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Child rights action with informed and engaged societies
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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
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Tabaka Artisan Centre

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Tabaka Artisan Centre is a not-for-profit organisation working to mobilise young people to implement community-based projects to fight HIV/AIDS and other problems in Kisumu, Nyanza, Kenya. In addition to bringing young people together for voluntary, community-based initiatives, the organisation fosters income generation among youth and the broader community through production of handicrafts.
Communication Strategies

Community participation and engagement are hallmarks of the Centre's work. Drawing on the involvement of local schools, churches, community groups, and local leaders, the organisation arranges home visits to community members and sets up local
meetings. The aim of these interpersonal interactions is to discuss, and develop strategies to address, problems such as HIV/AIDS that have been increasing in the community.

Young people are a particular focus of the Centre's communication-based work. The organisation acts as the local lead agency in organising a global youth service day designed to foster collaboration among young people who seek to develop voluntary, community-based campaigns/projects to address HIV/AIDS, abuse, and disasters. Creating opportunities for youth to discuss their needs and share their opinions about what's going on in the community is a key focus. The Centre also provides social support for young community members.

Involving youth in creative/artistic work is part of an effort to address poverty in Kisumu. The central handicraft produced by youth associated with the Centre is soapstone carvings, which are then sold to generate income.

Development Issues

Children and Youth, Community and Economic Development, HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

The Centre focuses its efforts on young people because many of them are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and other of the community's problems. However, they are, the Coordinator believes, in a good position to address these problems because they have the time and energy to do so.

The Centre's Coordinator - an artist - works on a volunteer basis.

The town of Kisumu has a population of approximately 100,000 people.

Sources

The Communicatin Initiative's HIV/AIDS Programme Experience Submission Form, September 3 2005.