Sankofa Directions

The project ‘UNTOLD STORIES’ is being born.

The term History comes from the Greek word historia meaning “inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation.” ( Dictionary.com Unabridged) However, the way events are retrieved, investigated and documented very much depends on the perspective of the historian. HIStory may therefore not be the REALstory, or the WHOLEstory, and many stories may not have been told.

In our systems we use History as a foundation for understanding the present and preparing for tomorrow. If stories are absent, or written from a biased perspective, then all our lives are affected; prejudicial thoughts subliminally affect our systems and our perception of ourselves and others and many go down the wrong road.

In collaboration with the Caribbean Impact Foundation, and the Center for the Healing of Racism, we launched the project at Emancipation Park in Houston, on January 10th 2012.

We plan to work together with Africa to identify the real African Stories that are not in the school curriculums across the diaspora. Then to disseminate them into school curriculums to raise awareness, empower students to value themselves, value each other and reach their goals. Contacts have already been established with key people across the old triangle of the past who are ready to work with us and tell the REALstories. As we learn from the past we aim to build a new triangle of equality as we unite and move forward into the future.

Follow us as the stories unfold.

history. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved December 30, 2011, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/history

Download the attached letter as a tool to encourage pupils to write about Jamaican Heritage and Culture. This can be used alone or as a part of the Heritage Alive project. We welcome pupil’s work to display on the site, email to info@sankofadirections.com

Download Ananse Letter

-Participation Document: heritage-alive-participation

-Sponsorship Document: heritage-alive-sponsorship

Aim
Following recognition, through surveys and research, of the value of Keeping Jamaica’s Heritage Alive, both in Jamaica and the Diaspora, the programme aims to practically involve children and young people in the dissemination of specific Heritage based projects they have been involved in, to other children and young people across the Diaspora.

The specific value to children and young people will be: empowerment through raised knowledge and self-esteem, development of skills and valuing of Heritage.

Areas to be addressed:

A year long project… April 2013 - March 2014

To look at the place of Jamaican Heritage in the lives of children of Jamaican heritage in our communities and classrooms across the Diaspora today.
To view the impact of this on achievement.
To look at the place of Jamaican Heritage in communities and the classroom as a tool for raised achievement.
To develop examples of good practice experienced by children and young people in Jamaica to disseminate to Education and Community Networks in the UK and USA.
To set up a system to continue this sharing of good practice across the Diaspora.
The reasons for addressing these areas:

The underachievement of pupils of African Caribbean heritage is a topic of debate high on the agenda in many British and American schools. This underachievement issue is equally a concern for many pupils in Jamaica. A key element affecting this is knowledge and valuing of Heritage both by teachers and pupils.

In initially exploring this issue it was very disturbing to find that the perception of many children, gleaned from media images, was that being Jamaican meant being bad. A key part of the reasons for this perception included the children and young people having a limited knowledge of what really constituted a Jamaican Heritage; therefore they grasped at images thrown daily in front of them through the media and society. The children and young people most at risk appeared to be those in poorer areas and those with limited family support for various reasons.

However, the light driving this project forwards is the confidence and high aspirations of those who did achieve, despite poverty and other issues, because they knew and held on to a strong valuing of their Jamaican Heritage and Culture.

The project will be completed through:

1. Surveys and research of Teacher’s, Pupil’s, Parent’s and Community Member’s perception of Jamaican Heritage and discussions of their feelings around identity - Selection of Education Networks, schools and after school programmes……Jamaica / UK / USA
2. Links with Culture in Education programme, Ministry of Education, Jamaica
3. Links with Activities and Programmes in Kingston at the Institute of Jamaica, Junior Centres
4. Links with the effective programmes in schools and communities in Jamaica impacting on achievement
5. Dissemination of the effective programmes and materials…….. Jamaica / UK / USA

The expected outcomes across the diaspora:
Parents and teachers will recognize the value of Keeping Jamaica’s Heritage Alive
The positive values of Jamaican Heritage in the home and classroom will become a part of whole school planning across the curriculum subjects and other community based programmes.
This will result in……………
Raised awareness and valuing of the Heritage and Cultures of the Caribbean
Raised self esteem and standard of work.
Developed listening skills and stimulated imagination of pupils.
Increased creativity and co-operative engagement
Helping the children to feel included and wanting to achieve.

How the project materials will be disseminated:
The findings and projects would be disseminated through academic and community networks in Jamaica, Britain and America, a website, an event and a publication.
Follow up:
The sharing of effective materials and programmes will continue through the website.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT

Surveys and research - pupils, teachers, parents, community
Sharing of effective curriculum materials
Sharing of effective programmes and events
Dissemination of findings involving children, young people and community

If you would like to be involved as a participant or a sponsor please return the attached form and further details will be sent to you..