gmail.com