The expressions on the faces of the children are evidence enough; storytelling as a vehicle for transformation amongst children up to the age of twelve is an effective and powerful tool for teachers and parents alike.

Idakeda recently began a storytelling programme in schools as a counter to the culture of violence, confrontation and preference for alien cultures currently prevalent in our school environment. The initiative, based on the original stories of Eintou Pearl Springer, is designed to achieve very specific grounding for children aged 7-11years old in the culture and history of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Idakeda team will deal with a number of the issues facing young people today, such as lack of self-esteem and sense of self, inability to deal with differences or manage conflict and absence of respect for elders and authority. Eintou herself is telling the stories, supported by Dara for movement and song.

Research has shown that is it easier to introduce new concepts and modes of thought to children at this age. As such, the use of the story in an entertaining and non-threatening format to impart complex ideas and information will ensure that they children retain the valuable lessons. Additionally, our approach is one that does not cause the young mind to feel preached at, lectured to overwhelmed or alienated.

We give thanks that we have the talent, commitment and dedication of performers Redman, the Master Drummer and Spoken Word Poet Muhammad Muwakil, recently with us on stage in the critically acclaimed ‘I, Hyarima'.

Thus far, the teachers are very pleased with our intervention strategies and we have discovered drummers, dancers, singers and musicians throughout the school population!

Keep checking the site as we upload photos and comments, and as always –

 Stay with us on our journey …