World Citizen: Tashi Harrow

She has an energy that is authentically positive and upbeat that puts you at instant ease. She is Tashi Harrow: world traveller – world citizen. In fact you might take a second look when you hear her speaking because you didn’t expect to hear the Japanese language flow from this tall, statuesque Afro-Cuban.

However, once you have passed your state of curiosity jumbled with confusion you will learn that her upbringing has prepared her naturally to take on the role of ambassador, one that encourages cross cultural understanding and tolerance. She enlightens, while sharing her passion by exposing young people to cultures and traditions through travel.

Made in the USA

I was born in San Diego, California.

What is 30 Elephants?

We take groups of children no larger than 10 at a time to various cities and countries around the world. We explore the language, customs, foods, clothing, and people of these countries, as well as national landmarks. We only take 10 children at a time because it is a small enough group to give each child the proper amount of attention and answer any and all questions they may have.

We want to inspire out of the box thinking by showing them the world. Our goal with this program is to show them different places, occupations, and ways of life to provoke thought and positive change.

My motivation – Ohhhhh the kids

Everyone asks why kids and not adults or college students and that is a very easy answer. Kids have no preconceived notions. Their minds are open, accepting and free. The first trip was completely fundraised by the students. The culture classes were only supposed to be one hour but the girls stayed two or three just talking and asking questions. The trip: none of us could really believe was happening until we were on the plane. For some of them, it wasn’t until we were actually there. My husband chuckles at me because I cry every trip. Yes, I know, it’s cheesy. No matter how many times I go to a place it is always new because I get to see it through their eyes.

Learning comes in many forms: A mountain and two boys

I have a lot of great excursion stories but the one that is most powerful was a trip to Tokyo in 2009. I had two students from drastically different backgrounds. We were on our day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji. While on top of the mountain the two boys got into an argument. One of the boys (suburbanite) made a statement as to why the other boy didn’t move from the projects. He said it very matter-of-factly, because of his way of life he assumed that everyone has two luxury cars, goes to private school and has both parents.

Anyhow I refused to go anywhere until they talked the situation out. Not fight, but talk to each other like human beings. The less privileged boy told the other what it was like for him. The other couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to have seen his father murdered and live in the projects. However, he did understand that the circumstances of the 14-year-old boy were as much in his control as his own living and life situation. We were up there for hours. There were tears and lots of anger but in the end the boys spoke and by the end of the trip invited each other to hang out.

This is an important story because I am often explaining why I don’t just take underprivileged kids or just well to do kids. I take both because they can also learn from each other.

Citizen of the world

My father is an officer in the United States Navy. I moved to Yokosuka, Japan when I was 1 1/2 and lived there until my 13th birthday. I have lived in five places total to date. This does not include the places where I spent my summers, such as Subic Bay Philippines, Pusan Korea and Thailand.

Travel leads to cultural understanding, tolerance and acceptance

Growing up, being “different” was never a problem. Japan is amazing culturally. They are a respectful people and thus my family always felt welcomed. Everything was educational. For example, I am Afro-Cuban. Most little black girls at some point get their hair braided for school so their parents don’t have to redo it daily. This made me the subject of conversation almost everywhere I went. People wanted to touch it and pull it and braid their own hair. This did not offend us in any way because the curiosity was genuine. I had questions about some of things they did there and found their questions completely understandable. That being said, my family as a whole is understanding. Life would suck if we were all the same.

I would however say that my travels have given me a very low tolerance of ignorance and hatred. Every culture has something to be proud of. I find that often these things come from lack of understanding and things passed down from previous generations. These are not innate feelings. Racism and prejudices are taught.

I remember when I first moved back to the US I refused to speak English in class. Everyone there thought I was weird. Not because I wasn’t speaking English, but because I was Black and not speaking English. They thought my older sister was odd because of the way she dressed. We got asked several times what China was like and if we ate dog. This was infuriating!

Bilingual and a couple other languages

I speak Japanese with my sisters and around my house. My Tagalog and Spanish are enough to get me food and back home safe.

The personal side

Favourite book

I read each Harry Potter book in about a 36 hours. I just finished reading “The girl with the dragon tattoo” series and that was pretty good. I don’t think I have a single favorite.

Favourite movie

I love action, suspense and thrillers or completely ridiculous movies like Labryinth with David Bowie and The Wiz or The Town and Layer Cake with Daniel Craig.

My perfect day

I love sunny days and heavy rain days equally. A perfect day: I have cooked a great meal and share it with others who love it. LOL Good conversation with nice people. I love nice people, animals and a good laugh.

A bucket list dream

At the top of my list would be a tour of Africa: The Sahara, Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Nile and Serengeti Plain. To see history, beauty and nature at its finest.

Are you interested in going on a 30-elephants excursion?

All enrollment is done online via our website www.30-Elephants.com or if you are at one of our events you can pick up a form there. We only do a limited amount of trips per year so booking early is always best. For sponsored students, they must be nominated by a teacher or community mentor. You can submit nominations directly to our administrator at admin@30-Elephants.com. The paid students just enroll online as directed. We post the information (dates and prices) for the upcoming trips at the top of each year.

You can donate through our website on the sponsors page or simply coming to any of our events helps support the cause.