Twenty-eight members of St. Croix Central High School’s Anthropology Club are halfway through a two-week tour of Ghana right now.

The Ghana visit—organized by the school’s Anthropology Club advisor Duane Howell and the students—is a two-fold educational experience where students will have an opportunity to trace their ancestry back to families or tribes in Ghana (since many former slaves came to the Virgin Islands from Western Africa) and compare life in the West African nation to that on St. Croix.

“It is gratifying to witness the initiative, energy and enthusiasm displayed by Central High School’s Anthropology Club members as they organized and prepared for their journey to Ghana," Education Commissioner LaVerne Terry said in a statement.

The CHS Anthropology Club spent several months hosting fundraising events—like concerts, walk-a-thons and Saturday car washes—toward raising funds for the educational tour. They also solicited community support to make the excursion a reality.

"This is commendable and impressive," Terry said. "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, "Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it."

Not only will these students return with fond memories of their experience on the African continent, Terry said, "but the means they implemented to get there will remain an important factor that will shape them into independent young men and women who will make indelible contributions to their community."

The group returns home May 11.

“May this soul-searching, fact finding expedition to the motherland Africa be a rewarding educational and life experience for our students. We wish the students, Club advisor and other chaperones godspeed on this journey and a safe return home,” Terry concluded.