The parts of the Shangani culture is threatened. How far has cultural erosion taken place? This project hopes to give the Shangani girls and women an opportunity to share their culture with the others in a similar predicament. To develop pride, resilience and mantain their language and customs.To link up with other Shangani in Zimbabwe and beyond. To give a voice to the voiceless,Let them tell their story on line through citizen media.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Chiredzi District, Masvingo Province.
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
They are Shangani women and girls living in the periphery of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier corridor in south eastern Zimbabwe. This is a remote area with poor communication facilities There are no internet facilities. The main source of income is remittances from cross border migrants. The project members are in Girl child clubs., farmers clubs, savings and credit clubs. They have not told their story without bias, give a voice to the voiceless
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
The media content will include story telling about their culture, customs and language. Their relations with outsiders – Neighbors, researchers, tourists, teachers and health staff. If there are aspects that need to change it should come from them.They will link up with other shangani in South Africa and Mozambique. I envisage a powerful cultural identity potrayed.Photo galleries, timelines and maps mounted. Wider use of their language in school.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
Existing partnerships are with Edit Trust, Department of Information and Tourism, Red Cross. Future partnerships will include PELUM Association, Mwenezi Development Centre, Museaums and culture,University of Zimbabwe language and culture department.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
Train 150 girls from girl child clubs to tell their story. To use a before and aftre analysis as some issues have been covered by their clubs. Competitions and support with necessary girl items will motivate. 20 farmer club members, 35 savings and credit club members will be trained. All will be trained to use internet to communicate their stories. To take photographs, write stories.This will be a new technology and new approach, self motivating.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
If Rising Voices can support a gender workshop where men – husbands, sons, brothers, traditional leaders understand their role in the project and support it. This is a strong traditional society and team work will help. Rising Voices can also support with computer hard ware and soft ware over above that which might be provided by the project. Rising Voices can connect them with other communities in a similar situation.
Contact name
Irene Dube
Organization
Shangani Development Initiatives