I-EARN Heroes Project

Sixth grade students are participating with students from around the world in an I-EARN project about heroes. Here are comments that students put on the I-EARN Heroes Project website about what they've learned about their African heroes: Isaiah - 11/18/2009 at 7:11:32 AM. My hero is: stephen biko. I just recently did a report on him and he is amazing. he was born on Dec. 18, 1946 in King Williams town, south Africa. he enrolled in medical school and founded the Black Peoples Convention. he was kicked out of medical school when the white members didn't aprove of his actions against apartheid. he was taken into police custody and tortured many times but still kept on fighting. finaly he was taken into custody for the last time. wile he was being interrogated he suffered a blow to the head. after that he was unresponsive and often blacked out. police medical investigators examined him and said he needed to be taken to a hospital. instead he was taken, naked, on a 12 hour car ride to the Pretoria Central Prison where he died about 12 hours later on September 12, 1977. Alex -11/18/2009 at 7:09:11 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a person who fought for what he thought was right. Nelson was born on July 18 1918 in Transkei, South Africa. throughout his life he was in prison for in totle of 27 years for fighting for black African rights. He also won a Nobel prize, and became the first black president of South Africa. Marianne -11/18/2009 at 7:06:09 AM. My hero is: Stephen Biko. Stephen Biko was born on December 18,1946 in Kings William's Town,South Africa. He had three wives and four children. Stephen Biko received an education at the University of Natal and studied madicine. He could speak fluent english. Stephen Biko is considered a hero because he played a big part to help stop apartheid in South Africa. He also started an anti-apartheid movement called the Black Consciousness Movement. Stephen Biko died on September 12,1977 at the age of thirty. More than 10,000 people attended his funeral. He is famous for the saying "black is beautiful." Jack Bu.-11/18/2009 at 7:03:20 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela . Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa on July 18th 1918. His dad was chief of the Tembu tribe.Nelson Mandela went to school at Universitiy College of Fort Hare and the Universitiy of witwatersrand. Nelson won the nobel peace prize in 1993. Jack G.- 11/18/2009 at 7:01:10 AM. My hero is: Stephen Biko. My hero is Stephen Biko. He was born on December 18th 1946, in Eastern Cape, South Africa. He went to school at Lovedale and a boarding school in Natal. He was an only child. He fought for almost his entire life for black rights against Aparthied. He was jailed several times and sadly, on September 12th 1997, he died of severe police beatings. Sarah - 11/18/2009 at 7:00:57 AM. My hero is: nelson mandela. He was born on July 18, 1918 in Transkei.Nelson had been married 3 times and had 6 children 4 girls and 2 boys . Nelson spent almost 27 years in prision befor set free.He spent many years fighting to stop apartheid.Since there many more blacks than whites it was very crule.When apartheid ended Nelson Mandela became president. he did not want to fight he wanted to bring peace.he also tried to help tobring peace to others areas around the world and is always helping others. Neil - 11/18/2009 at 6:59:51 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was born in Trankei,South Africa.He worked to free other peoples rights in a time of struggle.Nelson was the first in his family to attend school.When Nelson got out of school he organized many boycotts.In 1993 he won the Nobel Peace Prize.He was also the first black president.That is my report on my hero. Leah - 11/18/2009 at 6:59:45 AM. My hero is: Queen Nzingha. Queen Nzingha was born in 1582 in Angola and was in the Nbundi tribe, but got captured and brought to Kabasa. Queen Nzingha was known as a hero to a lot of people. she organized a resistance army using mercenaries and Africans the Portugese had trained. She led many battles and peace treaties. She fought for a free and peaceful Angola until she died of age 82 on december 17, 1663. She demonstrated intelliugence, bravery, and is remembered as an Angolan leader who never accepted Potugese authority. Queen Nzingha is a real hero to me. Gillian - 11/18/2009 at 6:58:49 AM. My hero is: Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie was born on july 23, 1892 in Ejarsagoro,Hara,Ethiopia. He was the emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. Haile was exiled in 1936 and then regained his power in 1941. He died on August 27,1975.He was looked up upon because he was a great emperor and modernized ethiopia.He also led the Resistance against the Italian invasion. Haile Selassie is my African hero. Sharon - 11/18/2009 at 6:58:20 AM. My hero is: Constance Baker Motley. Constance was born on September 14, 1921 in New Haven, Connecticut. She graduated from New York University in 1943. She received her law degree in 1946 from Columbia University. She got married to Joel Wilson Motley. She was chosen to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 25, 1966. She became the first African American Women