For most people, a family vacation means Disney World,
Israel, or lying in the sun on a faraway beach. But Ghana?
 |
| The Robbins family with the village chief who had blessed Maya |
The Robbins family – whose daughters Arianna and Maya are in
the Golda Och Academy 10th and 6th grades respectively – travelled
to Ghana, Africa during Presidents’ Week. And this was not a leisurely break from work and school. The
Robbins family went on a mission to build a school in a village that is home to
child slaves of the fishing trade – child slaves the Robbins family helped
free.
“In exchange for releasing the trafficked children they
would get a school,” said GOA parent Lisa Robbins of the deal made with fishermen
in the village of Awate-Tornu. During the past six years the family, along with
Mr. Robbins’ students at Metuchen High School, have raised over $75,000, allowing
freedom for more than 30 children. A recent article in the NJ Jewish News
featured their story.
 |
| Maya with new friends at a school where a formerly trafficked child attended. |
Although the mark the Robbins family has left on these
children and their families is priceless, an great impact has been made on Arianna
and Maya as well.
“I feel it’s been good for them to see us embrace something
that isn’t just a part of our lives,” Mrs. Robbins said. For Maya, the work for
the children of Ghana has also been part of her bat mitzvah project. She
collected soccer and school supplies from other GOA students and her soccer
team to donate to the newly freed slaves.
She recalled one boy in particular – Joshua – who the family
was unable to rescue during a previous visit. He is now free. “I was playing
soccer with him, and he was so happy to have a soccer ball,” Maya said. “All
the other kids kept asking him if they could play. The kids in Ghana are so
poor. They have to do a lot of work. I feel luckier now at home.”
 |
| Arianna with Bernice, who was freed about a year ago as part of the arrangement with the school project. |
When the village chief who oversees the region realized the
significance of Maya’s bat mitzvah, she was made an honorary “queen mother” of
the village. “They put clothes and jewelry on me,” Maya said. “I was given the
name ‘Mama Divaketa’ which means ‘mother of development.’” The Robbins, along
with their friends who went along on the trip, said Shehecheyanu
as the villagers sang and danced.
“That day was unbelievable,” Mrs. Robbins said.
Although she does not like being the center of attention, Maya
said she is proud she could be a part of the work her family has done for the
Ghana children. “It’s good to help other people,” she said. “It’s important
that all kids go to school.”
One of Arianna’s favorite memories of the trip to Ghana also
involves Joshua. “Knowing that my family started all this makes it more
meaningful,” Arianna said. “Seeing Joshua in real life, and when he jumped into
my dad’s arms, it was so emotional. I really look up to my dad. It’s just an
amazing cause.”
 |
| The Robbins family with Joshua. |
She agrees with her sister that seeing the children in Ghana
first-hand makes her appreciate her life in the United States much more than
before.
“When I came back and people were complaining about the
littlest things, I thought about my trip and got frustrated,” she said. “It’s
very important for people to know what’s going on in the world.”
Arianna said she never thought her family could have such an
impact on the trafficking problem in Ghana. The school the family helped fund
will be used for children as well as the fishermen who oftentimes were trafficked
themselves as children. Through education, the Robbins family hopes to end the
cycle of child slavery.
“I never thought when we started this that we’d get this
far,” Arianna said. “If you want to change something and are really interested
in it, go for it.”
