Returning the Rhythm: WAPPY Goes to Ghana

Aim

We’d like to take 24 WAPPY writers to Ghana for a literary event at the Ama Ata Aidoo Centre of Creative Writing and build wider links.

Greetings Friends

My name is Grace Quansah (aka ‘Akuba') and I am Director of WAPPY (WRITING, ACTING AND PUBLISHING PROJECT FOR YOUNGSTERS).   We’re  seeking funding to contribute to the return flight to Ghana to enable  24  talented young writers/artists, of African, Caribbean and dual heritage (ages 6-26), with 8 key creative figures, (Eric Huntley -WAPPY patron, Esther Ackah, Trudy Mensah,  Maureen Roberts, Aama Sade, Anjan Saha, Akuba, May Whyte & TUUP), and family/volunteers, to take part in a literary event headed by  Nana.S. Achampong at the Ama Ata Aidoo Centre of Creative Writing/AUCC during the October half-term.  This trip will not only inspire new writing during the journey, plus build links with local authors and organisations ( the Calabash Hub with Sista E and the Rita Marley Foundation) but provide our members with the opportunity to reclaim their historical roots and re-connect with African culture on a personal level, which will impact positively on them back in the UK.  

Apart from raising funds through Crowdfunder to first meet all or most of flight deposit of 1,410 (£30 x 47) by 12th March 2020 and a percentage of the flight costs for the youngsters, we will also approach several local businesses for assistance towards the cost of the trip, plus submit a bid to the Arts Council to help facilitate an art-making process project.  We’re also organising a Benefit musical event in August 2020

What is WAPPY? 

Described as the “United Nations of Children” by internationally acclaimed poet and literary critique, Professor Benjamin Zephaniah, WAPPY is an established social enterprise, founded as a community organisation with Ealing Council funding in 2008. We develop the creative expression skills of young people (4 to 26 years), from diverse cultural backgrounds, (through afterschool and holiday workshops), and train them to be skilled performers of their creativity, which they will later have published, exhibited or recorded. WAPPY also provides research and artist-interviewing experiences for our members, training and volunteering opportunities for anyone seeking work and career progression. Some members who have grown up with WAPPY also volunteer with us.  

Previously sponsored by Arts Council England, Help a Capital Child, Bogle L’Ouverture Publications, Big Lottery, Near Neighbours, the LMA, Brunel University and Random House Children’s Books (UK), and backed by several key public figures including, Benjamin Zephaniah, Baroness Eaton, Dr. Rupa Huq, MP, Eric and the late Jessica Huntley and actor, Will Mellor, for more than a decade we’ve been able us to make a difference in the lives of the children and young people we work with; from varying socio-economic backgrounds with a complexity of needs such as autism, childhood cancer, refugee children, Looked After minors, child bereavement and more. 

Martha Lambert (Service Development Officer, Ealing Libraries) and Sebastian Jenner (Research Engagement Project workshops Manager and Hillingdon Literary Festival Producer/Brunel University), are created opportunities for WAPPY to showcase the work created in Ghana and related for Black History Season and beyond.

WAPPY at the Grand Opening of Ealing Central Library, July 2019, Leader of Ealing Council, Julian Bell, holding WAPPY's Arts Council-funded anthology, 'Wonderful World of WAPPY: 10 Years of Inspirational Writing and Art by Over 100 Young Contributors.'

Your support will impact significantly on the lives of our British-born and raised youngsters, including sixteen year old WAPPY member who writes, “I'd love to go on a trip to Ghana because not only do I have a profound interest in English and poetry, I would love to discover new styles of creative writing and have insight into a different culture other than mine which I can bring back and weave into my future creations."

This project successfully funded on 25th April 2020