The Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance (ACHA) in cooperation with SXM DOET (a national volunteer initiative) and the National Commission of the UNESCO (UNESCO) is hosting arts competition on the theme: Reconnecting Caribbean with Africa.
Students between ages 10-18 have been invited via the various schools on the island to participate in arts competition. Students can express this theme in short story, essay, poetry, dance, or in visual arts.
All entries should show how Africans contributed to cultural, economic, technological, and environmental issues. Their entry should exhibit the breadth and depth of their research. Eligible contestants will be judged on criteria including originality, creativity, and impact.
All schools are encouraged to participate. The amount of talent on St. Maarten, especially among the student population is admirable and board members of ACHA are excited to see what creative forms of expression these students will come up with. Entries so far have been quite creative and include dance and poetry.
One of the reasons that ACHA decided to do such a contest in an artistic form is to dispel many of the negative stereotypes the public and students have about Africa and African people. Instead of seeing Africa as an impoverished continent filled with political challenges, this contest affords the students to see the mirage of wonderful contributions that have been to mankind from Africans in every sphere of society.
To encourage more student participation, the president of ACHA, Mrs. Okama Brook, has embarked on a school tour visiting various secondary schools in particular, to explain the contest rules and criteria on which they would be judged.
The contest will conclude on April 7, 2015 at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, where ACHA in cooperation with SXM DOET and the National Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO) launched St. Maarten’s first African Resource Center.
Winners will be announced at the celebration of ACHA’s 1st year anniversary on April 9, 2015. This celebration will also highlight some of ACHA’s plans in the near future. For more information can be accessed atwww.afrocaribbeanalliance.orgor like Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance on Facebook or email ng****@gm***.com.