Imagine using the proven effectiveness of the hands-on approach to learning as fuel to travel the world. For the Griggs family, that's a fantasy they've turned into a reality. 

The family is changing the game of home-schooling by traveling to learn. Parents Sarah and Jermaine Griggs left their American Dream lifestyle six months ago, taking their family of five on a journey to travel the world full-time and homeschool their children while doing it. 

"The inspiration came from a profound realization that these are our best years together and we shouldn't spend this time trapped in what society wants us to do," Jermaine told Because Of Them We Can. "Traveling around the world has been a desire for us but seemed like an impossible challenge with three school-aged children. When would ever be the right time? That's when we decided to put our dream home on the market, notify their private school that we wouldn't be returning and started making preparations for the year ahead."

Prior to making the choice to travel, the Griggs were entrepreneurs. While they were the owners of two successful businesses — AutomationClinic.com, an online marketing consulting firm, and HearandPlay.com, an online instrumental music company — and a beautiful California home, they weren't fulfilled. So they decided to pack up and sojourn around the world. 

“Our children are home-schooled, or you could say ‘world-schooled,’”Jermaine said. “We believe the world can be their school. That doesn't mean the kids won't return to traditional school, but for now, we use online curriculums and supplements like Time4Learning, Khan Academy, IXL, Splash Math, plus field trips and experiential learning."

So far, the family has visited 16 countries with their latest adventure in Portugal and Morocco their forthcoming stop. 

We’ve certainly enjoyed spending time exploring the gorgeous coastline of Lagos, Portugal. But I don’t think any of us were prepared to learn from the tour guide that on these very sea-facing steps, enslaved Africans stood cascaded up to the top, as they were being prepared to be offered for sale. _______ In fact, records show that the first public sale of an enslaved African was right here in Lagos, Portugal in 1444. Over the next 350 years, Portugal would play its part in transporting millions of Africans to the slave markets of the New World, including being the first to complete the transatlantic route in 1526. _______ World-schooling brought us beyond the textbook to an actual site in THE country with the first slave market. If that isn’t a surreal moment for us, I don’t know what is. _______ Even in the writing of this post, it was easy to mistakenly write “slave” (a noun) rather than “enslaved” (an adjective), until my wife corrected me. _______ According to one scholar, “By changing from the use of a name – “slaves” – to an adjective – “enslaved” – we grant these individuals an identity as people and use a term to describe their position in society rather than reducing them to that position.” ???? _______ And that is why we love world schooling and learning together as a family. Some discoveries will be bright; others will be gloomy. But discoveries like these won’t be forgotten. _______ @jadyngriggs @laylagriggs @brendangriggs

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Both Sarah and Jermaine shared that they hope their journey will give their children an appreciation for life outside of America. 

“I hope it gives them exposure to a broader world, expands their vision, gives them a heart for all people, diversifies their thinking and makes them well-rounded individuals,”Jermaine continued. “And we hope that they realize while the world is huge, it's also small. They've met friends in just about every country and while there may be language barriers, fun is universal. Smiling and laughing, also universal. We believe when you've met, fellowshipped and laughed with someone on the other side of the world, then politics, war, media and global agendas won't be able to influence you as readily."

The Taj Mahal has been on our bucket list for a while and I'm so blessed to have finally experienced this Wonder of the World with my family. It is one of rare places that does not disappoint in person as even the finest photos do it no justice. We were mesmerized from the second we laid eyes on the 240-foot edifice. Completely finished in 1653, it took 22 years and more than 20,000 workers to build the ivory-white marble mausoleum that was commissioned in 1631 by Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. It was built in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child. The cost of the 42-acre complex would be a staggering $827 million today. His wife's tomb stands exactly at the center of the entire compound, which is completely symmetrical. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage." It is regarded by many as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India's rich history. Although the e-visa process was overwhelming for a family of five, we are so glad we stuck with our plan and made India an indelible part of our journey and memories. -JG . . . . . . . . . . . . #travel #worldtravel #traveler #travelogue #traveltheworld #traveling #travelling #travelnoire #lonelyplanet #worldtraveler #travelbug #travelpics #travelandlife #blacktravelfeed #beautifuldestinations #travelwithkids #familytravel #family #familytime #india #tajmahal #taj #blacktravel #blackfamily #luvblacklove #indian

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You can track the family's innovative journey on their Instagram.

Black familyGriggs FamilyHome SchoolingTravelingWorld Schooling