to serve for the Southern District of New York. She died on September 28, 2005, at the age of 84. Caroline - 11/18/2009 at 6:57:14 AM. My hero is: Imhotep. Imhotep was born in 3000 BC. He died in 2950 BC. Imhotep was born in Memphis, Egypt. He was an only child, but he had a mom, dad, and wife (when he was older). His mom's name was Khreduonkh. dad's name was Kanofer, and his wife's name was Ronfrenofert. Imhotep had a liberal education. His accomplishments were that he invented the pyramid, author of ancient wisdom, architect, high priest, physician, astronomer, and writer. Jake - 11/18/2009 at 6:56:55 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a very great man. He was the first black president of South Afirca. He is a truely amazing man. He freed South Afirca from the terrible times of the Apartheid. Nelson Mandela added up went to jail for 27 years! Just for the freedom of his people. I don't tink anyone would do that for his people. He did though. I think everyone should call him a hero or even more than that. Meredith - 11/18/2009 at 6:56:25 AM. My hero is: Stephen Biko. Stephen Biko was an activist. Stephen Biko was born on December 18, 1946 in King William's Town, South Africa. He died at the age of 30 on September 12, 1977 in Pretoria, South Africa. He had a wife, Ntsiki Mashalaba, and has four children. He attended several schools including Lovedale but he was expelled from his school because of his anti- apartheid views. The next school he attended was St. Francis. Afterward, he wasa student at the University of Natal Medical School. cian steele from cincinnati, OHIO u.s.a- 11/18/2009 at 6:56:03 AM. My hero is: nelson mandela. my hero is nelson Mandela. nelson Mandela was born on July 18 1918 in transkei, South Africa. he was the first president to be elected fully represented by a democratic election. he held office from 1994-1999 in national congress. he served 27 years in jail when the dutch took over. Nelson Mandela wan hundreds of prizes but the best of all he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Michela - 11/18/2009 at 6:55:26 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was worlds famous person because he stood up for aparthate. Although he got caught many times.He was he son of Chief Henry Mandelaof the Tembu Tribe. He became president at the end of aparthate, which hepled South Africa to stop aparthate. Liz - 11/18/2009 at 6:55:20 AM. My hero is: Kofi Annan. Kofi Annan is a Ghanaian diplomat who was Secretary General of the United Nations from Jan.1 1997- Jan1 2007. Kofi Annan is a hero because he played a leading role in 2001 for global action because of 9-11. He has also recieved many degrees from schools all over the world. He is also fluent in many languages. Mallory - 11/18/2009 at 6:54:13 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. He was a person who spoke what he thought was right and who tried to stop slavery. He was arrested for speaking out and when he was released, he kept fighting for what was right. Finally they listened to him and he became president of South Africa. Braedy - 11/18/2009 at 6:53:17 AM. My hero is: haili salase. haili was the eporor of ethiopia. He used nonviolent ways to get help in a war. He was persistant and got the help. Eric - 11/18/2009 at 6:53:01 AM. My hero is: Imotep. He in the 3rd dynasty.He was born near egypt. one important thing he did was raised a temple over his wife's grave William - 11/18/2009 at 6:30:27 AM. My hero is: Mansa Musa. Mansa Musa was the Mansa (king) of Mali from 1312 to 1337. His father was a prince but he was never a Mansa. When he came back from a trip (not known where)she brought back many arabs and archatects. With these people he built up the city. A Muslum exploror said he might have been the best mansa of Mali. He died in 1337 and not t5wo centeries after he died Mali was conquard. By the 18th century Mali had dissapeared. Sierra - 11/18/2009 at 6:28:56 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was born on July, 18, 1918. He was born in Umtata, South Africa. He attended the University College of Fort Hare. Nelson had three wives with which he had 6 children total:4 daughters, and 2 sons. He was the first to be elected in a fully representative demacratic election. He was the leader of a movement against apartheid. He also helped establish the African National Congress(ANC) Youth League. Jack B. - 11/18/2009 at 6:28:03 AM. My hero is: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Nelson Mandela was born July 18th, 1918 in Transkei, South Africa. Nelson is still alive today and his age is 91.His real name is Rolihlahla and Nelson is his english name. Nelson belongs to the Mandela clan and is from the village Mvezo. His great grandfather was the king of the Thembu people. