Learn more about various African traditions and social issues after Thanksgiving break when two classes of Periclean Scholars host “Footprints of Africa,” a five-day series of events aimed at making Elon University students more informed global citizens.
The series, which runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 1, culminates with a talk by Anita Isaacs, an HIV/AIDS activist from Namibia featured in a documentary filmed by a Periclean Scholars class that made the plight of the disease in Africa the focus of their studies and advocacy.
Isaacs was recently named one of 14 recipients of the World YWCA Women Leading Change Award. Fluent in English, Afrikaans, and Ndonga, the renowned activist has a diploma in political studies from Cuba. But the “Footprints” program features more than simply information about AIDS – it also teaches world awareness.
“The event’s importance is in the opportunity to become more informed global citizens, to learn about Africa, and to help make a difference in the lives of Africans through donations and purchases,” said Heidi Frontani, an associate professor of geography and mentor to the Periclean Scholars Class of 2010. “Especially around Thanksgiving, it is important to reflect upon what we have and to offer friendship and support to those who were not born into families with as many financial advantages.”
“Footprints of Africa” was first organized in 2002. Because of the logistics in organizing the multiple speakers and events, it wasn’t until 2007 that the Periclean Scholars classes of 2009 and 2010 were able to schedule another program. The weeklong series is co-sponsored by International Studies, BCS and the Department of History and Geography.
A Fund for Excellence Grant secured by the Class of 2010 provided most of the funding for the 2007 event.
A schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007
Look for our tables at College Coffee at 9:40 a.m.
Craft items and event T-shirts will be on sale, informational brochures on our campaigns to build a rural health center in Kpoeta, Ghana, support a Heifer International initiative for rural development in Sokode, Ghana, and support rural development in Zambia will be available. If you have children’s books (K-6) to donate please bring them.
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007
‘Testing Positive’ and Other Films, The Zone, Moseley Center, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
View films made by the Periclean Scholars’ Class of 2006 in collaboration with the School of Communications. Learn about the Periclean Scholars program and HIV/AIDS in Africa and beyond. The event is free, but donations to support development projects in Ghana and Zambia are welcome.
Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007
Beading Tables, Commuter Lounge, Moseley Center, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Learn to make beaded jewelry and how bargaining works in many African countries. Craft items will be for sale.
The History of Ghana, a talk by Dr. Roger Gocking, Yeager Hall, 10:30 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
Bring your class or come on your own. Understand Ghana’s importance in Africa’s decolonization from an expert on Ghana. See hundreds of images of Ghana. Historian Dr. Roger Gocking is former chair of the Ghana Studies Council and currently teaches at Mercy College in New York.
African Dance Lessons by the Healing Force, McKinnon Hall, 2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Love to dance or want to learn how? Take a free dance lesson from the internationally known, Winston-Salem-based dance group the Healing Force. Donations for development in Ghana and Zambia are welcome.
African Dance Performance by the Healing Force, McKinnon Hall, 5-6 p.m.
Come view a high energy dance performance by the impressive the Healing Force. The event is free, but donations to support development projects in Ghana and Zambia are welcome.
Friendship Dance for Africa with live music by Different Drum, McKinnon Hall, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Get up and dance or just listen to the sounds of Different Drum following the university’s annual lighting of the luminarias. Led by award-winning composer Alex Weiss, Different Drum brings you the sounds of Africa and the Americas. Calypsos, Brazilian Sambas and South African Township music are all a part of Different Drum’s repertoire. A modest minimum donation is required for entry. All donations support development projects in Ghana and Zambia.
Friday, Nov. 30, 2007
Read for Africa, Fireside Lounge, Moseley Center, 12-2 p.m.
Share your favorite book, short story, poem or other writing by an African author, or just listen to others read short selections which have touched them in some way. The event is free, but donations to support development projects in Ghana and Zambia are welcome.
African Fashion Show, McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center, 1:30-3 p.m.
Watch student, faculty and staff models show off their outfits from Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, Malawi, and other African countries. Learn the meaning behind the colors, patterns, and manner of wearing different outfits. The event is free, but donations to support development projects in Ghana and Zambia are welcome.
West African Dinner #1, Isabella Cannon Room, Center for the Arts, 4-5:30 p.m.
Enjoy foods from Ghana and Senegal! Menu includes: fried plantains, Jollof rice, groundnut stew, salad, bissap (hibiscus flower tea), and beignet for dessert. Tickets for the dinner will be on sale Nov. 28-30 in Moseley Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. We are asking for a minimum donation of $5, but would appreciate whatever you can afford. All proceeds go to help support our development projects.
West African Dinner #2, Isabella Cannon Room, Center for the Arts, 6:30-8 p.m.
Menu and ticket sales are the same as for dinner #1. We can seat around 40 people per dinner. A poster display showcasing African cultures and issues will run concurrently with each of the two buffet dinners.
Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007
Meet African immigrants living in NC, the Zone, Moseley, 4-6 p.m.
Hundreds of Africans live in the Triad. Come hear their stories, learn about their cultures, and sample foods from their home countries.
Namibian Anita Isaacs on World AIDS Day, Yeager Hall, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Anita Isaacs is an HIV positive AIDS activist who experienced the oppression of colonial rule in Namibia, went into exile in bordering Angola and helped in that country’s fight for independence. Isaacs was recently named one of 14 recipients of the World YWCA Women Leading Change Award. Isaacs is fluent in English, Afrikaans, and Ndonga and has a diploma in political studies from Cuba. Her talk is free, but Isaacs will be bringing clothing from Namibia for sale to support HIV/AIDS awareness in her country.
SUBlive’s Battle of the Bands: Ghana-palooza, McKinnon Hall, 8-11 p.m.
The annual Battle of the Bands is getting an African twist. As always, vote for your favorite band, this time, funds from the event will help support development projects in Ghana.