!  

ANCC  

and  

Newark, New Jersey U.S.A.  

Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa  

Oiada International PROGRAMS  

 

OIADA  INTERNATIONAL  Oiada International Inc is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Since 1997, Oiada has been dedicated to providing educational programs and services that empower students to become global citizens. Oiada’s latest project is the Akoma Ntoso Cultural Centers (ANCC). The ANCC is currently connecting students in the U.S. and Africa through 21st century telepresence technology. The primary goal of the ANCC is to increase student test scores, decrease drop-out rates and to reduce the achievement gap of schools. Through “LIVE” face to face educational and cultural exchanges, students become excited about learning. Our telepresence centers bring the classroom to life for the students while at the same time serving to increase their language arts, writing, public speaking, presentation, research, foreign language and critical thinking skills. We are an invaluable resource to teachers who are interested in accelerated learning methods, promoting global and experiential learning. We empower students to take charge of their educational experiences and assist them in their preparation for college and the work force. Our distance learning exchange programs have inspired students and teachers on several continents to embrace new and unique ways of learning and sharing. Our programs not only provide educational lessons on an international platform but develop cultural awareness, relationships and practical life lessons through “LIVE” hands-on experiences. Oiada also provides customized programs at your request to assist you in achieving your educational goals.

For more information please contact us at: 973-732-3188 or info@oiadaintl.org

Program  Description  

Traditional Food Preparation  

Oiada International would like to provide a demonstration of how to prepare  foods indigenous to Ghana. The interactive session will include a  demonstration of traditional techniques with common foods such as Cassava,  Plantain, FuFu and Banku.  

Our goal is to expose students to other cultures while at the same time teaching them to appreciate the unique aspects of their own culture. The sharing of food and facts is conducted in a fun way that provides a very rewarding cultural    exchange.  

Program Format   1. Introductions and Opening Song  2. Summary and introduction of foods that are indigenous to Ghana  3. Demonstration of traditional techniques of food preparation:   a. Banku   b. Fufu  4. Student information Exchange  5. Wrap up/Review  

The participants will: -­‐Learn about African culture through native foods  -­‐Share similarities and differences of how food is prepared in the US vs.   Ghana  -­‐Engage in a discussion  

Objectives  

Create African Arts and Crafts  Program  Description  

Oiada International would like to provide an interactive educational session on  dyeing cloths with Adinkra symbols that have been part of the Ghanaian  culture for centuries. The first part of the session will teach the history  and significance of the symbols and their impact on the Ghanaian culture  today. The second part of the session will provide a demonstration on cloth  dyeing. The third part will feature a “Show and Tell” for both sides to present the  final product. Finally, the instructors of Oiada International will teach the  students how to traditionally wrap their new garments. Requestors have the  option to do this in a one-hour session or a three-session series.  

Our goal is to expose students to other cultures while teaching them to appreciate the unique features of their own culture and cultures  around the world as a central part of their curriculum. The sharing of arts and  crafts from different cultures provides for a very rewarding cultural exchange  experience.  

Program Format   1. Introductions and Opening Song  2. Summary and introduction of Ghana’s Adinkra symbols  3. Demonstration of material dyeing  4. Exchange of final garments with discussions  5. Garment Wrapping/Fashion Show  6. Wrap up/Review  

The participants will:  -Learn about the culture of Ghana through the Adinkra symbols  -Actively participate in arts and crafts  -Learn the technique of the traditional wrap  -Engage in a discussion  

Objectives  

Learn African Music  

Program  Description  

Oiada International would like to take a trip through time to experience the  history of music via theatrical performance, skits and “LIVE” interaction with  students. Music is an international form of communication that can be  understood and expressed beyond the limitations of language. In some  African and Asian cultures, there is no word associated with the word  “music” because it is so closely integrated with the daily lives of people!  

Our goal is to teach students to learn and appreciate their culture and cultures  around the world as a central part of their curriculum. The sharing of music  from different cultures provides for a very rewarding cultural exchange  experience.  

Program Format   1. Introductions and Opening Song  2. Performance Skits on the History of Music in Africa, Asia, and America  3. Discussion on impact and use of music today, globally  4. Round table discussion  5. Student information exchange  6. Songs and Dance expression exchange  7. Wrap up/Review  

The participants will:  -Participate in a skit about the history and origins of music in the African   culture or  -Participate in a skit about the history of music used by slaves in America as a   form of secret communication.  -Engage in a discussion.  -Engage in sharing music (songs will be taught and/or exchanged).  

