Cultures of Resistance support goes to Dzaleka camp
Cultures of Resistance Network has taken this year’s assistance to artists staying at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District.
The network’s founder and director, Brazilian filmmaker Iara Lee, said her organisation will continue to work with different players in the creative industry.
Last year, the organisation donated funds to Music against Malaria which was used in buying patient monitors which were donated to Chikwawa District Hospital recently.
Lee said they have supported many projects in the country and that, this time, they will support artists from Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa.
“We pulled miracles considering we are grassroots with a tiny team working day and night to bring a bit of positive force to places and our aim is to plant seeds of solidarity,” she said.
Lee said through Cultures of Resistance Network they would want to connect and support agitators, educators, farmers and artists to build a more just and peaceful world through creative resistance and nonviolent action.
“We were happy to support Chikwawa District Hospital in the fight against malaria through Music against Malaria Festival. We have also supported an orphanage connected to cyclist Stewart. We have also helped Tumaini Festival in preparation for the festival”, Lee said.
During her stint in Malawi, Lee, said through her organisation, she also managed to shoot a film on ecological programmes in Likoma.
“It is all about selling Malawi to the world and this is why we also shot a music video about Malawi’s hope for a better future, called ‘Better Must Come’”, she said.
Cultures of Resitance Network has also worked on a project with poets to bring about change.
“We brought Chichiri Prison Cultural Troupe to Tumaini Festival to perform and we made a short film about them. We have also supported Young in Prison Project through Music Crossroads Malawi,” she said.
The organisation has also helped other sectors and empowered them such as African Parks Foundation to implement an organic honey programme so as to generate income for the community of Majete Game Reserve.
“ I am extremely grateful to all people who connected us to possibilities of being useful and helpful in Malawi, so many people helped us navigate Malawi and we hope the series of small actions we were able to take can represent our respect to all hard working people working to make Malawi an even more amazing place,” she said.
