Fun and Education For All The Family
Since 2009 Big Lottery has funded IROKO Family Edutainment project under its Family Learning Programme.
IROKO Family Edutainment Project used arts and crafts, storytelling, music, dance, clay modeling, tie and dye and batik making to enhance learning and interaction between parents, grandparents and children aged 5 – 16. It particularly targeted those in need of a different approach to learning or acquiring life skills in a fun, relaxed and a non-judgemental environment.
The four year project (2009 – 2013) led to exhibitions and showcases. A video of which can be viewedhere.
Feedback from the Exhibitions and Showcases
“… IROKO have the perfect formula for an entertaining and educational activity.
My kids loved it.”
Parent
“We’re very honoured to have been invited by IROKO Theatre Company, I hope that this company will grow.”
Mayor of Barking & Dagenham, Hardial Singh Rai
“Valence Library is situated in one of our deprived areas. To say this event of tie dyeing was a success is an understatement. The event was so well attend it spilled out of the children’s area into the adult and older people’s areas. As team leader for this library I have been begging for their return. So come back and see us again Iroko everyone asking for you.”
Dawn Riches, Valence Library
“IROKO is doing a wonderful job here, both of my boys really enjoyed it.”
Parent
“It was such a great day for all the library members: families with children who came especially for Iroko event, students who were studying upstairs, elderly who came to borrow some books, people passing by and decided to pop in because they heard the sound of drums, children who wandered in the area and had nothing to do…. Everyone was welcome… no one excluded … And that is what makes this project special… unique …amazing…”
Angelica, Dagenham Library
“It’s really difficult to find wvents where an adult and their child can enjoy themselves, especially when they are free, so thank you so much.”
Parent
“At Valence the attendance for all sessions was very high; due to the nature of the project more dads attended the sessions. One of the mothers said she always wanted to try clay modelling with her children but did not feel confident to try it until she joined the Iroko programme.”
Debbie Charlton
“It was free, local, and easly accessible. We had very positive feedback from everyone who attended. The big Showcase finale at Valance Library made this project an even bigger success. Overall, the most significant achievement has been in respect of families learning together… some of the participants never worked/explored with materials provided such as air drying clay, dyes, drums, etc. It really helped parents to boost their confidence in educating their children through art and vibrant and colourful African culture.”
Angelica Gedviliene
To find out more about the project, please download thePDF file.
