| Jambo Africa Ltd |
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Jambo Africa Ltd Aims & objectives/Mission statement The word ‘Jambo’ means ‘Hello!’ in Swahili, a language spoken in many parts of Africa. Jambo Africa was created in October 2005 to act as a greeting between the African population and the local communities living in Sunderland. The aim is to help them to meet, understand and appreciate each other through the channels of culture and creativity. Jambo Africa aims to facilitate and promote creativity in African people living in Sunderland, with a focus on performance, media and education. By doing so, it hopes to contribute to the process of integration of African people in Sunderland, increasing their access to arts and cultural activity, to training and to improve their capacity as facilitators. With these tools, it is hoped that there will be increased appreciation of African cultures and art forms, and raised awareness of what African people can contribute to the life of the region. The overall aim is to promote community cohesion and integration, through the medium of the arts, enabling African people to receive the support they need to fully realise their creative potential, complemented by the exposure of bringing them into the public domain, where the positive aspects of African culture which African migrants bring with them, can be shared and celebrated by all in the region. The idea is to use the cultural art as a bridge between communities, whilst enabling young African people to re-connect with their rich and diverse history and culture. It is hoped that barriers to communication will be brought down, that misconceptions about the life of refugees are addressed, and that mutual respect, understanding and tolerance will be promoted. Jambo Africa is composed of people who are themselves refugees or who share their lives with refugees and can therefore bring real life experience, skills and knowledge to delivery of Jambo Africa’s plans. Why the organisation was set up? The cultural identity of the City of Sunderland is evolving and diversifying. There are many creative people of African origin currently living in the region, but they often lack the exposure, the networks and opportunities to fully realise their potential, and raise awareness in the general public. The project aims to facilitate creative capacity-building in the African Community, and their integration in the local community. There is still a lack of understanding and tolerance among many local people in Sunderland. Many people do not really know where the refugees who have been placed here come from, the reasons why they have left their countries and the challenges they have faced in finding refuge. Ignorance is a big barrier in the integration process, but we believe that creative activity is one of the best ways to cross those bridges. The positive aspects of Africa are celebrated alongside the harsher economic, political and social realities and a curiosity about other art forms is cultivated. Our organisation is made by refugees and asylum seekers and by people who share lives with refugees and asylum seekers. Who better to represent refugees in this region? To help local people to understand their presence here, the reasons why they have come, and what they can contribute to the community? Community served/membership Both the African and local communities Nationality(es) of your membership Membership is free for all Language(s) spoken by membership French, English, Lingala, Swahili Past events and activities/projects
Our Funders Grassroots Grants Sunderland City Council NHS (Safe, sensible, Social Small Grant Scheme) Contact us Jambo Africa C/O Bangladeshi Community centre 30 Tatham Street Sunderland SR1 2QD Tel: 0191 564 0888 Mob: 07958606300/07956972274 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or website: www.jamboafricane.org.uk |