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, was the chief of Mvezo. Nelson attended a methodist missionary school. Nelson Mandela was a person of royalty and was supposed to become chief when his father died, but instead he chose to fight apartheid. His anti-apartheid activities were sabotage and protests. He later was arrestsed and sent to prison for thes activities, he spent 27 years in prison. After he had been released from prison apartheid had ended and he had been elected the first black president of South Africa from 1994-1999. During his presidency he fought to keep equal rights between blacks and whites. He is a great hero, and he is my hero. Christina - 11/18/2009 at 6:28:01 AM. My hero is: Patrice Lumumba. Patrice Lumumba was born July 2, 1925. He was born Democratic of the Congo. He died February 11, 1961. He died in the same place he was born. Patrice was raised in a catholic family. He was one of four sons. When he got older he got married and had five children. As a kid Patrice Lumumbawent to a Primary School, then he went to a Catholic Missionary School, and then he went to a government post office training school. Patrice became head of the Cercles of Stanleyville. He worked on editing and distributing party literature.He became Prime Minister and accomplished the freedom of the Congo.He helped a lot of people while he was alive. Mollie - 11/18/2009 at 6:27:20 AM. My hero is: Sir Seretse Khama. Sir Seretse Khama he was born in 1921 in Serowe, and he was the son of Sekgona Khama 11. the first president of Botswana. he recieved a B.A at Fort Hare University collage in south africa and went to study at the University of Oxford. khama married married Ruth Williams. Arielle - 11/18/2009 at 6:27:05 AM. My hero is: Patrice Lumumba. Patric Emery Lumumba was an extraoridary person he helped sooo many people then had a major consenquence. Patrice was born July 2nd 1925 in Onaloa, Katakoma. What made him soo amazing was he help win independence from Beligum in 1960. After that he was Congo's Prime Minster. I personally find that a amazing accomplishment! Later the government turned on Patrice and put him in prison. He was sentenced to death. Like I said big accompishment but big consenquence. Thats what made him my hero. I'll look up to him always. Sileye - 11/18/2009 at 6:25:38 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela By;Sileye Sow Summary Nelson Madela is a survivor of hardship. He lived in the time of Apartheid.He had to spend 27 years in jail.When he had gotten out he. decided to make a change,so he decided to run for presedent.....and he acually became the presedent of Africa.He is not the presedent anymore.This shows that no matter what happens you can still make a change. Audrey - 11/18/2009 at 6:25:24 AM. My hero is: Patrice Lumumba. Patrice Emery Lumumba was born in stanlyville (now Kisangani)in Congo's Orientale Province July 2nd 1925 and died January17th 1961. He was raised in a Chatholic family and was one of 4 sons. He was educated at a Protestant primary school, a cathlic missionary school.pattrice was a fine student even though he couldn't study after dark because they didn't have any electricity.also the mission schools had very few text booksand only basic school suplies. his teachers spotted his quick intellegence and let him borrow their books encouriging him to advance. He protested for doing so. he became the first elected Congoleseprime minister in 1960 when his country became independent from belgium. less than seven months later he was assassinated. Beatrice - 11/18/2009 at 6:24:37 AM. My hero is: Kofi Annan. My hero is Kofi Annan. He was the 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations serving two terms for 10 years and was the first to emerge from the ranks of the United Nations staff.Annan won the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize for this.He served from January 1, 1997 to January 1, 2007. He was born on April 8th, 1938 in Kumasi, Ghana.He is currently married to Nana Maria Annan with three childrn. Also, Annan has his own fondation(Kofi Annan Foundation) that supports leadership and conflict resolution. He is a chairman and board member for multiple groups. He is still working to help the poor and vulnerable in Africa today. Jessica - 11/18/2009 at 6:24:29 AM. My hero is: Haile Selassie. My hero's name is Haile Selassie. He was the emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1947 which is 43 years. His birth date is July 23rd, 1892. He died on the 27th of August in 1975. He was born in Ejersa Goro, Harar. I believe he was a hero because of all the years he dedicated himself to the government of Ethiopia. He was the leader of many wars and seemed like a really nice man who could keep things under control. His bones were found under a concrete slab on the palace grounds. Mr.Selassie will go down in history! Avary - 11/18/2009 at 6:22:56 AM. My hero is: Queen Nzingha. My heros name is Queen Nzingha, she was born in 1583, she died in 1663. Her place of birth was in Portugal. Queen Nzigha had brothere that was a king and he worked with the slavery. After a while Queen Nzighas brother died. So thats how she got to become Queen Nzingha. Blake - 11/18/2009 at 6:22:47 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. My hero is Nelson Mandela and he was born in transkei, South Africa on July 18,1918. His father was Cheif henry Mandela of the tembu tribe. He was meducated at the University College Fort HARE and the University of Witwaterstrand. Andrew - 11/18/2009 at 6:21:51 AM. My hero is: Osei Tutu. I look at Osie Tutu for two reasons. The first reason is because when he was a kid his unkle died while ruleling so he stood up and took his place as king. The last reason why I