The Bantaba Project
AIM: To create an active community centre in The Gambia, West Africa which would be the prototype and example for other community centre developments to be created throughout Africa and the world.
Education and training provide impoverished individuals and families with the means to set up and sustain livelihoods.
METHOD: The Bantaba Project has been initiated to fulfill this aim.
First Feature- To build a Community Centre in order to provide opportunities for learning skills and developing those skills to produce products and services within identified markets. Trade of these will therefore be the catalyst for improved living conditions. The project will directly benefit those that participate in the project and their extended families, which will allow indirect benefits to spread throughout the village community. Over time the Centre will become somewhere villagers can come to learn new skills and also use the facilities for enjoyment/entertainment.
Second Feature- The Centre will also be able to accommodate visitors, teachers and students from all over the world, who may arrive to help within the Centre, teach their skills or to learn about African life at grassroots level.
In essence, The Bantaba Project will focus on helping people to help themselves, empowering communities through education and training workshops, to benefit disadvantaged people in the community by tackling issues of illiteracy, poor education, ill-health and poverty.
Within the Community Centre, The Bantaba Project will incorporate:
· Arts and Crafts Workshop
Here the students learn how to use local materials to produce items to sell in the tourist markets. Inclusive of such paraphernalia as pottery, basket weaving, painting, picture framing, sewing, embroidery, knitting, crochet, wood carving and metal work.
· A Holistic Health Centre
Here students can learn basic Anatomy and Physiology, Remedial massage, Reflexology and other professional therapies. This will give the successful students a chance to work within the Centre as well as employment in the tourist hotel spa's.
· Information Technology Workshop
This workshop will enable students to learn how to use a computer and find work in local industry. Also creating a means of communication for trade and information.
Information Technology will be incorporated into the educational lessons creating a more interactive, fun way to learn through a variety of software use.
· Music and Dance Room/Video Hall
Here the local community will be able to participate in the practice of their cultural dances and music so as to entertain within the Community Centre and in the various tourist hotels. The hall will also be used for educational/entertainment video shows from which a small income could be generated.
This facility would also be utilised for other artistic activity.
· Early Learning Centre/Creche and Nursery
Mothers will be able to make use of this service by bringing their babies and children to the Centre aiding children to learn and play with educational and colourful toys, jigsaws and books. Integrating sessions specifically for Mothers to get help with health and hygiene practices for themselves and their children.
· Kitchen and Restaurant
Here the teaching of all aspects of food hygiene, health and safety and classes in cooking of both local and international cuisine will take place. The restaurant will be open to local visitors and tourists alike.
· Accommodation
Living quarters for on site management and for staff, students and International guests. The lodgings for guests will generate an income, giving support towards the sustainability of the project.
· Laundry
This will comprise laundry facilities for the use of the Centre and its’ guests leading to the employment of local residents.
· Management/Staff Office
The office would be a hub for the administration and execution of The Bantaba Project’s development and growth.
After initial building and set up costs, The Bantaba Project would trade as a ‘not for profit’ organisation, eventually breaking even and able to sustain itself.
For further information, please contact us at:
Rose Dawson
Email: Rose@bantabaproject.com
Supported by
The Rotary Club of Brackley
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Thank you very much.
Rose
