The project is about linking and communicating Culture and Arts of Indigenous Peoples(Abatwa) of Burundi through story telling. Those people are underrepresented and underprivileged at all levels of community with limited access to opportunities. Their culture and Art is neglected, ignored or misunderstood and tends to disappear. The project will train 50 Change Makers(Imboneza) from the same community on Media use towards a widespread linkage and awareness of their Culture and Arts. The project looks to achieve self-empowerment/esteem of Batwas and promote understanding between people.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
VUGIZO-Makamba
Describe the specific population with whom you will be working.
Batwas or ”Abatwa” are indigenous and minority people(almost 5%) of Burundi. A group of Five aspiring Change Makers(Imboneza) from Batwa Community were consulted and have given their say on the current project which enabled its development. Batwas live in bad conditions of life(extreme poverty and discrimination) comparing to the rest of Burundi's population. They mostly live in remote settings with very limited advantages not to say the online media access and access to other opportunities at all levels. I would like to help them have access to Media skills and tools for the promotion of their culture and Art production which tends to disappear through story telling. Majority of Batwas have no Computer and internet familiarity.
Who else will be on your team to help implement the project?
NIYOMWUNGERE Hassan: https://www.facebook.com/niyomwungere.hassan.1?fref=ts
YOWLI Burundi association: http://www.yowliburundi.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/YOWLIBURUNDI
HABONIMANA Desire: https://www.facebook.com/desire.habonimana.71?fref=ts
IZERE Raphael: https://www.facebook.com/izereraphael.raphael?fref=ts
NDAYISENGA Pascal: https://www.facebook.com/pascal.ndayisenga?fref=ts
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Articles and other media products on Batwa's Culture and Art will be produced through Story telling, Messages, Poems, Art productions and news and widespread through out the rest of the community in form of Videos, Audio records and Photos using CDs, DVDs, K7, Flash disks or as colored printed materials . Each article will treat specific subject hindering the good development of Batwa's in Burundi and will be informative in nature to develop awareness and good understanding from others. Short description in abstract format will be attached to each Article or media product including: Title or Subject, Background and Aim.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established or plan to establish that will contribute to the success of the project.
A linkage between me and the target participants exist since 2005 when i started working as a Clinical officer in rural setting and thereafter as a Community health technician who works in remote settings with community relay including Batwa Community. I am linked with Batwas through Community health activities that i carry on a regular basis, Their membership to the Health Committee Community health worker's group in my catchment area. I am also in connection with this community through the Stop AIDS Youth Clubs to which i am the mentor and trainer.
I am also in collaboration with certain Change makers from Batwas as friends of mine and through outreach activities carried out by my partners who will assist in the implementation of this project.
How many participants do you think will be trained in your project?
In total, we plan to train 50 Change Makers(Imboneza) and 40 in minimum. Selection of Talented individuals will be made by Batwa's local leaders. Those selected for training and in collaboration with their local leaders will be integrated in each step of the project implementation including Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting(MER). According to their performance, each participant will be given a recognition certificate and will be acknowledged up to their communal leaders(level).
Describe which technologies, tools, and media you will focus on when training participants.
- Five training workshops will be done using Flip charts, Marker pens, Computer connected to internet using Modem, Mobile phones and Digital Cameras. I am trained and have hands on experience(8 years) using Internet and other media tools like: Computer, Digital cameras, Mobile phones and other software. My partners are skilled in Social media use blogging, website creation and management, Information and Telecommunication including internet.
-This is the appropriate technology since that it responds to the need and expectations of participants and will fill their gap in Media skills.
Describe the facilities where you will hold the workshops.
Workshop venue will be equipped with 1Laptop and 1 Minilaptop, Internet access using USB Modems and Solar Power. No projector will be used.
Other equipment will include, Flip charts, Maker pens and Bloc Notes.
What is your current relationship with the community with whom you plan to work? What makes you the most appropriate individual or organization to implement this project?
I am a Community health technician and Clinical officer working closely and regularly with Community including this minority indigenous community of Batwas”Pygmies” for community health issues.
I have always been in contact with my clients who come from various ethnicity or clans. As an health professional, People in my catchment area where the project will be implemented have always looked for our assistance to resolve their health issues and with this project i hope it will be an added value.
What specific challenges do you expect to face when planning and implementing your project?
Education level will be the most challenge that this project may face as many of Batwas are illiterates. But we are well prepared to cope with this situation. Participants to be trained will have minimum skills in reading and writing. Produced Articles will be written or commented in local language and will be produced in forms of Videos or Audios or Photos to maximize the understanding.
How will you measure and evaluate the project’s impact, specifically: your primary participants, the wider regional community, or the global digital community?
-During training, there will be pre and post-tests and participants will be asked to evaluate the training sessions using framed questionnaire
-Practice sessions will take place to join theory to practice
-Randomized Community based Interviews will be performed to evaluate the project's impact on community level targeting both community leaders and other people
-During community awareness sessions, participants will be asked the views and comments at the end of each session
If your project were to be selected as a Rising Voices grantee, what would be the general timeline of project activities in 2014?
If selected, i propose the following timeline for the project's implementation:
• May 2014: Initial contacts with local administration, Beneficiary leaders and selection of potential candidates for training
• June 2014: Training sessions begin
• July 201: Practical exercises followed by Community visits(Field visits) and meetings with Batwa's community
• August-September 2014:Video and Audio recording including photography
• October-November 2014: Community based Media diffusion and Online median diffusion of all produced Videos, Audios and Photos
• December 2014: Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Report(MER).
Detail a specific budget of up to $2,500 USD for operating costs.
1. 3 Digital Cameras+ 1Photo printer+ necessary devices or materials e.g CDs, DVDs: 700 USD
2. 1 Modem for internet access: 50 USD
3. 1 Minilaptop: 500 USD
4. Meals, participant's stipends(perdiems), training venue hire and trainer's Honorarium: 400 USD
5. Travel costs for project's execution: 250
6. Internet access and digital Production: 250 USD
7. Evaluation and report: 50 USD
Besides the microgrant funding, what other support can Rising Voices provide for your project to ensure its success?
I would like to have technical support on Media production and diffusion adapted to my project and if possible have some more materials.
Contact name
Ciza Bonne
Organization
YOWLI Burundi