Culture, Recreation & Music
Where
We Started
Culture, recreation and music are characteristics of people who are not totally focused on survival 100% of time. When the focus of each day is on where the next meal is coming from, it doesn’t take many missed meals for a family to lose hope. When we came to the village, there was no hope. The people never realized the beauty of their surrounding; or any of the opportunities for enjoying life, that were hidden behind the mask of their desperation. That is the situation we found in the villages around Kersa Illala when we started. Things are improving quickly, and ”hope is back.” The people are starting to have dreams of their own, and believe that they can reach those dreams. They are starting to know that they are capable, smart, determined and willing to make a good life for themselves and their family and neighbors.
What We Have
Done
In 2007 our HRCC Director, Steffanie Reeder, developed a youth service program Tajajilla Dargagoottaa” (means youth service) for young men and women between the ages of 14 and 18. The program was designed to teach the youth in the village the importance and value of service to individuals and society. By learning the value of service, secondary skills such as hard work, sacrifice, charity, self-worth and compassion can also be learned. The program has four key goals;
· Provide youth with opportunities to do service in their community
· Create unity and friendship among various social groups in the community
· Create leadership opportunities for youth
· Create a sense of pride and ownership in the community
The
youth group meets weekly and focuses on one of four areas (Physical, Mental,
Social and Spiritual). Youth have taken martial arts classes, trips
to a nearby lake, performed traditional music and dance for the village,
harvested crops for widows in their village and performed dramas that teach what
can be done to prevent the spread of disease.
The initial success of this program has been so great within the community that in late 2007 the village leadership (Kabelle) donated about five acres of land to the Village of Hope so that we can expand upon these goals and the success already seen.
Current Projects and Future Plans
1. The Kersa Illala Education and Cultural Center. Plans have been drafted to build “The Kersa Illala Education and Cultural Center” on the recently donated 5 acres of land. The center will have three areas of focus;
· Independence Center. Youth will learn improved farming techniques in the areas first irrigated farm land and animal fattening center.
· Athletic Center. A soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts will provide areas for youth and adults to participate in competitive athletic events. Events will include competition within the village and against neighboring villages.
· Cultural Center. Will include a large stage for community gatherings and performances. Youth will help develop a small community of traditional Ethiopian homes that will allow them to learn basic construction skills while learning to design their home in a way that will promote better health for their family. The center’s highlight will be a large “cultural hall” building that will include a kitchen, offices and a large multi-purpose room that will become the central gathering place within the village. The cultural hall will be used for meetings, classes, community social events and other needs of the village.
2. Expand Youth Group. Plans are to expand the current youth group by adding additional groups of 50 youth as we locate additional sponsors.
How You Can Help:
- Support the youth service group
- Sponsor or help support the Kersa Illala Education and Cultural Center