Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru got a little tase of home from an unlikely source – a charter school in West Philadelphia.

If you ask most lower- and middle-school students in Philadelphia who their favorite Eagles players are, they'll likely say Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Cooper DeJean, or DeVonta Smith.

For students at the Harambee Institute in West Philadelphia, it's Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru.

Founded 54 years ago to embrace African heritage and culture, the Harambee Institute welcomed the two African Eagles on Wednesday before classes started. As the two players walked through the halls and gave high-fives to the kids blanketing the walls, multiple students exclaimed, "I'm never washing this hand again!"

"It means the world to them," said the school's CEO, Gregory G. Shannon. "It means the world from a cultural standpoint to see individuals who are of the same descent strive to higher heights. And that's what we strive to do, give our children the best opportunity to be successful, not just academically, but more importantly, successful in life. To see them as role models is just outstanding for our children in our community."

Bernard made headlines this offseason when he was drafted in the seventh round by the Eagles out of Nigeria. The 6-foot-4, 306-pound defensive tackle never played a down of football before being drafted. Weru was a member of the Kenyan National Rugby Team before signing with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent this offseason. Both went through the NFL's International Player Program as athletes from Africa.

The hallways of the school are plastered with flags of different African countries, photos of cultural artifacts, murals of prominent figures, and more.

"An African heritage school in Philadelphia is crazy," said Bernard.

One wall drew the attention and excitement of Weru as he saw his tribe from Kenya, the Kikuyu.

"Hearing Swahili words and then seeing the Kikuyu, that was really interesting," Weru said. "It was good talking to the CEO and how he talked about the academic performance and how it actually is one of the best performing schools in Philadelphia. That was really cool to go and see."

The Harambee Institute isn't like schools back home in Kenya for Weru - it was a new experience.

"I was kind of shocked because I heard it's an African school and in my mind I thought it was going to be the way schools are in Kenya," Weru said. "When I saw it, I was like, 'that's interesting.'"

Bernard and Weru joined the students for the daily Harambee Circle, a school-wide community meeting where the students recite the school's mission statement in both English and Swahili.

"It is an opportunity to share information, celebrations, and affirmations. It is a time for us to center ourselves and ground ourselves about who we are and our mission, vision, and core values. And to remind us that our first core value is greatness and to be great in all that we do," Shannon said.

During the procession, both players played the shekere in the middle of the circle – a traditional percussion instrument from West Africa.

"I feel at home," Bernard told the students. "I miss my country, so seeing this school ... I'm happy to be here.

The gymnasium was full of students and teachers wearing Eagles gear – a feature of the school's "Eagles Wednesday" celebration. Even in Shannon's daily morning announcement before the assembly, the CEO tells his students to "keep the main thing, the main thing."

"Our founder (John Skief) founded the school around academic excellence, community support, and an embracing of our African heritage and culture," Shannon said. "It's written into our charter as a theme and it's written into our mission, vision, and core values."

Bernard and Weru signed as many jerseys and took as many photos with the students as possible before the kids had to return to class. For the students from West Philadelphia who learn about different aspects of African culture every day, the two African players are idols.

"They just are great role models and great examples of working hard. We talk every day about the value of hard work and the genesis of greatness begins with hard work," Shannon said. "Both of those young men are inspirational stories about working hard and that hard work leads to this pinnacle of success."

- Written by Caroline Connor