like him is because when he was in war with his cousin his cousin was stabbed and killed so he took an army of 300,000 people. I think Osie Tutu was very brave and had lots of courage for loosing his so many family memmbers,and takeing a whole throne. Olivia - 11/18/2009 at 6:21:39 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18,1918. I consider him a hero because he spent 27 years in prison fighting to end apartheid. People in Africa loved him so much that they elected him president!!! He served as president from 1994-99. He currently is an elder statesman who continues to speak out on topical issues. In 1993 he won the Noble Peace Prize. Also, in South Africa he known as Madiba. He has received more than a hundred awards. I think he is brave to stand up for what he believes, even if it means getting in trouble. He risked his life for a lot of people. That is why I consider Nelson Mandela my hero. Kyrah - 11/18/2009 at 6:21:34 AM. My hero is: Nzingha. Nzingha was the Queen of Angola. She was born on December 17, 1583 in a royal family in Angola in Southwest Africa. No one knows what happened to Nzingha's mom, but she had a father who led the Ndongo people, 1 brother who became a king, and 1 sister who suceeded Nzingah. She was a very strong and intellegent girl. After her brother died in 1623, she became queen og Angola. Her country loved her. Unfortunaly since she is a girl, her brother was the favored child. So he was the one who trained to be the next Ngola after his father. But her brother could not accomplish the mission so instead he became a king. Soon Nizingha broke the rules and followed her father's footsteps and became a leader after his death. She soon married a good man and had a baby. Gabe - 11/18/2009 at 6:20:58 AM. My hero is: Askia The Great. He is my hero because he ruled the Songhai Empire nicely. All his people loved him and he set up many schools to educate the children in his Empire. HE also brought a huge increase in trade with Europe and Asia. He made sure that the best scholars came from Mali, which was in his empire. The scholars were so good, they produced some books that are still in use today. Jack Bel - 11/18/2009 at 6:20:32 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela lived in South Africa durring aparthied. He protested against apartheid until he was sent to prison.He was in prison for 27 years. When aparthied ended he became the president of South Africa. Emily - 11/18/2009 at 6:18:58 AM. My hero is: Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie was born on July 23, 1892 in Ejarsagoro Harar, Ethoipia. His mother was Woizero Yeshimebet. He became govenor of Harar at the age of 17. In 1931 he issued a written constitution and retained all major powers. On August 27, 1975 he died because his successor murdered him. Kate - 11/18/2009 at 6:18:06 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. My heros name is Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a man who fought for his freedom.When the British settelers invated South Africa,the made a new type of govornment called "APARTHEID". This made it so that Blacks and Asians where not able to go into certin public places.Nelson Mandela did not like this! He steped in and took some action. When he did this he got arested by the British. He went to prision for 27 years untill the South African's declared freedom. After he was relesed,he was elected president of South Africa. He then retired and is now living in South Africa today. Marissa - 11/18/2009 at 6:18:01 AM. My hero is: Nzingha. Nzingha was born in 1582. She lived during a time when the Atlantic slave trade was growing quickly. She had two sisters and one brother. She became queen at the age of 41. Nzingha fought the Portuguese for her whole life, keeping her people free from slavery. Later on all of Portugal and most of Europe respected her. Nate - 11/18/2009 at 6:16:54 AM. My hero is: kenneth kaunda. Kennth Kaunda also know as k.k. he was born on April 28-1924. They think he is still alive but No one has seen him. He was the youngest of 8 children, his father was the minister. His mother was a teacher. He went to Lubwa Mission school. He started the Zambia African Union Party. Kennth had 7 children. Harrison - 11/18/2009 at 6:16:51 AM. My hero is: Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela helped the South-African slaves escape slavery.He took down the government in South Africa,and made a better one.Later he became president of South Africa.He made it so there was no more slavery. Cal - 11/18/2009 at 6:12:45 AM. My hero is: Sir Seretese Khama. Sir Seretese Khama is my hero, because he was the first president of Botswana, and gained independence for the country. He was also Prime Minister of Bechuaral in 1962. He gained independence for the people of Botswana. Ben - 11/18/2009 at 6:12:40 AM. My hero is: Kofi Annan. Kofi Annan is a very peaceful guy. Kofi Annan won was born on April 8,1938 in Kumasi, Ghana. Kofi is still living today. In 2001, Kofi Annan and the United Nations jointly were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1958, kofi began studying for a degree in economics at Kumasi of Science and Technology To see other thoughts from our students about heroes, read at the My Hero Forum.