Soup for travel or travel for soup – it goes either way for the students at The Education Centre who are trying to raise funds for an educational trip to Ghana.

The students and teachers are holding a Soup and Bun Fundraiser and people can either drop in for the soup or the students will drop the soup off to you, depending on the size of the order.

The Education Centre (TEC) is hoping to send eight students and three staff members to the West African nation to have a hands-on learning experience and learn about the country's connection to Bermuda.

TEC headmaster Declan Harris said: "During the planning phases of our school trip, Ghana quickly became the destination for our students.

"The questions were asked included 'where do our students need to visit?' and 'where can they get the most enriching experience?'.

"Millions of Africans passed through the ports of Ghana on their way to plantations in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean.

"Ghana wants its descendants to come back, and is trying to persuade them to think of Africa as their homeland – to visit and send their children to be educated. Ghana's current tourism minister says 'we want Africans everywhere to see Ghana as their gateway home. We hope we can bring the African family back together again'."

Since gaining its independence from British rule in 1957, Ghana has become a popular travel destination for people of African descent due to its rich culture and the history of slavery.

"Ghana has preserved dozens of slave forts," Mr. Harris explained.

"At El Mina Castle, near the Cape Coast, visitors are guided through a suffocating, dimly lit dungeon to the 'door of no return', through which slave ships destined for the Americas loaded their human cargo centuries ago."

In 2006, TEC took a similar trip to Cuba with seven students.

"Our students were exposed to a lifestyle and culture they'd never imagined," he said.

"That trip incited deep change in many of the students and in fact, three of those students passed their GED soon after the trip.

"Two of those students have embarked on a life journey overseas, to pursue a higher education. One of those students is at the Bermuda College, and represents the Bermuda National Boxing Team throughout the Caribbean.

"This same young man, Nikki Bascome, was able to completely change his perspective on life, the importance of education, and the value of being a good citizen through his experiences in Cuba.

"He was also named a 2007 'Student of Excellence' by the Ministry of Education, and received a full scholarship to Bermuda College."

Mr. Harris said that this level of success was rare at TEC. "But with your help, we can repeat this great story," said the principal.

"We believe that the benefits of travelling and having experiences outside of Bermuda are substantial, and do have the power to change lives. This trip to Ghana, we believe, will change lives."

There are a few ways in which people can help the students, said Mr. Harris.

"You can sponsor one student for the cost of the entire trip, or by make a donation towards the group's overall expenses," he said.

"We estimate that airline tickets and ground transportation for this trip will cost around $3,500 per person, and we will organise a number of fundraisers including the soup day, bake sales, car washes, and pledge sheets/punch cards in order to offset the costs of hotels and food during the trip.

"We are asking for help with the cost of travel only, and appreciate whatever you can offer us."

So tomorrow, the TEC students will be having a Soup and Bun Fundraiser and they will be serving from 11.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

TEC teacher Lucinda Worrell-Stowe explained that the soups that she will have on offer include 100 percent vegetable soup, barley and chicken vegetable soup, green pea soup with chicken and pumpkin soup.

The dinner roll selection is white, whole wheat or multigrain. The donation is $7.

People can e-mail their orders and the TEC will deliver to people ordering four or more soups from one location.

If you cannot make the Soup Day contact the school at 296-9759 or 296-9761 or e-mail dharris@moed.bm or lucindaenergy@ibl.bm.