Teaching, learning, nurturing African culture

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This article was published 15/05/2014 (4313 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eat, drink, and learn about the continent of Africa right here in the West End.

Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute (DMCI) students of the African Communities of Manitoba Inc. (ACOMI) mentorship program, All That Kids Can Be, are throwing Africa Night, an event dedicated to showing off traditional African food, fashion, and culture, on Fri., May 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the DMCI gym (720 Alverstone St.). Proceeds from the event will go towards three different causes: the Kismayo General Hospital in Somalia, Human Kind International, and Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) in West Broadway.

“We’re planning to start the show with drumming just to get the audience feeling the beat of Africa. Then we’re going to have some dances. We’re also having African food, and the fashion show allows the kids to show the clothes of their culture,” Grade 12 student Bekelu Negash said.

The group of students will be selling T-shirts for $15. A donation box will be set up at the event as well.

Joseph Fofanah, cross-cultural school support worker, said the club is hoping to raise about $2,000 from the event, but there is no specific target amount.

“Africa Night” may be an evening for other people to learn about Africa, but the “All That Kids Can Be” mentorship program allows many of these students to keep in touch with their culture.

“This program is important to me because it allows me to connect with people with the same language and traditions. It also allows me to not forget my culture,” Grade 12 student Safiya Rashid said.

“I’m a part of this club because, like Safiya said, it reminds me of my own culture,” Negash said. “I’m in an environment where a lot of people speak English. (The program) allows me to hold onto my traditions.”

Patrick Bisimwa, a Grade 12 student, came to Winnipeg from Edmonton less than a year ago, and he said joining “All That Kids Can Be” eased him into his new environment.

“I got used to this school through the members in the club, because basically most of them are new to this place, so they know how to deal with the same issues,” Bisimwa said.

Fofanah added the event is also allowing the students to learn about social issues around the world by donating their proceeds to different organizations each year.

Tickets to Africa Night are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Kids under age five get in for free. They are being sold in advance at the school as well as at the door.

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