Student Testimonies | Exchange Report | Exchange Video

Students and staff from Ombetja Yehinga Organization travel to Newham in East London.

Namibians in London

Following the research trip made by the Arts education team in February, the first pilot exchange was set up for June 2006.

Funds were raised from Newham ‘Arts and Events’, UNESCO and the British High Commission for 3 young people and 3 members of staff (including the director) of OYO to visit Newham for 10 days between June 11^th and 21^st 2006. The students attended workshops with Newham groups, rehearsed with Solid Harmony choir at NewVIc, shared their skills with primary children performing in the cross arts project, performed their Monologues based on sexual health awareness to several groups, including the ‘Healthy Schools team' at ‘Learning and Schools’ and the Youth Theatre Ensemble at NewVIc and finally performed at the Barbican as part of the Newham Arts Festival in June 2006 . The three young Namibians sang with 800 children the song that was taught in Namibia by the Arts teachers from London, and performed the song from Namibia that they taught Solid Harmony Community choir. The staff contributed to the planning, preparation and delivery of the Barbican Event of the Newham Arts festival. They also made a short film about their visit.

Student testimonies

“The impact the Namibian visitors had on me personally made me realise that l should appreciate the facilities and educational opportunities we have in this country. When l performed the song that talked AIDS and how people are suffering it had an impact on me because I have relatives that are going through the agony of HIV. I felt that it was now my responsibility to share the awareness of AIDS/HIV. Musically the Namibian visitors showed me that when making a song it has to have an impact and it opened my eyes that a few musicians are running away from creating music that will make an influence the youth of today. When l made them, l used to think its about trying to get a boyfriend and stuff like that. But now l can create music and tell people what l really feel inside.”

Michelle Matongi – 17 years old, student at NewVIc

"The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation came to our class and they were talking about what their organisation is about. They are originally located in Namiba; they came to England to perform in theatres and to tell us about Namibia. They perform singing, dancing and drama to give information and a message about the problems happening in Africa because of HIV/Aids. HIV and Aids target all ages and both sexes everyday and millions of people around the world suffer from it."

Sameer Khan - 17 years old, student at NewVIc

“When the people from Namibia came to England it made me more aware about how different their life is back there, but also how that no matter where we live we are all basically the same. I was able to talk to them about their life in Namibia and see whether they thought that English life was any different. I really enjoyed rehearsing and performing with them at the Barbican and visiting them at their hotel as it allowed me to talk to them more. They were constantly comparing about the way we walk so fast and it seems as though we are always in a rush to go no where. I really enjoyed performing one of their songs as it allowed me to see how disease and poverty can really destroy a community, but they were always upbeat. It made me appreciate how fortunate I am to not have to go through certain things which for them could be an everyday occurrence.”

Jessica Frimpong – 17 years old, student from Leyton College, singing at NewVIc.

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LiveEd Newham/OYO Exchange Report

Click here to download the LiveEd Newham/OYO Exchange Report in PDF format (391KB).

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