Year of Return: Beyond

Alicia Rivers Start Date: Dec 15, 2019 - End Date: Dec 14, 2020
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Accra, Ghana

My Travel Story

by: Alicia Rivers Start Date: Dec 15, 2019 - End Date: Dec 14, 2020
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
Akwaaba! My name is Alicia Rivers and I am a mother of four beautiful daughters in the United States of America, a fiancee to an amazing Ghanaian, and a 15 year U.S. Marine Corps and Army combat veteran that has served abroad both in Japan and Iraq.  During my time of service and traveling the world, I have unlocked parts of my mind that enabled me to become a Citizen of the Universe.  Being that citizen of the universe, I have studied, planned, proposed, and implemented programs for emerging populations that address their specific needs and enhance student learning. With my experience obtained from the United States, I now perform this globally and need my children with me to experience the world as they are growing through their teenage years.  My entire life has been of service to others, and that service won't allow me to sleep at night if left unfulfilled.  My example of a woman to my children is to BE the CHANGE.  This trip for young diasporians, will give these four teenage girls an opportunity to understand the world from multiple first person experiences with multiple cultures while facing the reality of their culture they have only read about in books, watched movies, or heard stories about.  The girls documenting experiences with other young girls, to other young girls will contribute to young girls viewing themselves from a different, more open perspective.  Everyone is living a learning adventure.  During this transition the girls have been enrolled in homeschool, and developing the ability to correlate what they are learning in school with what is actual reality.  This skillset is necessary in order to manifest your purpose in life.  
    Traveling, I have researched communities across over 40 cities in the USA, 4 regions of Ghana, West Africa and developed a curricula to effectively deliver training based on trends and studies.  This curricula has in 6 years across 18 states reached over 32,000 students with 7 of 10 from underserved populations. Working closely with community leaders, schools, counselors, and non-profit programs to stimulate growth, innovation, and a sense of community as a team was purpose fulfilling. With your help I can continue to travel beyond the borders of the United States to continue the work I am so passionate about.
    This trip is also unique as my fiance, Felix, a Ghanaian with a B.S. Sociology and a gradute degree in Geography in progress.    Felix will use his education and experience working for the government of Ghana to generate innovations to improve upon systems in Ghana and beyond.  Upon completion of our trip he has commited to returning to Ghana and contributing to the advancement of Ghana.  He has goals to do his part in Ghana meeting and exceeding World Bank goals to achieve by 2030: End extreme poverty by decreasing the percentage of people living on less than $1.90 a day to no more than 3% Promote shared prosperity by fostering the income growth of the bottom 40% for every country.
  After settling in Ghana with my family, Felix and I have a complete business plan with workshops created ready to tour Ghana and contribute to bridging the gap in the diaspora through Leadership and Awareness training. With your help my family and I can continue to develep ourselves through direct immersion into new languages, foods, geography, and culture to pay it forward to the next open mind.
  • Accra, Ghana

Updates

2

  • OFFLINE DONATIONS

    OFFLINE DONATIONS
    Greetings!!! Our family would like to thank EVERYONE that provided offline donations!!! The girls have received their iPads, and laptop for school! Thank you to all that have sent in donations through mobile money ie CashApp, MTN, Vodacash!!! You all have been nothing short of a true blessing!!!

  • Beats By Dre

    Beats By Dre
    This is a special thank you to Beats By Dre, as one of the companies employees has donated her personal headphones for our travels! Now I can keep the beats booming in my ears! Peace and love!

    Thanks,
    The Family

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • iPhone 8 Plus

    5

  • GoPro Hero 7 or 8

    2

  • Beats Studio 3

    1
    Chelsea from Dre by Beats
    • Granted

  • Waterproof Backpacks

    6

  • Ipad

    2
    anonymous
    • Granted

  • Airline Miles

    0

  • Beats by Dre

    5

  • Lodging Ghana West Africa

    365
    anonymous
    • Granted