Day 1 – 14 June 19
This collaborative project in Burundi, East Africa took place between 14/06/19 and 21/06/19 the event was in English, Kirundi, French and Swahili. The project commenced with Dr Karin Cooper (University of Hull, England), supported by in-country partners Bienvenu Munyerere (Social Action for Development (S.A.D) - NGO, Burundi) and Mubakilay Yannick (A.N.T.S - NGO – Democratic Republic of the Congo), training volunteer mentors in participatory theatre techniques. We would like to offer special thanks to Serges Nzisabira (S.A.D – NGO Child Protection lead) for his support in translation throughout the project.
The participatory theatre activities with S.A.D organisation mentors included group work and games such as sculpting, rhythm and movement and sharing narratives; These mentors will go on to set up clubs across 11 neighbourhoods in Buterere, Bujumbura in Burundi. Mentors will use this methodology to work with street children, as representatives of Social Action for Development - NGO, supported by Bienvenu Munyerere (S.A.D – NGO) and Mubakilay Yannick (A.N.T.S – NGO).
Day 2 –
17 June 19 – GCRF Networking Event Burundi
Bienvenu Munyerere (S.A.D – NGO,
Burundi) led the project team GCRF funded Networking Event. This event created a space for dissemination
of our collaborative project and for NGOs, charities, Universities and Mrs
Iradukunda Rosine, representative of the Department of Child and Family under
the Minister of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, to engage in dialogue
about innovative projects taking place across Burundi. This networking event was broadcast across Burundian
television.
Days 3 to
6 - 18 June 19 to 21 June 19 – GCRF Project - Forum Theatre and Final Event
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Dr Karin Cooper (University of
Hull) led 3 ½ days of participatory theatre techniques in partnership with
in-country partners Bienvenu Munyerere (S.A.D – NGO, Burundi), Mubakilay
Yannick (A.N.T.S – NGO the DRC) alongside our 10 mentors, Leah Omari (Institute
of Social Work, Tanzania) and 20 street children. We had an amazing time
engaged in theatre games and activities, developing the skills and confidence
of our mentors and providing an opportunity for children and young people to
share their lived experiences through Forum Theatre methodology.
These sculpted images provide a
flavour of the dedication, creativity, sensitivity and thoughtful approach
taken by the mentors and children in addressing challenging topics and sharing
their narratives and experience.
The event culminated in a forum
theatre piece entitled ‘Where is my Sweet Potato’ which participants performed to an audience of parents. This piece featured some of the key themes emerging from their narratives including; family conflict, gender based violence, abuse, poverty and life on the garbage dumps.
During the performance the audience members became ‘spect-actors’ and replaced mentors and children to change an image, engage in discussion, or, act out a solution to a problem they had observed.
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Picture of parents spontaneous
performance
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Following the final performance
the parents spontaneously performed for us, sharing their lived experience of
poverty in Bujumbura. The forum event was thought-provoking, challenging and enjoyed
by all.
Mentors have two preparation days
in July to work towards development of their own clubs in the neighbourhoods of
Buterere – the project team wish them well. Special thanks to the mentors,
children, young people and their families for their time and participation in
this GCRF project. A complete set of pictures is shown below:
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