Economic challenges in Zimbabwe have left young people frustrated and discouraged, turning to dangerous coping mechanisms (alcohol, drugs, crime). Engaging 100 youth (30 boys, 70 girls) in Arts workshops (dancing, acting, visual arts) will give them a platform to express and work through their frustrations, while providing social entrepreneurship skills to earn a living and impact their communities.
Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate of over 90%, and a population with 61% below the age of 24. This shows an urgent immediate and future problem of youth unemployment, frustration and possibilities of unrest. ORAP is constantly looking for ways to engage young people, and has used sport for youth development. Some youths are not interested in sport, and the arts will give them the platform to participate, learn critical life skills, and start their own income generating projects
Engaging 100 youth in Bulawayo will give them the opportunity to (1) express and deal with their sources of discontent, and (2) find opportunities for employment in the Arts sector. ORAP has partners in the Arts industry who are eager to work with young people in various parts of the Arts sector - from performance, to management, administration, technology innovation, and others - to be able to earn a decent living. Access to incomes will allow youths to pursue their goals e.g. further education
The first 100 youth will be taught to mentor future groups, creating a long term and sustainable project. They will reach 300 other youths within the first 6 months. Youths have the potential to inspire meaningful change within their communities, through creatively providing a space to discuss and work through problems. Their social enterprises will allow them to solve community problems such as access to electricity (small scale solar stations), education support (extra lessons), and others.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
