There are many advantages to be derived by cities that subscribe to this program. Some of the benefits have already been listed in the manual I have written and posted on this website. 

Socially: the program provides very entertaining and enriching alternatives to street gangs, drugs and prostitution. Incarcerating teenagers who should be in classrooms or trade centres does not only raise serious moral questions about society but also takes a huge chunk out of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. As experience has already clearly demonstrated, this quick fix only winds up initiating an unending spiral of criminal behaviour. Society cannot afford to be at war with its own citizens. The problems they encounter could be nipped in the bud before they spin out of control.

Economically: the program saves the city council huge amounts of money in terms of policing, drug, alcohol and other social rehabilitation programs and prison upkeep. Even more compelling, the entire package flaunts a vast array of activities that will create jobs and haul in revenues.

Culturally: it enriches the city or country. Africa still remains a mystery to most people. Its culture is little known. The recent explosion of djembe schools in North America and other parts of the world, probably an outcome of the popularization of Keita Fodeba’s “Les Ballets Africains,” only hints at how much humanity stands to gain if it ceases to see this continent as a world apart. As the dances on the videos posted on this site shows, there are even more exciting African folk dances that the world is yet to discover. The main thrust of this project is to explore and bring to the fore as many of them as possible, so that people should have a wide variety from which to select. Given the sheer talents of children, they are capable of concocting new musical and dance forms out of what they shall learn. It is good news not only for parents and guardians tormented by the spectre of loved ones strung on drugs or alcohol or even winding up dead on a street corner, but also for society as a whole.

Tourism: many cities and countries derive a huge chunk of their revenues from tourism. Take New Orleans, Jamaica or St Lucia for example. By introducing these folk dances, the city or country’s cultural portfolio is beefed up. This could translate into plenty of tourist revenues. The videos posted on the website do little justice to live performances of these dances, especially when they are carried out by a well-trained and professional team with genuine African instruments, outfits and colours. In terms of sheer exoticism and sophistication in music and choreography, these dances are mind blowing.

Health: the explosion of child obesity and other numerous health concerns tied to inactivity in North America provides a good reason for the introduction of these dances. Other activities into which children are introduced often tend to be boring and less attractive to them. By coming up with innovative and interesting programs that excite and challenge them, their enthusiasm for physical activities may be rekindled. For those aware of the connection between good health and mental abilities, this is good news for both.

Morally: where it applies, let us state here that there is a moral obligation to give back to children what slavery and colonial exploitation stole from them: their cultural identity. Such a gesture initiates a healing process that ultimately frees society as a whole. Society may be quick to heap blames on black or Native American children. It is immoral, hypocritical and irresponsible for it to do so without acknowledging its own role in many of the problems they face. Worse still, hurrying them off to jail or even to the electric chair in large numbers for the slightest offense has not resolved anything. Such a reaction borders on conspiracy and only opens up old wounds that have been festering for the past five hundred years. This is a source of resentment and tension. The ongoing mood is to let go the past and focus on the future.

Costs: the program is self-perpetuating and almost amounts to nothing compared to numerous others that tackle socio-economic problems of the magnitude of street gangs, drugs and obesity.

Challenges of the project