Fifteen high school students from Ivory Coast, Congo, and Niger visited the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization’s Africa House, Friday. The students were treated to snacks and career advice from Africa House staff and representatives from the City of Portland’s Office of Equity and Human Rights, and Portland Human Rights Commission. The students are in Portland to learn about entrepreneurship and community service.
Grant High School hosted the students during their trip, which was organized by the U.S. State Department and World Affairs Council of Oregon. A scheduled visit to Jesuit High School was cancelled by the school out of concern for the Ebola Virus.
“While the fear of Ebola is understandable, these students have been screened by the Centers for Disease Control and are being monitored by the Multnomah County Health Department,” said Aimee Samara, Human Rights Commission chair. “It is important that we honor their human rights and support their international educational experience.”