By Catherine Leonard | Project Leader
Across the African continent, heritage is under threat. And yet we know that if we can encourage younger generations to play an active part in learning about their heritage, their cultural backgrounds - and those of their neighbours - we can begin to ensure its protection.
Young people like Sylvia who visited Bunce Island in Sierra Leone for the first time as part of our programme: “A feeling of sombre despondency took over the pupils as they traversed the length and breadth of Bunce Island listening to the events that characterised the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The tears that rolled down Sylvia's eyes were enough reason to preserve and save this endangered site from degradation” writes Mohamed Faray Kargbo, Education and Outreach Officer of the Sierra Leone Monuments and Relics Commission.
So our project, "Encourage African Youth to Embrace their Heritage" is doing just what it says on the tin by bringing together young people's love of heritage and modern technology!
The latest news is that youth from Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Uganda are really getting to grips with their heritage through a competition to make video clips illustrating their passion for history and culture, or interesting activities they engage in through Heritage Clubs in their schools. The programme brings together the National Trust of Zimbabwe, the Monuments and Relics Commission of Sierra Leone, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) and INTO.
Many mini-films have already been submitted and the juries in the various countries will convene in October to choose the winners.
Once again, huge thanks to you, our generous donors who have enabled this exciting and innovative project to take place!
All the partners involved have learned so much over the course of the programme (including me!) and we are delighted to see young people benefitting from exposure to their cultural heritage – and learning more about what they can do to protect it into the future.
Thank you warmly for your continued support.
Best wishes, Catherine
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