Roots + Rhythms
The Roots and Rhythms Project is funded by The Victoria Government as a North Richmond Community Grant. It provides free cultural dance and drum workshops to North Richmond children, with a focus on African cultural traditions, in order to improve mental health and wellbeing.
We collaborate and deliver school workshops and performances that promote African cultural traditions and foster connection between community, school, and family, while also providing opportunities for young people's participation while building their confidence.
As part of our process we partner with local primary schools and local community events to provide culturally inclusive spaces and opportunities for program delivery, and ensure that young people of migrant backgrounds feel safe, nurtured, and supported.
The project includes performance and participation in local community festivals, such as the North Richmond Community Festival, and annual School events to further promote cultural diversity and engage with the community.
We generate jobs for local migrant residents through program planning, delivery, and evaluation, contributing to the overall economic wellbeing of the North Richmond community, and potentially leading to ongoing employment opportunities for residents in the future.
Trinity Primary School Program
Mzuri Dance partnered with local organsiation Nurturing African Gen and worked closely with Trinity Primary School to deliver a dance a drum lunchtime club. The young people performed at the Richmond festival and the Trinity 100 year Celebration weekend event.
Abbotsford Primary School Program
Mzuri Dance team and Somali community leader Aisha Darawish whose children also attend Abbotsford Primary School worked with the school to deliver dance and drum workshops for junior and senior students culminating in the Annual School Picnic performance and Richmond Festival.
Richmond West Primary School Program
Achol Maror of North Richmond Community Dance with Mzuri Dance worked with the Wellbeing Leader and African Family Liason officer at Richmond West Primary school to offer more than 90 young people African dance and drum sessions and assembley performance with student participation.
Richmond Festival Performance
Mzuri Dance and Nurturing African Gen along with more than 6 other local community groups that collaborate with Mzuri across Yarra and NAG in Werribee came together to perform and deliver interactive cultural dance at the Richmond Festival.
100 Years Celebration Performance at Trinity PS
Abbotsford PS PICNIC Performance