Africa Experience

Anna Katama from Africa Experience visited the Evelina Children Hospital School and led several workshops in the dialysis unit and in the Moon and Sun centre and later on one for the staff. It was a wonderful experience for the children and staff together as Anna gave us a tour of Africa through her fabrics that the children were able to look at and to explore. Anna then taught us about the Adinkra symbols and the language of "the talking fabrics". The young people really enjoyed choosing a symbol or creating their own meaningful symbols. They learned how to make a printing block to print their chosen symbol. The experience was very therapeutic but also the young people talked about subjects close to their hearts such as the end of war for which a symbol was created. Lots of art went on but also lots of SMSC (social moral spiritual and cultural) . There was something for everyone. The young children chose and named shapes and printed them, just enjoying the magic of seeing the print appear on the fabric. Some older children chose their favourite symbols and some others recognised elements of the culture they learned from their parents.The impact of this workshop was extended as a group of secondary students made a printed piece of artwork about children's rights during a cross curricular lesson the following week. Again there were discussions but also a math element where the young people found the rotational orders and the lines of symmetry in the symbols. I could never recommend this workshop enough to other schools and children centres!

Great workshops, the instructors engaged well with our 16-18yr olds and were able to adapt workshops to young people needs. We have had nothing but great feedback from our students they really enjoyed it and look forward to future workshops from Africa Experience.

A thoroughly enjoyable workshop.