Objectives  

Comparing Cultures  Program  Description  

The staff and professionals of Oiada International are at your disposal in this  program. Spend time talking with and interviewing regional experts and  students from Ghana on a topic(s) of your choice. We welcome  suggestions for other topics/specialties to serve your class’ area of interest.  Sample topics may include:  

Sociology  • Cultural Enlightenment - Comparing cultures, food, pastimes, sports, and music etc.  • Students learn the meaning of Adinkra symbols. The Adinkra symbols reflect a system of human   values that are universal: family, integrity, tolerance, harmony, determination, and protection among   many others.  • Ghana’s Educational System - Comparing curriculums and everyday school life. Are there Gangs   and/or bullying in school?  • Morality - Comparing moral issues such as corporal punishment. Comparing how the two societies   deal with crime. Comparing how children are raised with regards to respecting elders and authority.  • Meet African royalty - African Kings and Queens still exist and have a functioning role in   government.  • Religion- How it affects society socially, economically and politically?  

History  • The impact of slavery on Africa and America - Getting insight from Ghanaians on how the slave   trade affected their country and personal lives.  • Governmental institutions and policies - Compare past Imperialism and present day Democracy.  • Tour of the Cape Coast Slave Castles - Like the tour President Obama took in 2009 and experience   what life was like inside the dungeon of the Cape Coast Castle.  • Dramatic Reenactments - Historical events in African and African American History reenacted   “LIVE”.  

Arts/Crafts/Performing Arts  • The effect of music videos and television on children’s morals. “LIVE” music and dance   performances.  • Meet modern day craftsmen. Learn how they ply their trade. Trades include woodcarving, Kente cloth weaving and gold metallurgy.  

World Languages  • Introductory Language session - Students will learn some basics of a Ghanaian language including   how Ghanaians choose their names, their meaning and significance.  

Tour The Cape Coast Slave Dungeon  

Program  Description  

Experience what life was like inside the dungeon of the Cape Coast Castle.  See the cramped and grotesque conditions the enslaved Africans were forced  to endure before being loaded onto ships destined for the Western world. Hear  the stories of the horrors of what they experienced during months and years in  these dungeons from some of the descendants of the enslaved Ghanaians. You  will be able to ask questions during our program as you learn about the Cape Coast  Dungeons.  

The Cape Coast Castle or dungeon was built principally for commercial  trading purposes, initially between the "natives" (as the local people were then  called) and the European traders who came to the African shores. The  Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Ghana. They named the place  they landed "Elmina" (from the Portuguese word mina, meaning a gold mine)  and the country, the "Gold Coast," because of the abundance of gold dust they  found on the land.  

These forts were centers for trading gold and ivory for spices and other goods.  Later on, the trade of human beings took over as the primary focus of these  forts until slavery was abolished.  

A quote on the wall of the Cape Coast dungeon reads “In Everlasting Memory  of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those  who return find their roots. May humanity never again perpetuate such  injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.”  

Program Format   1. This program begins with the ANCC theme song.  2. We give the history/origin of the Cape Coast Slave Castles/Dungeons  3. We take a tour of the Cape Coast dungeons and hear accounts from the   African descendants  4. Participants are encouraged to ask questions along the tour  5. Feedback from all participants in the US and Ghana  

 

Stop Bullying Through Appreciation NOT Tolerance  

Program  Description  

Bullying can start as early as kindergarten and continue up until adulthood in  the workplace. There are myriad reasons why some people bully.  -Power, Recognition, Acceptance, “Being Cool”  - Low Self Esteem/Insecurities  -Poor Social Skills  -Racism  

Tolerance for people who are different is usually what is taught. Tolerance is  defined as:  1. the capacity to endure pain or hardship  2. sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or   conflicting with one's own  

Basically a person is “enduring” the other person. They may not express it  openly but internally they are just “putting up” with that person.  

Our approach is to teach Appreciation NOT Tolerance. Appreciation of what  makes us similar rather than focusing on what makes us different.  Appreciation is defined as: sensitive awareness; recognition of attractive  values  

Our goal is to teach students to look at similarities first. This will build an  appreciation for that person. When a person recognizes an attractive value of  the other person, they will focus on that and then the differences will not  matter. They may even see what certain differences can benefit them. This first  starts with having an appreciation for one’s self. If you respect and appreciate  who you are and what you have to offer you can then appreciate someone else.  This can be achieved through understanding one’s culture as well as learning  about another’s culture. Our experiences support the belief that bullying,  harassment, aggression and other misbehavior is much less likely to occur  when students learn to appreciate their culture and cultures around the world  as a central part of their curriculum.