Canada World Youth celebrates Stephenville
11/16/2007 12:32:09 PM
Stephenville is currently hosting a contingent of Canada World Youth (CWY) participants, who are decidedly making the most of their cross-cultural experience.
The group of nine youth from throughout Canada and nine youth from Ghana, Africa arrived August 29 and began volunteering at several businesses and organizations throughout the community. They quickly discovered a connection to the people and sites surrounding them and decided to showcase their inspiration in a visual art exhibit. Stephenville Through the Lens will open to the public at the Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre on November 17 at 7 p.m. and features images from Stephenville, Kippens and Port au Port.
CWY Project Supervisor Joe McLean (Canada) is in Stephenville with the participants, as is the CWY Project Supervisor Joseph Boateng (Ghana). They’ve accompanied the group but allow them to take the initiative in their volunteer work and on projects such as the art exhibit.
“This is a self-directed learning program,” says McLean. “Our objective is to simply initiate opportunity. The participants have taken their own creativity and skills and put them into this project… I’m as excited as anybody to see it.”
McLean says the basic idea of the art exhibit is to explore Stephenville from multiple perspectives.
“We look forward to seeing the results… it shows a great deal of diversity in this community and sometimes it takes these events to demonstrate that.”
Natasha Miranda is one of four in the CWY group who are heading up the project. She is from Guelph, Ontario and is a member of the Canadian contingent.
“We have been very inspired by this place and the people in the community and surrounding area. Actually, many people in the community and at College of the North Atlantic have been involved,” says Miranda, “and this is really a community project.”
Fellow organizer Jordan Billie Zizi Watchel is from Edmonton. She says they hope to give back to the community that has given so much to them.
“We hope that people can see their community through another person’s eyes,” says Watchel. “Things you would normally walk by daily and not notice.”
It isn’t the first time Stephenville has been host to CWY. The town was chosen out of all of Canada because of the warm reception and success of a previous hosting.
“I can tell you that CWY has returned to Stephenville because of the success of a Jamaican cultural exchange several years ago,” reveals McLean. “Stephenville has demonstrated that they are able to deal with the program quite well…that’s why we’re here.”
The 18 participants and their work placements include: Leila Francoeur-Gilbert and Sharron Awotwe-Pratt (Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital), Abigail Nyarko and Tantine Umurerwa (Acadian Village), Ethan Garber and Bernard Brown (Stephenville Middle School), Marcus Luk and Nana Ama Addae (Long Range Regional Economic Development Board), Philip Adu Nunoo and David McDonald (Stephenville Theatre Festival), Jordan Watchel, Benjamin Agbley, Natasha Miranda and Otoo Richard (College of the North Atlantic), Richmond Kofi and Dimitri Baussan (Stephenville High School) and Rabiatu Briamah and Rahul Abedin (Community Education Network). The group will be in Stephenville until December 5, at which time they move on to Ghana for the second half of their cross-cultural program.
“This is a program on the go! They will replicate the experience in the exchange country, which will add greatly to the cross cultural experience,” says McLean.
He says the reciprocal nature makes it quite unique – half of the placement is in Canada, with each Canadian participant paired with a Ghanaian counterpart, and the second portion takes place in Ghana, giving them an opportunity to showcase their country to Canadians.
“I have a counterpart as well, Joseph Boateng… we work in equal partnership. Although Joseph and I are responsible, this is a self-directed program… the participants deserve the credit.”
The art exhibit isn’t the only activity presented by CWY during their visit. Each Wednesday evening at 8 p.m., the group hosts an educational activity day called Bringing it to the Community; it takes place at College of the North Atlantic’s L.A Bown Building. Group members research a particular topic pertaining to the area and present it to the community in a creative fashion. It can include theatrics, forums, and other creative themes and presentations that explore international issues.
“They really spice things up!” says McLean. “And we can bring this to you free of charge, due to generosity of the college.”
Recently, at the Bay St. George campus’ Coffee House produced by Music Industry & Performance (MIP) and Recording Arts students, the Ghanaian participants performed renditions of African dance, combined with a fashion show including their country’s traditional garb. Their performance was a hit.
“Their natural showmanship was incredible,” says MIP Coordinating Instructor Wade Pinhorn. “They were completely captivating in their confidence and sincere performance.”
The November 17 launch of Stephenville Through the Lens will include a welcome reception, a slide show and more Ghanaian drumming provided by CWY members, in addition to the art works mounted throughout the centre. The community is encouraged to attend the event, which is free of charge.
The last week of the CWY placement in late November will see a farewell gathering for the participants and the community.
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For more information contact:
Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
709 643.7928