Culture Kids is a programme of cultural education, self-esteem coaching and social engagement through which our students will develop their creativity and awareness. They will become less inhibited by temporary limitations and increasingly certain of the vital role they will play in tomorrows Gambia – and in the world.

Context
The Gambia’s greatest asset is its rich culture, its people and the prevailing spirit of peaceful coexistence within a diverse population – 60 percent of which are children.
The Culture Kids programme aims to empower the children and youth of The Gambia with the confidence that they can fulfill their dreams regardless of their circumstances.
A number of factors make The Gambia the ideal launch pad for the Culture Kids programme.The rich and unique cultural heritage of the region is conducive to creative learning and provides a rock-solid foundation for a community-anchored approach.

Migration vs. local development
Problematic urbanization and migration has become sympto- matic of the challenges that face the region and the poorer countries across the world in general.The young leave their villages behind in favor of the major cities or other continents where all to many end up struggling to get by. Giving the youth of the nation good reasons and the necessary tools to develop their local communities instead of migrating, will yield massive benefits on a local, national and global scale.

Peaceful coexistence
The prevailing spirit of tolerance and dialogue within a country that comprises fifteen diverse cultural groups, makes The Gambia the perfect setting for teaching, creative learning and development.

Tourism and export potential
Culture is key to sound, high-value tourism and export. Giving The Gambia’s most valuable natural resource - its people, especially the youth - top priority, will supply the basis for a fu- ture of sustainable tourism and industry now and in the future.

The factors conducive to the development and success of the Culture Kids project in The Gambia are manifold.We have touched upon the unique national character and culture, the precious natural resource constituted by a young population, but the individual youth, their families and local community, will not reap the benefits alone.

In the Culture Kids programme, together, we are laying the foundation for a unique, national strategy that will empower the people of The Gambia as well as private enterprise in the region.The tourism industry, exports in general and specifically of arts, crafts and culture will enjoy the benefits of a strong international image of The Gambia.

Common benefits
Having operated in The Gambia for fifteen years, Ecco International and Ecco Gambia have gained valuable insights into the culture, people and spirit of the nation.
The Culture Kids programme will strengthen the young generation’s foundation of norms, values, customs and inter-cultural skill already present in The Gambian society.

Participation benefits not only the children in the programme, but:

Teachers, coordinators, musicians

• Local communities and community based organisations (CBOs)
• Traditional musicians, dancers, and storytellers.
• Education sector.
• Culture sector
• Entertainment sector
• NGOs
• Private business sector

Pilot project
Rooted in the 2015 Millennium development goals and the International Convention for the Rights of Children Ecco launched the Culture Kids programme in 2009 with the support of UNESCO.

In November 2009 we ran a one-week pilot programme funded by UNESCO. Ecco teachers led courses in traditional music, dance and storytelling. Ecco coaches led training in self-esteem and creative thinking. Cleaning up the Berefret camp-grounds constituted the social-engagement part of the pilot.
The pilot was a resounding success, with positive feedback from teachers, community and the very first group of Culture Kids.