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TESTIMONIALS
1/17/03
Tenafly Middle School sits a few
blocks from the main street of that suburban New Jersey
town not far from New York City. In the context of global
awareness and student initiative, however, this school is
on the mountain top - an example to others who believe that
American kids can contribute to harmony among the world's
people.
Is this too grand a claim to make? Over
the past five years, motivated, energetic students inspired
by a gifted teacher and encouraged by a principal with extraordinary
vision have combined to produce a service learning model
second to none. Mark Hyman is a language arts teacher with
an innate comprehension of how youngsters communicate. Directing
his students' view beyond the limits of town and country,
he has introduced them to the difficult life kids face in
Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Nicaragua. He traveled to the
latter country himself to see in person the effects of landmines
and unexploded ordnance on children the age of those he
teaches. The trip confirmed him in his commitment to the
concept of global involvement.
About five years ago a group of Hyman's
students, after learning about the global landmine problem
from survivor Ken Rutherford, convinced their teacher that
this is a cause worth pursuing. What began as an after school
club, grew beyond the school and soon involved the town
and led to the establishment of a non-profit corporation,
Global Care Unlimited that included on its Board of Directors
community leaders, parents and students.
In order to raise funds to assist in
the demining of a village in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the students
researched the issue, produced video and print material
for classroom use, went on public speaking missions throughout
the town and eventually promoted and sponsored a conference
for students throughout Bergen County. Because Mark's efforts
had come to the attention of the two offices in the U.S.
State Department that promote mine action efforts, he received
both financial and personnel support for the conference.
One result was a teacher's guide explaining how others might
harness student enthusiasm for the cause.
How successful were these efforts? The
initial fund raising effort to assist the people in Bosnia
brought in about $15,000 - an impressive total. During their
campaign, they learned the project would be eligible for
matching funds from the U.S. government that would be contributed
to the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims
Assistance administered by the government of Slovenia. Doubled
through this process, the Global Care Unlimited contribution
reached $30,000 and funds continued to come in.
Hyman and his kids looked for other opportunities.
They were able to link up with filmmaker Bob Altman (Hallmark
Entertainment), who was developing a series on children
caught up in war in different parts of the world. His film
on Nicaragua focused on landmines and the effect of a landmine
accident on a young girl and her family. At about the same
time, Mark met a contact in the Organization of American
States, Bill McDonough, who was overseeing projects in Central
America. It all came together and moved Mark to travel to
Nicaragua during 2002. He brought back pictures, memories
and renewed commitment to mine action. He wrote about his
experience for the Journal of Mine Action, published by
the Mine Action Information Center at James Madison University
in its latest issue on line at www.maic.jmu.edu/journal.
The Journal is a highly regarded thrice-yearly publication
that explores all aspects of mine action around the world.
The goals Mark Hyman has achieved with
his students are important, but no less so than the prospect
of what these kids will do as they continue their education
and more to adult responsibilities. They will not be bystanders.
Already they have reached deep into their own experience
to connect with and help people they may never meet, but
with whom they have developed an unbreakable bond. Thanks
to a teacher they will never forget. They have made their
experience and work available to others looking to demonstrate
that there resides within Americans a strong desire to reach
out to the less fortunate.
Mark Hyman has been the catalyst here
- a very active one - committed to the development of his
students and those they touch. (He has also traveled on
behalf of the State Department to share his experience and
expertise with teachers and others hoping to develop effective
service learning projects.) Check out the GCU web site to
find out ways that exist to extend a hand to others across
the oceans. GCU is a prototype organization and it can serve
as an example for other projects in a variety of areas.
It just takes a great teacher, motivated kids and a supportive
community.
Dave Rabadan
Action Officer, Education and Outreach
U.S. Department of State
Office of Mine Action Initiatives and Partnerships
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