@TuzinaDance, is an arts exchange program in partnership with ChildVoice International and seeks to establish a personal connection with war-affected communities in East and Central Africa and equip them to use dance to work through trauma.

 A group of five dedicated students of the Dance BFA program and a filmmaker from Columbia University, Tuzina is united in the vision of translating the joy and beauty of dance into meeting the basic needs of child soldiers, orphans, and underprivileged children in these post-conflict regions.

From May 25th to June 13th, they will be traveling to Lukodi, Uganda to collaborate in dance classes and performances with former child wives and children of the surrounding communities. In preparation for the trip, they are holding fundraising performances not only in the hope of receiving donations, but also to raise awareness about the way in which previous attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army continue to affect the civilians of Lukodi and its surrounding communities.

The long-term vision of Tuzina is to create a cross-cultural exchange in which company performances here in New York directly support and educate children of post-conflict regions through the establishment of arts schools. Thus empowerment is reached on two levels: empowering American audiences to promote social justice and renewal through attending performances while simultaneously empowering African children to use dance to celebrate their culture and work through trauma.

 Their immediate arts exchange is the first step of Tuzina’s long-term goal of establishing rehabilitative arts schools. It will be used to inform curriculum, faculty members, and teaching styles.

“We wish to take a holistic approach in educating and meeting the needs of these children, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Our hope is to found a company based out of the arts schools we develop that will perform internationally to keep the cross-cultural tradition of empowerment and storytelling alive.” -   KateAshley Clarke (Tanzina team member)

Want to support or learn more about Tuzina?
 
Please visit: http://www.tuzina.org/

 

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