Seventh graders explored the power of identity, community, and service when Nana Eyeson P’31 visited the Middle School to share the story behind her nonprofit, African Health, and her commitment to supporting others in Ghana.
“Nana shared the importance of community and finding people who share similar values to belong and feel seen,” explained 7th Grade English/History Teacher Ms. Pooja Patel P’36, who facilitated the opportunity with 7th Grade Dean Mr. Matthew Schade and 7th Grade English Teacher Ms. Miriam Butterman. Ms. Patel added, “She also emphasized finding passions aligned with each individual’s values, interests, and priorities.”
Nana’s first mission was to help her father, and through this act of love, she was inspired to use her expertise in marketing and PR to support others in Ghana.
“She showed the 7th graders that service begins with a deep introspection into who each of us is and the community in which we reside,” said Ms. Patel. “She underscored that action starts small, and we are not meant to fix the world’s problems, but we can certainly help one person and change one life—that is how service begins.”
The goal is for students to be inspired to develop their own action plans for a small thing they can do to effect change about something that is important to them. This aligns nicely with the broader D-E mission to “make it better”!