Lugufu Refugee Camp Digital Arts Project

FIRST DAY IN LUGUFU REFUGEES CAMP

Dear friends around the world.

Isack again. I know that you missed much news from our team in Lugufu as it is difficult to access the Internet. Erik and Andy now are in the USA. Salley and I have been busy with YAAPA group, too. YAAPA is a group of youth working for HIV/AIDS and Poverty eradication in local communities. Together we made a movie on War and HIV/AIDS problems in Africa that will be shown to local communities in Kigoma.

Salley and I are in Lugufu Refugees Camp. I’m very happy to have a special class session again with Refugees. I know that they have many worthy ideas to make movies that can educate others about peace and other life challenges facing them. The training is equipping members with skills so that they can make movies about different issues that affect positive changes to their lives.

When we arrived at Lugufu, we met Shadrach Meshach, a Roots & Shoots Lugufu coordinator. He welcomed us and introduced us to Roots & Shoots members and different officials from other partners. It was a pleasure to meet with them. At the training I asked if there is any one who knows how to use a computer and they said “we don’t know”. I asked them if they had dreams to make movies before our training plan, they said “yes but we didn’t have equipment and since that equipment is so expensive, it wasn’t easy for us to reach our dreams” I said to them, “Pearson Foundation in collaboration with Jane Goodall Institute-Roots & Shoots Program is now here to teach and make your dreams happen.” It is fantastic to see us helping youths on our own since when our Pearson Foundation team has empowered us to take action.

I was the first facilitator who taught computer introduction to participants. It was so tough because many members have no exposure to apply tools like computers!!

Up to the end of my first day all participant knew how to switch on and off the computer, to open some programs and to type. Tomorrow the will came at 10:00 for revision before starting a new topic.

SECOND DAY IN LUGUFU REFUGEES CAMP

In a second day now in Lugufu Refugees camp. Today Shadrach has taught them how to feature environmental and community problems on movies. Shadrach gave an introduction about the Digital Arts project and how to interview other participants to make them realize how movies have an influence to change the lives of people. Shadrach divided the participants into groups to open a discussion about the movies they were intending to make. Finally students came with common ideas. From my first hand experiences children here in Lugufu are so clever.

Salley has taught them how to use digital cameras and Flip videos. Every participant was exited with Salley’s lesson. They have taken those cameras and Flips with them home to take photos they would want to display in their movies. All days are seen very successfully to both members and teachers teams. Tomorrow will be my day. I shall teach them how to download photos from the camera to computers, and making movies as well. I am already prepared for the lesson hoping that things will be fine. So if you want to know more about Isack, Salley and Shadrach in Lugufu Refugees camp please stay with us, we hope that you will enjoy our programs that promoting to help people who are voiceless. See you next…….