Thursday, January 25, 2007 Older Editions

On to Africa

By April Guilmet

While the majority of students at Bancroft Elementary School might never see Africa, nearly all can now say they've helped make a difference there.

During the past month, members of the school's student council collected quarters from their peers - funds that will help buy books, clothing and food for children living in the SOS Children's Village in Gaborone, Bostwana, where one in every six children is an orphan.

On Tuesday, students presented their earnings, totaling $130.25, to Brooks School junior Hannah Nichols, 17. The daughter of Bancroft kindergarten teacher Debbie Nichols and Andover High program adviser for health education and co-athletic director Dave Nichols, Hannah departs for Botswana next week as part of Brooks School's exclusive exchange program. Following a 20-hour flight, she will stay there for seven weeks, attending classes and volunteering at the orphanage.

Nichols said the school she'll be attending in Botswana is known for its community service.

"It's a private school with mostly African students," she said.

Just last year, Botswana was included in Brooks School's exchange program. The school also sends two students each to Scotland, Kenya, Uganda and Hungary each year. Nichols said many of her peers don't apply for the program.

"They don't even try. They're afraid they can't handle the workload," Nichols said.

Since the two classes she's taking in Botswana won't transfer to Brooks, she'll be doing private study to keep up with her studies while she's there.

There are other challenges as well. She said she's also been advised not to eat any food that is uncooked, or drink any water that isn't bottled.

"So far I've had to get five shots. And I have to bring hair conditioner and dental floss - they don't sell it there," Nichols said.

Then there are the trips into town - which are dangerous and not permitted without an adult.

"And it's not uncommon to have an elephant blocking the street," she said.

Still, she said, the trip, which is fully funded by Brooks except for spending money, is a dream come true. "My parents always pushed me to follow my passions. My passion happens to be people," Nichols said. That passion, she said, has led her to spend most of her school vacations volunteering in her mother's kindergarten classroom. She's hasn't ruled out joining the Peace Corps when she graduates next year, either. Nichols said her love of volunteering began in the third grade while attending South Elementary School.

"I was on student council there, and began working at the People's Pantry soup kitchen," Nichols said.

Nichols said she's not afraid of standing out. Which is good, since her bright auburn hair and fair complexion will be a rarity in the African nation.

She said several Africans attending her school have already been fascinated with her "exotic" looks. "The first thing they do is touch my hair. They've never seen a redhead before," Nichols laughed.

Earlier this week she stood before members of Bancroft's student council, thanking them for their efforts. "You help a lot of people through your community service," she told them. She motioned to the screen behind her, where an aerial view of her African school flashed on the screen.

"It's all brown," Nichols said. "Nothing really grows there. But their playing fields are the same as ours."

Student-council adviser Diane Carviello said her students' involvement in the project was impressive. "They come up with fundraising ideas all on their own, they really take responsibility," she said. Last month's quarter collection, for example, was the earnings of two council-sponsored Spirit Days, in which students schoolwide were asked to donate a quarter to wear a New England Patriots shirt to school those days. She said other Spirit Days are currently being planned to raise additional funds for the orphanage.

"I'd also like to do a book drive sometime in the future, too," Carviello said, adding that the book donations could help the African orphans with their English lessons. Posted outside her classroom, a bulletin board will keep the students updated on her daughter's stay in Botswana.

As for Nichols' mother, Debbie, the next seven weeks may be a different kind of lesson, entirely.

"I'll miss the hustle and bustle a 17-year-old brings to one's home," Debbie Nichols said. "But she's so excited about this."

This Sunday, mother and daughter plan on hosting a "Books for Botswana" party at their home, where guests are encouraged to donate their favorite children's books.

For Hannah Nichols, however, it's like her childhood fairy tale has already come true.

"I've always had a fascination with Africa. It's just so amazing I'm actually fulfilling it," she said.