September 12, 2019

Silversea Guest Donates Time To Teach Students He Met While On A Voyage In Africa

(Miami, FL -- September 12, 2019) After traveling to the West Coast of Africa aboard Silver Cloud in April of this year, Silversea guest Robert Lapin is volunteering his time to teach students in Ghana. From his home in California, Lapin connects via Skype with 12 junior high school students and their teacher in Cape Coast, providing English and mathematics lessons for two hours per week. The connection Lapin has developed with the school in Ghana exemplifies the immersive nature of Silversea’s voyages; guests are able to travel deep into destinations, enjoying enriching experiences with local people, as they discover the authentic beauty of the world.

When Silversea's ultra-luxury expedition ship called in Takoradi on April 16, 2019, Lapin and his wife, Temma, embarked upon a Silversea-arranged cultural experience, which ventured about 40 miles northeast to Cape Coast. Here, the retired Systems Analyst visited Archbishop Amissah Memorial Basic School at Duakor, bringing school supplies, games and clothing for the children—as did fellow guests and members of the ship's Expedition Team. The Lapins have since made additional donations to the school, including a laptop, speakers, and whiteboards, in addition to sponsoring five children.

Through Silversea's regionalized destination expertise, special arrangements were made for the Lapins to meet the school's head teacher, Justin Ekor, and to extend their visit to attend lessons with a junior high school class and upper primary students.

"I was impressed by the school's level of enthusiasm and determination to create a promising future through education," said Lapin. "Upon reaching home, I decided to create a permanent connection with the school, via the Internet, in order to continue teaching and monitoring the pupils' academic progress."

Lapin partnered with Ekor to establish the Lapin-Ekor School Enrichment Program, with a vision of instilling in every Cape Coast student the skills and attitudes necessary to become leaders in business and government, and good citizens of the world. The program's goals include the aim to acquire additional computer equipment and supplies for the school; recruit additional teachers from the U.S. and internationally; and recruit student sponsors from the U.S. to provide financial support for high school attendance.

"We are very moved to learn of Mr. Lapin's experience in Ghana and his desire to make a difference in the lives of the children he met during his expedition cruise along Africa's west coast," said Conrad Combrink, Silversea's Senior Vice President of Strategic Development for Expeditions and Experiences. "It's an honor to know that Silversea helped create a bridge between young students in Ghana and Mr. Lapin, a person inspired to improve the lives of others. This is a testament to the deep and immersive connections that Silversea can unlock for guests."

Silversea’s expedition voyages take guests closer to the authentic beauty of the world, from the lush rainforests of the equatorial Pacific to the polar extremes at the very edge of the world, and virtually everywhere in between on all seven continents. Each of Silversea’s expedition ships features specialist expedition experts who lead immersive shore experiences for guests. These passionate and knowledgeable professionals offer informative lectures, discussions and recaps on board, in addition to guided Zodiac excursions, hikes, and nature walks ashore -- all of which are included in the fare.

Aboard Silversea’s ships, guests enjoy ocean-view suites, gourmet cuisine, the personalized service of a butler, and a generous selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, a stocked in-suite beverage cabinet, and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi (although satellite coverage in Polar Regions may be limited).

Find out more information about Silversea’s expedition voyages: https://www.silversea.com/luxury-expeditions-cruises.html

Watch a behind the scenes video of Steve McCurry’s trip to West Africa with Silversea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrzIYzEdghc

About Silversea
Silversea Cruises, in which Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio serves as Executive Chairman, is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit and Silver Muse – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Explorer, Silver Galapagos, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both Polar Regions and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of five new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Moon, Silver Dawn, Silver Origin, and two Evolution-class ships. Browse Silversea's new blog Discover and subscribe to receive the latest content directly into your inbox.

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