Give Some Little Love
– May 24, 2011
Posted by
Justine Turner
"They are the future generation, don’t treat your child like a rebel, give him the right to education, child abuse is a crime, stop wickedness don’t misuse your child. Show him love, don’t let him cry, maybe one day he will be a superstar, you never know, maybe he will be a minister, maybe he will be a doctor, maybe he will be a president." – Lyrics from AUCAYD’s debut album
From 1991 to 2002 a brutal civil war tore Sierra Leone apart, leaving 50,000 people dead and forcing over 2 million people from their homes. For one group of determined youths, these experiences provided the motivation that led to the formation of Artists United for Children and Youth Development (AUCAYD) - a collective that provides a platform for young people to learn, share and interact with their peers though arts, culture and media technology. Their mission is to empower and promote the creative talents of young people in order to foster self-reliance, economic growth, sustainable peace and development.
In 2009, War Child launched the Capacity Building for Peace Project with support from Street Quality Records. Over the past two years, this project has provided AUCAYD with training in the areas of IT, music and video production as well as on pertinent social issues such as human rights, hygiene, environment and HIV/AIDS. Using the knowledge and skills obtained through this training, AUCAYD is inspiring and empowering youth and children in their community through their school network, which links together hundreds of students for training in the very same subjects that War Child initially provided to AUCAYD. These students then train their peers and so on, magnifying the initial impact of the program as it grows organically through the community.
AUCAYD has also established a community resource centre which provides local students with access to the internet, books and educational resources. Their music and video production training and the modern recording studio set up by Street Quality Records and War Child has enabled them to produce advocacy documentaries, short films and music. They are also running a weekly radio show in collaboration with local students to discuss issues facing children and youth.
Today, War Child is very proud to present AUCAYD’s debut album, ‘Give Some Little Love’. The recording is a direct result of our investment in this passionate group of artists. With songs dealing with topics such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, violence against women and HIV/AIDS, this album will engage, inspire and inform audiences across Sierra Leone and beyond. The album is available for purchase digitally at iTunes Canada, iTunes US and Amazon. You can also order a physical copy from Maple Music.
There are a number of videos on YouTube that demonstrate the success of AUCAYD's work. Over the next few days we'll be posting more from Freetown, including my report on an extraordinary group of teenagers who are following AUCAYD's inspiring example.
Categories:
From The Field,
Education,
Tags:
aucayd,
education,
hip hop,
music,
peacebuilding,
sierra leone,
street quality records,
tech,
Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus- Me sweety Salon on Six months in Sierra Leone
I was born in Sierra Leone and now live in Edmonton AB, Canada. I just want to say thank you so much for such an amazing story. This stroy brought tears to my eyes, knowing that MY people are still suffering but yet have a positive attitude towards life. Thank for this wonderful story :)
- Augustine F. K. on Looking for Justice in northern Uganda
I am impressed. If all this is happening in real world and real life and time, in Uganda, then we are by all accounts, on our way to seriously addressing some of the most critical issues bedeviling sub-regions of Northern Uganda, which was devastated by more than a decade of war and civil strive, leaving many in human need and want.
Continued community education and essential skills training,supported by legal advocacy and action, is an important step forward, towards eradicating such evil in society, in hopes of empowering rural communities, for a more tolerant, cohesive, inclusive, democratic, peaceful, just and fair society.
Such is a surmountable task for one group to accomplice, on their own. Every effort War Child is making in that direction, should be supported by all those who care for the communities living in the sub-regions of Northern Uganda.They should pitch in. whatever support they can garner. So, what sort of sacrifices are you willing to make, to successfully accomplice this noble task? To improve conditions of living and change people's lives for the better! What action can you take now?
- Tom on Charles’ story
Wow, that really sucks. Poor Charles, it must be hard to here that your sister got raped. Luckely he had the training he needed.
- Yolanda Brown on The Cycle of Violence
Everyday we get closer to a solution!
- fsdfsdf on The Search for Justice
Very Insperational!
- mary anne on International Day of the Girl Child
This is a wonderful initiative, many thanks to those who have done the work to bring this day about!
- Ryan Harris on Change Through the Arts
Well music has always been a relaxing and enjoyable medium to relax in this phase of life. It is the only way by which people of different qualification come together to make something that targets the amusement of the public. So here is the example of something happening for everyone.
Sound Recording Studio - Sharavanan on It’s All About the Small Things
People who live luxuriously at rich counties do not care about the environment or generation of waste. Eventhough the awareness programs are conducted, they wouldn't follow the rules properly. But people in the undeveloped countries use less amount of energy and recycle as much as possible. Due to inadequate facilities, people follow the simple way of life and they save lot of natural resources. Small things can achieve big targets.
- Margaret on “A War On Childhood”
Perhaps the time has arrived for more peace talk and less war talk
- Jamiealexander on Get the Best Seats in the House
When will the auction begin on August 8th? What is the link to it?
thank you
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