Education Through Arts & Culture -
'ETAC'-
A Bilingual Language..
The arts are a language spoken by all in some form or another, cutting through individual differences in culture, class, education and ability. Amanzi Healing Foundation stand alongside those who have chosen to broaden the term 'arts' by using music, poetry, drumming, storytelling and the African martial art Ka-Zimba Ngoma as their vehicle for Change.
The effects of ETAC
The principle concept behind Education Through Arts & Culture (ETAC) is using the arts as an effective way of promoting learning. Turning abstract notions into concrete reality, and retain people's interest longer.
Incorporating many styles of learning, auditory, visual or haptic (tactile) research has shown that learning through the arts can result in greater academic achievement and higher test results. Other studies have found that their usage improved concentration, discipline, cooperation, empathy, understanding, and verbal proficiency.
Arts to transform lives..
We wholly believe in the power of the arts to transform lives, stimulate the mind, body and spirit. The targeted groups are often those living on the fringes of society - either they have fallen through the cracks of the system, been abandoned by society, or have purposefully disengaged themselves from it. This includes cultural groups, youth who have been excluded from education, refugees, asylum seekers, those in prison, in mental institutions, the elderly, and other special needs.
Informal style of teaching..
Often these types of groups are the ones that benefit most from a more informal interactive style of teaching. AHF practitioners have recorded many instances when a user has demonstrated an incredible aptitude for learning, where previously he or she had been thought of as incapable or unintelligent. By making learning fun and informal, AHF succeed in altering people's negative perception of education as being 'too hard' or 'not for them'. One term often associated with Amanzis' particular teaching style is 'Edutainment'.
Music & Rhythm..
Music, and particularly rhythm, are favored means AHF uses in their workshops. According to the director Asafo Gyata, learning to interlock and communicate through rhythm is one of the key components to his work;
"Understanding what a person is saying, feeling, thinking, with very little use of words, becomes more apparent when we relax and focus on the music that they are playing, the rhythm they beat ,the way they express themselves."
Positive channel..
Using melody African percussion and free-style improvisation, workshop leaders provide a creative, inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone is encouraged to have fun and positively channel their creativity, expression and energy.
