How does it work?
So you understand the purpose of the Culture Course and what it is… but how does it work? You will be undertaking cultural education sessions delivered by youth members of the community under four main themes of culture, all the way to the final showcase to complete the course at the end on a high. Read below for more details:
Themes
Four themes:
- Identity and Custom
- Perspective
- Art
- Food
These categories are not mutually exclusive as almost all of them will relate to at least another one of those categories. (Eg. Meke would come under the category ‘art’ but can easily also relate to identity and language, even food.)
What they can be used for, however, is structuring each week consistently with other projects whilst allowing for local variations on each category. If x2 sessions from all categories are hit and delivered, that will make up the successful completion of the course.
Each session may include a discussion element and then a practical element. Villages may choose which areas or sessions they feel most comfortable with delivering and talking about and select from those categories to create an itinerary. This will normally be agreed upon during the prep visit ahead of the team’s arrival.
Logistics
Time commitment – 2 hours per day, Monday – Friday x2 weeks (10 days)
Numbers – 1 project
- Team of 18-22 participants
- x2 Fijian Leaders, x2 international leaders
- 5 Community Youth Members
Donation to Youth Group – $2000
Delivery
x5 key youth members will be highlighted by the community during prep-visits. These will be consistent members who would be learning delivery. Any other youth are thoroughly encouraged to take part but we know that the core 5 will always be ready to get involved.
Community Youth are expected to lead sessions based on what they feel comfortable delivering and facilitating with the community and TP leaders are there to support. Discussions had with youth during prep visits to lay out and agree on an itinerary for the 10 days (+ weekends).
In addition, although they can have free creative license (there may be a unique tradition that they wish to include), to support and give some ideas, the manual will be beneficial providing not only an outline of the course, the purpose, but also plenty of session ideas to give them ideas and for them to use if they are ever stuck. These session plans will not be leading (not making every project a carbon copy of the other), every village is unique and can add its own flavour.
Completion
There are a couple of aspects to the way we end the course but the main aim is to demonstrate learning outcomes whilst feeling like a fitting end to the time in the village.
Completion Criteria
We believe it is beneficial to have both a practical element to completing the course as well as a reflective one… It combines both experiential learning and critical reflection.
- Showcase
Live performance of one of the ‘art’ components learnt: a learnt meke / vucu to the village at the end of project. If you take part, you have sealed off the experience.
This would coincide with a big grog session (celebration) and the official end of the project on the final night / final appropriate night as an official part of the project.
Purpose:
- To demonstrate commitment to the program
- To demonstrate appreciating and learning new skills
- Great fun.
- Top 3s
After the showcase to the village, each participant picks three main observations/appreciations of their experience in comparing their own culture with Fiji’s, expanding on what they have learnt. This may be shared with the village at the end of the project during a final celebration, taking turns to present to them. (Brownie points if shared in Fijian!)
The village youth delivering the sessions will also do the same. May include what they learnt during the experience and how they found delivering it.
Purpose
- Provides opportunity for critical reflection
- Practices public speaking
- Would ensure a fitting and heartfelt end to the project itself.