On February 3, 2006, Ambassador Jalang’o held a unique three hour seminar for 175 grade 8 students at Dryden Middle School, in Tompkins County of upstate New York. This extraordinary session was requested by “Bwana” Ted Walsh (“Mr.” in Kiswahili – the lingua franca spoken by 170 million people in Eastern Africa and Great Lakes region), the Principal of the school who wanted a “cost effective but special program” on Africa for his students before they graduate to high school. The hands on lecture supported by high precision power point presentations and group activities by teams adorning famous African animal names covered:

• Africa’s National anthem and Poems by Africans
• Stereotypes on Africa
• Egyptian ancient civilization
• Diversity of Africa’s culture, traditions, beliefs and life styles in both rural and urban communities
• Africa’s art and music, including live West African dance performed by a group of local dancers and drummers. The students were invited on stage to be taught African body rhythms and motions. As they raised their hands back and forth, rolled their heads and gyrated their bodies to the sound of the drummers, the audience burst in applause and excitement.
• Group activities – Buffalo team was the winner