Support my YouTube Poetry Chanel on Africa

Africa in Verse is a YouTube channel that does what it says on the tin – it covers the entire continent in verse. 

Hi! I’m June, aka JJ, writer, researcher, and maverick poet. A few months ago I realised I was spending far too much time laughing at people on YouTube who, when stopped on the streets and asked about Africa, knew little or nothing. But then I quizzed my family and myself and realised, “Wait a minute - we’re all ignoramuses too!”

GREETINGS FROM ZAMBODIA

Nobody should seriously believe there’s a country in Africa called Zambodia. Africa has the 2nd largest population on the planet, yet even though it's full of military bases with state-of-the-art photography technology, it's as if the continent is invisible to social media.

I wanted to redress that imbalance. 

So I set out to improve my knowledge and share what I learned. Completely clueless about the mechanics, I set up a YouTube channel with a different strategy for learning. Poetry.

Research suggests that memory for poetry doesn’t decay over time in the way prose does. This is why we struggle to recall a paragraph of any subject we wrote about at school - yet can sing, word for word, a song we heard on the radio in our childhood. 

WHY I NEED YOUR SUPPORT

I do everything myself, including research, writing original poetry, and video production. Although it's done with passion, I'm no video producer, and this can be extremely time-consuming. Your support would really help me with time and access around:

• Research 
• Writing 
• Access to hi res materials 
• Marketing 

 WHAT WILL AiV DO FOR ME?

AiV is for all ages, and for anyone interested in Africa. All are welcome.  The information from my channel is designed to allow you to build your learning from the start. It could help you to:

• Enhance retention skills.
• Add extra knowledge skills to boost your career or job interview.
• Build confidence and knowledge.
• Strengthen family, peer, and intergenerational relationships.
• Enhance self-esteem.
• Promote greater cultural understanding. 
• Create opportunities for friendly discussion and debate. 

A FEW COMMENTS FROM YOUTUBE FEEDBACK

Here's a selection of unsolicited comments from YouTube viewers:

_________

"Love this!!! The narration was spot on and I really love how you showcased the other side of Africa, because leave it to the media and they only show the poor struggling side and the kids with potbellies and flies in their eyes. Great job spreading awareness and truth!" 

juliap.5461 (video - Europe is a Garden)

_________

"Outstanding! Your rhyme is genius. This series is so necessary for improving one's knowledge.  Have you considered some way to get it distributed for Black History Month? Would be invaluable. Thank you so much." 

ladydianaonline (video: Guess the Capital - Part 2)

_________

"Love this channel. So unique and refreshing."

bushmeatwarrior8432

AN UNTAPPED RESOURCE

Africa’s unique  historical, technological, and geopolitical position means that it's influenced events over thousands of years around the planet. There's a rich, untapped source of information for authors, playwrights, artists, bloggers, content creators and the film and music industry as well as many others. 

I aim to bring out some of these elements to highlight the beauty of this amazing, buried treasure of a continent. As the channel grows I aim to take it further by promotion to well-being groups, cultural groups, schools, colleges and visual arts/performance groups. A single penny can turn 99p into £1.00 so if you'd like to support me in this venture, any donation would be deeply appreciated. Thank you.