World Connect

Salama Africa Creative Centre

Year: 2018

Country: Malawi

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Education

Project Investment: $8,533.10

Project Launch: 7-2-18

The Salama Africa Creative Centre project aims to build a creative space in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in order to boost, develop, and promote creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship among youth for positive social transformation. This space will be the hub of free thought, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Dzaleka and create a market and arena for local artists to market and advance their work.

Project Update:

To date, members of Salama Africa have actively and energetically worked on the project, doing most of the labor themselves to level the construction site, dig the foundation, purchase and transport materials such as timber and iron sheets, build walls to the top level, and identify carpenters who have worked on the roofing of the structure. The project was affected by an increase in the market prices of construction materials, but the group was able to leverage additional resources from United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to cover the costs of the ceiling and floor. Once completed, the creative center will provide an opportunity for youth in the camp to showcase their performance and develop their talents, which include singing, dancing, design, and other artistic endeavors. Progress is showing that this is a groundbreaking initiative in the camp that will impact many lives in the years to come

Final Report: 11-22-19

In less than one year, Salama Africa has transformed the place that was once their open practicing space into a magnificent creative center. Salama Africa's first ever grant of $8,533.10, came from World Connect, and leveraged another $16,000 of support from UNHCR to complete the construction of this center where dancers, musicians, painters are now practicing in a healthy environment daily. Since it was opened, Salama Africa has recruited and is training 25 young people as dancers, 15 children under fifteen years old as painters, and 38 women as events decorators. Three people have gained full time employment in a country where seeking formal employment outside refugee camp is not allowed by law. Salama Africa is also generating income by hosting events such as wedding receptions, parties, trainings, and conferences. The revenues support the maintenance and programming at the center. On average, $200 is generated every month. Above all, this center has created psychological shift among the 20,000 plus youths in the camp who find it suitable to spend time with friends and avoid harmful practices such as substance abuse. Indirectly, this center will benefit the entire 40,000 population of refugees in Dzaleka Refugee Camp.