By Mary Malloy
Using slideshow photos, language and even food, Staiano - "Uncle Joe" as he calls himself - demonstrated how different - and sometimes how alike - children are in all parts of the world.
"I love seeing the enthusiasm on the children's faces," said Staiano, who dressed in a longhi (a tradition Myanmar sarong) while talking with the students. He explained to them that different countries have different cultures, food, transport ion, homes, animals, land forms and even climate.
Raised in the Bronx for 30-years, Staiano now lives in Seattle, has traveled to 70 countries on all seven continents, and visits his family in Lynbrook as often as he can. His three nephews attend the Lynbrook schools that he visits. He recently returned from a trip to Central, North and South Africa. He said that not many tourists go to some of these places. If he does not know the language, he told the students, he always has a smile in his pocket, and he uses gestures to communicate.
The average school in Africa, as well as in Southeast Asia, Staiano said, is a small, dirt hut, with no windows or desks, that can hold 50 children to a class. The class reacted with "ewws" when Staiano explained that the walls of these structures are made of cow dung, which, when hardened, becomes very strong. "The outside is made of sticks, and they cannot afford cement, which is very expensive."
Staiano explained that some children in other parts of the world have nothing - no place to live, and very little food or health care. Their soccer balls are made of rolled up paper bags. "Not to be a downer, but this puts things into perspective, he said, "Next time you get extra homework or lose a basketball game, remember that there are things that are important - and other things that are really important."
The students asked questions during the slideshow presentations: "Why are there penguins in Africa?" "Do elephants sleep standing up?" "Is there a difference between a cyclone and a hurricane?"
"How truly blessed am I to be able to share my passion for travel and photography with these kids." Staiano said. "And through stories and smiles I get them to realize that there are so many different people and places out there in the world and yet that world - their world - is actually a very small place."
To read more about Staiano's global classroom, visit www.joestaiano.com/classroom
Comments about this story? Mmalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000.
