Former SWLA educator shares her journey after moving to Africa – KPLC

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – 7NEWS spoke with Shakiyla Solomon more than six years ago as she was embarking on her 1,600-mile journey to Nigeria.
“You are not exempt from God using you in something this different, this big, and outside your comfort zone,” said Solomon years ago.
The words she used became a testament to her mission.
Solomon went to Africa to teach, and she has now found herself in a pivotable position making an impact on hundreds of lives daily.
She is the director of education at the Rafiki Foundation.
“I was in a program where I was able to train other teachers, and I fell in love with it. So, I heard about the Rafiki Foundation, the organization I’m working with, I’m serving with, and have been doing for the past six years. I’m training teachers in Nigeria how to be their best in the classroom,” said Solomon.
Though the country was once foreign to her, she found comfort in the similarities.
“I think that there are so many similarities to southern culture that I found in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa,” said Solomon.
Some people in the States have the opportunity to learn about African history, but Solomon said it doesn’t compare to diving headfirst into the culture.
“I didn’t see resiliency like I’ve ever seen it before until I moved to Nigeria. I’ve never seen that sort of dedication and desire to set yourself apart until I moved to Nigeria. So, coming back here and being able teach children that – that’s important for them and their families,” said Solomon.
She’s always taught her students to be themselves, and through her experience in Africa, she’s gained a better understanding of who she is.
Though history doesn’t define a person, Solomon says it certainly makes an impact.
“The impact that has had on our culture, black American culture, African culture. I see how they serve each other and how everyone cooks together, and I just know that that’s where that came from. So, during Black History Month, I get excited to celebrate those things and see those connections,” said Solomon.
These are connections she hopes others will be inspired to make.
“It’s necessary for us to work hard, and not just for the sake of working hard, but because we were created to be exceptional, so let’s be exceptional,” said Solomon.
She will be heading back to Nigeria in April, and if you’d like to follow her journey, CLICK HERE.
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