Geography is one of those subjects where first-hand experience can eb difficult to incorporate into the learning process. Tactile learners can miss out because relocating to areas of study is just not feasible.
So Edward Lipke, seventh grade teacher at Sashabaw Middle School, brought the experience to his Eastern Global Studies students.
On Dec. 13, Sharon Saleski visited students to share her experiences from a trip to The Congo in 1991.
‘Overall, the class benefitted from hearing firsthand accounts to go along with her beautiful pictures,? Lipke wrote in an e-mail to The Clarkston News.
Lipke also wrote that students commented about enjoying the presentation which acted as a booster to students working on researching topics.
Saleski greeted students with ‘Jambo,? the ‘hello? she grew accustomed to hearing on her trip. She then shared stories and photos, via slide show, illustrating the people, environment and culture.
The first thing Saleksi talked about was her arrival, and the differences in the hotel where she stayed. Saleski said she and others really wanted ice, but the power was out; and unlike back home, getting the electric turned back on was not a high priority. Likewise, the hotel offered laundry service, but not what one might expect.
‘I saw someone cleaning my cloths with a rock in the river,? Saleski said. ‘They came back pretty clean.?
One major highlight of the trip for Saleski was seeing gorillas and chimpanzees in their natural environment. Saleski showed multiple pictures from her interaction with the animals, which she described as being gentle.
‘They spent most of their day eating and that’s about it,’she said. ‘They were very playful.?
Sadly, Saleski said some of the animals were now dead or missing limbs because of poachers.
Having such an experience required hard work though. The journey to see the gorillas required climbing a mountain, and there was no roadside assistance when the groups? truck broke down on the mountainside.
‘They were able to fix whatever was wrong with a twig,? Saleski said.
Saleski also shared the scariest moment of her journey. Near the border of Burundi, Saleski and her group were held up by thieves with machine guns.
‘They wanted money, so we gave them money and they let us go,? Saleski said, who added that with no police around, she felt helpless.
After her presentation, Saleski answered students questions and showed artifacts and art work she had brought home from her journey.
Despite the nerve-wracking event near the border, Saleski had mostly positive things to say about her journey, and said she hopes to go back.