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arts & culture Rotary Helping Change in Bokorvikofe
It is not easy to get to Bokorvikofe As you drive along in Ghana, West Africa, you are most likely to drive past the mud tracks that lead to it. If you were to go down the tracks, you would walk, unless you had a bicycle or a four wheel drive. It would take at least an hour before the village of Bokorvikofe came to view. This farming village runs mostly without cash, through barter, as it has for generations. But many now have cell phones and the children stand on the threshold of a technological society that will undoubtedly change Bokorvikofe forever. Without an education they will be lost. And their parents know it. The Rotary Club of Ottawa South, the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and others, have developed a plan with the people of Bokorvikofe. They do the work, and where they need assistance in materials and expertise, The Rotary Club of Ottawa South (RCOS) and others will help. With this arrangement, a new kindergarten has been built by the community.
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Proving Osgoode’s got talent Contest puts youth front and centre for Canada Day Emma Jackson
emma.jackson@metroland.com
EMC news - We all know Greely’s got a few idols, and Metcalfe’s not kiddin’ about its young performers. But now Osgoode’s out to prove its got talent, too. A new talent contest set for Canada Day invites youth to put it all on the line for a chance to be crowned Osgoode’s best performer. Osgoode’s Got Talent will begin at 6 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the community’s Canada Day celebration. Twelve semi-finalists will compete for four spots in the 8 p.m. finals. Judges will then pick the top two performers, but ultimately the audience will choose the winner by way of a ballot. Organizer Debbie Gallagher, matriarch of the musical Gallagher family, took over the stage portion of this year’s Canada
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Youth can show off their talents at the Osgoode Youth Association this May and June in preparation for the Osgoode’s Got Talent event planned for Canada Day. Day event. She said she wanted to get the entire community involved in the entertainment lineup. “It’s so hard these days to
get people to come out to these events without that personal tie,” said Gallagher, who has helped with Osgoode’s Canada Day festivities for more than 20
Above - Students and teachers in front of the new Bokorvikofe school Right - The newly built Bokorvikofe school
With funds provided by RCOS, they hired a foreman and from the sand and cement they bought the people of Bokorvikofe made their own bricks. This was their school, and they built it, literally, from the ground up. The project is part of a program undertaken by GNAT in which communities identify needs and build action plans. Once the people of Bokorvikofe had taken action and completed what they could do on their own, RCOS was able to provide necessary financial assistance. The school project actually came in under budget.
ON JUNE 1, 2013, GO THE DISTANCE IN THE FIGHT FOR CANCER SURVIVORSHIP IN EASTERN ONTARIO THE BIGGEST ONE-DAY WALK IN OTTAWA – 28 KM FROM THE QUEENSWAY CARLETON HOSPITAL TO THE RICHARD & ANNETTE BLOCH CANCER SURVIVORS PARK
It is a pleasure to support the hard working people of Bokorvikofe, and the Rotary Club of Ottawa South is committed to help them build a sustainable healthy community that prepares their children to meet the future as it rushes down those mud tracks to their door.
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Ottawa South News EMC - Thursday, May 23, 2013
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Community meeting at new school in Bokorvikofe
years. “Parents and grandparents much more enjoy seeing their kids on stage than someone they don’t know.” Leading up the show, auditions will be held at the Osgoode Youth Association on Thursday, May 30 and Thursday, June 20. Each audition is limited to 20 audition spots, which must be pre-registered, and are limited to five minutes each including set-up and tear-down. Semi-finalists will be chosen in three talent categories: vocal/instrumental, dance and other. The ‘other’ category could include performances like stand-up comedy, a magician’s act or a novelty act, Gallagher said. Performers are also split into three age groups: nine and under, 10 to 15 and 16 and older. Gallagher said the performers don’t have to be from Osgoode. Members of the public are invited to attend the auditions and enjoy an evening of music and entertainment at the youth centre, said O-YA’s outreach co-ordinator, Carley Scharf. She said the partnership is a win-win for everyone, because the youth association usually hosts its youth-focused b.side cafe on Thursday evenings. Audience members can enjoy a drink and learn about O-YA’s programs while supporting friends and family at their audition, she said. “We’re really trying to outreach to youth and families who have never heard of O-YA,” Scharf said. “Youth (in other villages) that are younger don’t have access to vehicles, but it’s nice to let them know that we have a space here that they can use.” The auditions begin at 6:30 p.m. at 5479 Osgoode Main Street May 30 and June 20. Performers can register for a spot at www.thegallaghers.ca under the “Osgoode’s Got Talent” tab.