Teachers’ resource – Information Pack
2024 Theme: Identity
Introduction
What is Africa Awareness Week?
Afrikindness is excited to introduce Africa Awareness Week, a special
initiative aimed at promoting cultural awareness, diversity,
and kindness among students as part of the Black History Month celebration.
It is a dynamic learning
experience that will take students on an exciting journey through the history, culture, and lifestyle
of Africa. It is a holistic and engaging experience aimed to inspire curiosity and cultural awareness
in students across schools in the UK. The week-long event is designed for schools to foster inclusivity
and promote a deeper understanding of Africa’s rich heritage.
Challenging the narratives
Why Africa
Why Africa
Awareness Week?
Africa Awareness Week was founded to foster cultural awareness, diversity, and kindness among students as part of the UK Black History Month celebration. We recognize the negative narratives, myths, and misconceptions about Africa that perpetuate harmful stereotypes, leading to racial bullying and a sense of inferiority.
Our mission is to challenge these narratives and create a balanced view that celebrates the beauty of Africa's diversity and promotes cultural inclusiveness, kindness, and racial harmony in schools. We firmly believe that by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of African culture, we can empower children and young people to embrace their identity, find purpose and drive, and break the cycle of self-doubt
Bunmi Owolabi
Founder, Afrikindness
Founder, Afrikindness
Our Mission
To foster positive racial identity
development in children and young people
Our Objectives
To help children learn, appreciate and celebrate other cultures and race by
building their racial knowledge and celebrating cultural diversity in schools. And not stopping there,
helping children of colour develop a positive racial identity, supporting teachers and parents by building
their racial knowledge, and creating public awareness on the impact of identity crisis on young people's
mental health.
Working together with schools, parents, charities, and organizations, we aim to do the following 5 things.
1. Celebrate Cultural Diversity
Students will learn about African cultures and explore the diverse traditions, languages, music, dance, and art forms that make Africa unique.
2. Foster Diversity & Inclusion
By learning about Africa's diverse history and contemporary society, students will develop a greater understanding of cultural differences and the need to nurture empathy and respect for all individuals.
3. Increase respect and understanding of other culture & race
In order to demonstrate the importance of racial diversity in our interactions with each other, we must teach children to acknowledge and celebrate differences while learning to accept them too. Students of African descent will have a sense of pride & identity nurtured which will foster racial harmony
4. Promote Kindness and Global Citizenship
Through interactive activities and discussions, students will explore the importance of kindness, empathy and develop an appreciation of the challenges faced by African communities.
5. Encourage Critical Thinking
Students will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills through thought-provoking activities that explore differences among cultures and how they affect family lifestyles.
This Year's Theme: IDENTITY
Register to take part in Africa
Register to take part in Africa
Awareness Week, October 2024
What to Expect
The week-long celebration will include educational workshops, community service projects, and outreach initiatives to promote cultural awareness and celebrate African heritage. Afrikindness will provide lots of ideas and resources for schools, parents and children to celebrate Africa Awareness week.
We believe that Africa Awareness Week is an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate African heritage and culture. We believe that it will be an exciting experience for your students, providing them with a broader perspective on the world and fostering a sense of global citizenship. It is a time to recognize the contributions of African people to world history, culture, and civilization, and to promote unity, pride, and self-awareness among people of African descent.
Reviews
What's being said about
What's being said about
Africa Awareness Week
“Afrikindness exists to foster positive racial identity development, advance racial harmony and promote acts of kindness amongst children and young adults, igniting a desire in them to make a positive impact in their communities. As part of Black History Month, Africa Awareness Week is a key enabler to helping children learn, appreciate and celebrate culture and race by building their racial knowledge and celebrating cultural diversity in schools. Having lived and worked in Africa, I can testify from first hand experience, when young people experience the tapestry of Africa's rich heritage, they feel a deeper connection to Africa, enhance their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through raising awareness, we will be able to realise our vision to create a world where every child transforms their community and makes a difference through Kindness.”
Sukwinder Bassi
Chair of Trustees, Afrikindness
“These school resources are an excellent support for Africa Awareness Week- enabling pupils to come together and celebrate African culture and foster a true understanding of inclusion and diversity.”
Carolyn Dickinson
Trustee (Education) Afrikindness
South West Hub Director, Avanti Schools Trust
UBUNTU - I am because we are
Far too often people think of themselves as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do
affects the whole world. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity
- Desmond Tutu
What’s On Africa Awareness Week in 2024
School Resources
Explore Africa and Celebrate Black History Month with Our School Resources. Read More
Teacher's Training
There will be a training workshop for teachers on Identity & Cultural Inclusiveness. Read More
Art Competition
Unleash your inner artist and showcase your talent in our exciting art competition! Read More
School Assembly Activities
Inspire Through Diversity: School Assembly Activities with Black African Celebrities. Read More
Afrikindness Podcast
Listen to the Afrikindness Podcast on Youtube or Buzzsprout
School Local Events
There are so many events lined up for schools. Register Now to Partake.
