The airplane rumbled beneath Annah's feet as it soared through the clouds. She pressed her forehead against the cool window, watching the white puffs drift by. Below, the wide land of America stretched far and wide, nothing like the familiar streets of Takoradi.
It had only been a week since she said goodbye to her parents, hugged her little sister tightly, and boarded the plane alone. At just fifteen years old, Annah had been selected to join a special youth adventure program in America—something very few people from her school had even heard about. She still couldn't believe she was chosen.
"Are you okay?" the lady beside her asked with a kind smile.
Annah nodded. "Yes, thank you." Her voice was quiet, a little unsure.
"You're very brave," the woman said. "Traveling alone like this."
Brave? Annah wasn't sure she felt brave. She felt scared. Excited too—but mostly scared. New place, new people, new everything. But deep inside her heart, she had made a promise: I will not give up, no matter what happens.
The plane landed in Washington D.C., where the program would begin. At the airport, a group of teenagers from different countries waited with their suitcases and backpacks. A tall man with a red shirt held a sign that read "Global Adventure Leaders Camp."
"That's me," Annah whispered to herself and walked over.
The man smiled. "Welcome! You must be Annah from Ghana."
She nodded. "Yes, sir."
"I'm Coach Mike. You'll be with Team Eagle. Your group is waiting for you."
Annah turned and saw four other teens, all around her age. They looked different from each other—different skin, hair, clothes—but all of them smiled when they saw her. One girl stepped forward and held out her hand.
"I'm Zoe, from Canada."
"Annah," she said, shaking Zoe's hand.
"Nice to meet you!" said a boy with curly hair. "I'm Raj from India."
"I'm Lucas from Brazil," another boy added.
"And I'm Sarah, from South Africa," said the last girl.
Suddenly, Annah didn't feel so alone anymore.