Kazi Birthright Tour
About The Kazi za Wahenga Birthright Tour
Many youth and young adults of African descent are disconnected from their roots and African heritage. Pan-African activist, journalist, and entrepreneur Marcus Garvey once stated, “a people without knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” Without a thorough understanding of one’s history, it becomes difficult for a people to know and ascertain their own strengths and greatness and its relation to those who have paved the way before them. Additionally, many youth have never traveled outside their hometown or local cities to experience different cultures and backgrounds. Research has shown that African Americans are much less likely to have ever traveled abroad (49%) than White (75%) or Hispanic Americans (73%).
Many African-American families do not have the income to travel abroad. Of all Americans, almost half (48%) of those earning less than $30,000 a year have not left the country, compared with 28% of those who earn between $30,000 and $79,999 a year and 10% of those earning $80,000 or more.
Today, one in three jobs are tied to international trade; yet, according to a study by the US Committee on Economic Development, eighty percent of American executives said they lost business because too few employees could work across cultures. This program will help provide an educational experience that will prepare them to enter the workforce ready to interact with people with differing backgrounds.
Kazi Za Wahenga (“Work of the Ancestors” in Swahili) Kazi Tours is a comprehensive birthright program linking education, international travel, language and culture for the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland Metropolitan area youth and young adults of African descent between the ages of 14-19. Kazi Tours’ mission is to equip youth and young adults with a cultural travel experience and language immersion that will build not only a knowledge of self and cultural pride but also provide life and work skills that will make them competitive in an ever-growing global marketplace.
Why Kazi za Wahenga?
“Education in Real Time”
Receive a tour that you can connect with that will teach you more about the history, culture and advancement of people of African descent.
“Language Immersion”
Prepare to speak and understand the locals of Zanzibar by enrolling in our Swahili classes two months before your first trip. You can also continue these classes upon your return, if you so choose.
“DNA Ancestry”
No need to wonder where you are from. Each participant selected will receive a free DNA Ancestry Kit from African Ancestry to trace their lineage down to their specific ethnic group.
“Building Relationships”
This experience will help each participant expand their network and forge amazing relationships with not only their fellow participants but also the staff and locals from their destination.
