To finish the school year, Dartmouth Middle School sixth-graders read A Long Walk to the Water, a novel by Linda Sue Park that connects two Sudanese people over a 20-year span—and a world traveler brought the book's setting to life for the students on June 21.

To supplement the story, teachers Lisa Katz-Turgeon and Nicole Terceira invited Olivia Decas, daughter of Dean of Students Sarah Decas, to talk to their classes. A soon-to-be senior at Sacred Heart University, Decas recently spent three weeks in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa with two different tribes—the Maasai and the Chaga.

Decas brought in photos to show students, along with traditional clothing for them to try on. The question-and-answer session helped students relate today's Africa with the literature.

Many students looked shocked and horrified as Decas explained that going to the bathroom meant squatting over a pit, and games included throwing rocks at each other.

Schooling is mandatory, but there are no lights, and teachers hit the children with sticks to make them listen, said Decas.

A photo of the Tanzanian classrooms had an impact on student Emma Gonzalves. “It shows how lucky we are because we have single desks that aren't broken," she said.

The students also learned that not all of Africa is dense with wildlife. Decas said that only while on a safari did she get within 50 feet of a lion who was feeding cubs.

Literacy Coach Karen Babbitt said that it was a “serendipitous situation” that Decas returned from her trip a few weeks ago just as the students were finishing their book. Babbitt was also hopeful that the young Decas might inspire some of the students to consider traveling the world when they’re older.

Decas said she loved her experience in Africa. She is now considering a trip to Costa Rica with friends for her next adventure.