From Canyon to Cape Town: WT Students Create Change Abroad

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CANYON, Texas—West Texas A&M University students and professors journeyed to Cape Town, South Africa, to grow both literacy and life-sustaining produce.

Sixteen students took part in a Study Abroad trip with Dr. Enyonam Osei-Hwere, associate professor of media communication in the Department of Communication in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, and Dr. Brock Blaser, WT’s Vernon Harman Professor of Dryland Farming and assistant dean of academic programs for the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.

“When Dr. Osei-Hwere first approached me about this years ago, I just said, ‘I’ll go, but I don’t just want to be a tourist. I want us to do something,’” Blaser said.

While in South Africa, the students planted fruits and vegetables in a new community garden that they built in Simondium. They also took part in more than 15 cultural tours, some in collaboration with Stellenbosch University. During these tours, they visited the Welgevallen Citrus Orchards, the HortiDemoCentre at the Welgevallen Experimental Farm, and the university’s cellar, where grapes are stored and wine is made.

“South Africa is a leading exporter of citrus globally, including to the United States,” Osei-Hwere said. “We learned about citrus grafting, citrus farming, global citrus markets, and the science behind citrus farming and disease prevention.”

The group took 900 children’s books filled with messages of hope to give to in-need children at six primary schools in marginalized communities. Most of these books were purchased by Osei-Hwere, and some were donated by The Leaders Readers Network.

“Those kids don’t have access to books or even own any book,” Osei-Hwere said. “So, to be able to gift them books with characters and stories that they can relate to as South African kids who don’t have much, is probably my most appreciated component of the trip.”

On each of the five study abroad programs Osei-Hwere has led to South Africa, she has included a literacy component. In addition to the benefit of increasing literacy, Osei-Hwere pointed to the importance of the stories they told and the characters included.

“I believe that representation matters,” Osei-Hwere said. “When kids see people who look like them and people who are highly accomplished who look like them, it gives them hope. It gives them reasons to work hard and to attain whatever they want to be.”

The children were also gifted bookmarks designed by juveniles at the Youth Center of the High Plains Detention Center.

The trip took place between Sept. 21 and Oct. 5. Osei-Hwere first led a service-based study abroad program to South Africa in 2018.

“It’s not about getting on a plane and going somewhere,” Osei-Hwere said. “It’s more about finding purpose in your existence as a human being and understanding that your existence is not just about you; it’s about other people, too.”

Students in the study abroad program expressed interest in the service experience they gained.

“The last school we stopped at was a part of a women’s shelter, and it definitely encouraged me to want to volunteer at our local women’s shelter,” said Jolie Bond, a master’s student in agriculture from Rocky Ford, Colorado. “I’m on the hunt to do something similar down here, but that mission put a lot into perspective.”

“I learned a lot about how different everyone in the world is, and how grateful we can actually be here in America,” said Sayer Bledsoe, a sophomore digital communication and media major from Wildorado.

Other participating students included Ella Barkley, a sophomore social work major from Lubbock; Raul Cadena, a junior general business major from Dimmitt; Delaney Draegert, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Brush, Colorado; Samantha Gonzalez, a senior psychology major from Spearman; Ashlyn Harvell, a junior digital communication and media major from Canyon; Kaylee Hock, a senior animal science major from Pine, Colorado; Landon Langenbau, a senior plant, soil, and environmental science major from Arp; Madyson McAshlan, a sophomore agricultural media and communication major from Santa Fe; Hazel McKenzie McCormick, a junior agricultural media and communication major from Canyon; Adyson Murdock-Poff, a senior plant, soil and environmental science major from Moriarty, New Mexico; Campbell Offield, a senior agriculture education major from Plainview; McKenzie Riddle, a junior agriculture education major from Trinidad, Colorado; Brady Wilson, a senior agricultural media and communication major from New Waverly; and Lauren Zuniga, a junior marketing major from Amarillo.

Making an impact throughout the region and beyond are key components of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign has raised more than $175 million and will continue through 2025.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University students provided books to young students in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on a recent Study Abroad trip.

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