Harambee literally means "pulling together" in Swahili, and may range from informal affairs lasting a few hours in which invitations are spread by word of mouth, to formal, multi-day events advertised in newspapers. These events have long been important in parts of East Africa as ways to build and maintain communities.

15 Harambee students, their teacher Jim Flaherty, and their adult chaperones visited main campus, as part of their partnership with OSU's P-12 Project. In addition to P-12 Project representatives Kathleen Cameron and Cynthia Overly, the students were greeted at the Hale Multi-Cultural Center by representatives of the Office of International Affairs and the OSU Global Health Initiative.

Erin Galloway, study abroad program specialist at International Affairs, talked to the children about how college students use study abroad to learn about different cultures. Students were given maps and flags to color with crayons while they considered where they would like to travel now or when they go to college. A world map was placed nearby for reference and discussion. The students also demonstrated, with the aid of Mr. Flaherty, their oral abilities in Mandarin Chinese, which was quite impressive to all in attendance. Galloway also gave them make-shift "passports" in which to write their names, dates of birth, and the name of their school to be used for keeping a list of places they would like to visit or travel to in the future.

Ohio State students Michael Jaung, Diane Haddad and Adrienne Strong from the Global Health Initiative, shared with students basic information about the disparity between global, regional populations and access to adequate health care. International photos depicting global health issues were used as learning tools. The group also took a deeper look at communicable versus non-communicable diseases, and discussed some details about the transmission of malaria.

Assistant Director of the Center for African Studies Laura Joseph gave the third-grade class a lesson on international trade and foreign aid using the example of bananas as a commodity. Students were divided into three groups: banana farmers in Somalia, international shippers working between Somalia and the United States, and sellers in the United States. Working in their groups, students decided what percentage of profits each group trying to get the bananas to the consumer should receive. The group of farmers was especially shocked to learn that despite their hard work, African farmers tend to receive only 5-10% of profits from commodities such as bananas. Students in the other two groups also argued for a more equitable division of profits. Since the class is currently engaged in a social studies unit focused on international economics, this lesson was quite timely.

Students also commemorated Earth Day with an event led by Jane Harrison of Free the Planet on the center of the Oval.

One of the adults who had attended the program along with the children commented that "the ability of the presenters to engage the students was wonderful," and "the presenters immediately captured the students’ attention and held it."

This event was coordinated through a collaboration between the P-12 Project and International Education Outreach arm of the Office of International Affairs. If you are an educator who would like to consider a similar program for your students, please contact Outreach Coordinator Saba Sohail at sohail.6@osu.edu.