Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Library Service is set to celebrate Africa Day on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Roy Marshall Teaching Complex, University of the West Indies (UWI), from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This significant event aims to honor African heritage and culture through an enriching cultural experience for young students.
The celebration will host 250 school children aged 8 to 11 from ten primary schools across Barbados. In an exciting international exchange, children of similar ages from Liberia, Nigeria, and The Gambia will also participate virtually. This initiative seeks to educate and inspire the children about their African roots, fostering a sense of pride and self-worth in their heritage.
The participating Barbadian schools include Sharon Primary in St. Thomas, Charles F Broome Memorial Primary and St. Ambrose Primary in St. Michael, Mt. Tabor Primary in St. John, St. Lucy’s Primary in St. Lucy, St. Catherine’s Primary in St. Philip, St. Elizabeth Primary in St. Joseph, Christ Church Girls in Christ Church, St. George Primary in St. George, and West Terrace Primary in St. James. From Africa, schools from Liberia, Nigeria, and The Gambia will join the celebration.
The event will feature various activities designed to highlight African culture and traditions. Children will showcase African-inspired clothing, celebrating the vibrant and diverse fashion heritage of the continent. Emphasizing the importance of oral traditions in African culture, storytellers from both Barbados and the participating African countries will engage the children with captivating narratives. Brief cultural performances from the African schools and a combined presentation from the Barbadian schools will enrich the experience, promoting a deeper understanding of shared cultural values.
The highlight of the day will be a virtual cultural exchange via Zoom, allowing children from Barbados and the African countries to interact in real time. This exchange aims to foster mutual understanding and tolerance, promoting long-lasting friendships and potential future exchanges. To enhance the children’s experience, a video showcasing notable Barbadian sites like Harrison’s Cave, Bayley’s Plantation, and the monument in Hero’s Square will be produced. This video will also feature prominent cultural icons of Barbados.
The event logistics are meticulously planned, with transportation provided by Sam’s Tours due to specific timing requirements. Coordinators, including The Centre for Hybrid Studies and the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP) in Liberia, will ensure smooth participation from the African schools.
The provisional budget for the event includes $700 for the venue at UWI Lecture Theatre 1, $6,500 for communication links including technical production, streaming, and recording, $4,000 for coordinator fees for the Centre for Hybrid Studies, $1,000 for the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project, $2,500 for manager fees for Aja, $1,000 for MC fees for Julius Gittens, $500 for storyteller Deanne Kennedy, and $5,200 for transportation by Sam’s Tours. The total cost is estimated at $21,400.
The event promises to be a landmark occasion, nurturing a greater appreciation of African heritage among young Barbadians and strengthening ties with their African peers. The National Library Service and Aja, the event managers, are dedicated to making Africa Day 2024 a memorable and impactful celebration.
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