It takes a village...
- atozofeducation
- Oct 20, 2017
- 2 min read
There is a traditional African saying that goes:
"It takes a village to
raise a child"
But what if your village was attacked, your home destroyed and your family gone ?
Who becomes your "village" ?
The notion of "village" or "community" is very strong in Africa and in many other countries. Families share shelter food and clothing. They work closely together for the benefit of everyone. Parents are not the only ones who raise and educate their children. The responsibility also lies with the Grandparents and extended family. This way, the child has many role models to learn from and can feel loved , secure and supported by everyone in the community or "village". When things go wrong, the village mentality takes over and support is close by.
And sometimes, things can go wrong....very wrong.
Wars, displacement and disasters can contribute to the upheaval of a "village" , but, as I have noticed in my learning about the displaced persons in Muna Garage IDP Camp in Nigeria, the community naturally bands together to assist each other.Children who have lost parents are taken in , cared for, and fed by other families. Elderly folk are offered shelter and are having their feet washed for prayers by people they have just met. Large families are squeezing "just one more child" onto a mat the size of a small picnic rug, so that that child can sleep safe at night.
Having a "village" to look after you is vital in contributing to your self worth and survival. In modern times we often struggle to find our "village". If you left home to move interstate, or overseas, it takes effort to find another community to be part of and support us in times of need. The lack of a "village" in your life during these periods can often lead to feelings of isolation and confusion. Who can you turn to? Where can you find help?
As a new learner,in an unknown space, I have had to find my "village". Through the e space, through Twitter and through this blog, all my colleagues in EDFD459 have formed a Community of Practice that has evolved and become my "village". It is a space where I can ask questions, be educated and feel empowered. I can be supported and also BE a support. We are there for each other...not just for ourselves. As a "village" we are all creating individual Learning Spaces to educate students who find themselves in a site of global crisis. And, as all good villagers do, we are assisting in each other in the building of these spaces.
One of my colleagues recently asked us all to assist her in the creation of her space....a space where young children in crisis can watch and listen to stories being read to them on video. We were all asked to tape ourselves reading a book. Below is my contribution to that space reading Guess How Much I Love You.
It's me assisting my "village".
You can read more about Emma's space in action on her blog....
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