Our Pilot Communities
DUNK Grassroots, Jamestown – Ghana Dream Big Foundation, Dzita – Ghana Red Rocks Initiative, Musanze – Rwanda
DUNK Grassroots
Jamestown, Accra – Ghana
DUNK Grassroots uses basketball and the playground to attract kids and teens from low-income communities, helping them stay in school while building essential life skills. Their sports facilities are connected to libraries, education, arts, and STEM programs where kids must first spend time and keep good grades before they can play.
Impact
For over 12 years, DUNK has provided scholarships, mentorship, and leadership training for thousands of students in slum communities, giving them a foundation for future success. DUNK’s programs also cover important social issues like gender-based violence and irregular migration, helping to educate and uplift communities.
Why DUNK
Alignment with ANANSI’s Mission: DUNK’s commitment to youth development makes it an ideal partner for ANANSI. Together, we can further empower these young people by providing them with storytelling and filmmaking skills, enabling them to share their experiences and perspectives
Infrastructure: DUNK’s community space and established library system provide an accessible, supportive environment for hands-on training in storytelling and filmmaking.
The Jamestown Story
Jamestown, DUNK’s home, is one of Ghana’s oldest coastal communities. Its historic coast predates colonialization and is lined with ancient forts and castles – later used as prisons-where leaders like Kwame Nkrumah were once held. It is key in Ghana’s independence story. Neighboring Bukom, known for producing boxing legends like Azumah Nelson, gives Jamestown a vibrant blend of history, resilience, and tradition
Initial Storytelling Opportunities
Cultural Preservation Amid Modernization: Uncovering the ancient history of Accra through Jamestown’s forts, and its role in the independence movement. The community’s efforts to preserve its cultural identity amid rapid urbanization, and the struggles around land acquisition and slum resilience as Accra expands. Activate Windows
Legacy of Bukom Boxing: Capturing Bukom’s legacy in global boxing through the stories of legends like Azumah Nelson.
Dream BIG
Foundation
Dzita – Ghana
On Ghana’s eastern coast, where coastal erosion has submerged nearly 40% of costal land since 2005 and disrupted livelihoods, Dream Big Foundation empowers communities in Dzita through cultural preservation, environmental preservation, education and skills training. The foundation helps residents adapt to challenges, preserve their heritage, and
build resilience.
Impact
Dream Big has supported coastal households and schoolchildren to build resilence and sustainabilty through sanitation facilities, hygiene education, and access to reproductive healthcare. They’ve trained youth in renewable energy,
reforestation, and local industries like soap-making and clothing production, creating sustainable income streams. Cultural programs, including arts and music performances, further enrich the community
The Dzita Story
Dream Big has supported coastal households and schoolchildren to build resilence and sustainabilty through sanitation facilities, hygiene education, and access to reproductive healthcare. They’ve trained youth in renewable energy, reforestation, and local industries like soap-making and clothing production, creating sustainable income streams. Cultural programs, including arts and music performances, further enrich the community
Why Dream BIG Foundation
Dream Big’s commitment to cultural preservation and youth empowerment aligns perfectly with ANANSI’s mission. Their efforts to build resilience and protect heritage are crucial for preserving history before it is lost – an essential goal for ANANSI. Also, with its established community spaces and programs, Dream Big provides a strong foundation for training youth in storytelling and filmmaking .
Initial Storytelling Opportunities
Coastal Erosion and Resilience : Capturing the impact of rising sea levels on Dzita’s land, livelihoods, and cultural landmarks.
Sustainable Livelihoods : Highlighting stories of youth learning renewable energy and families thriving through reforestation and local businesses.
These narratives showcase Dzita’s fight against climate change, its innovative approaches to sustainable living, and its cultural resilience.
Red Rocks Initiative
Musanze – Rwanda
Nestled in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, Red Rocks Initiative promotes conservation, cultural preservation, and sustainable tourism in a region recovering from conflict and ecological disruption .
Impact
Red Rocks Initiative has contributed to the increase in mountain gorilla populations from 250 to over 1 ,000 through eco -tourism and anti -poaching efforts. They’ve supported the restoration of over 100 hectares of land, created jobs in conservation and eco -tourism, and empowered over 200 women and youth with sustainable incomes from traditional crafts, helping preserve both biodiversity and cultural heritage in the Virunga region.
Why Red Rocks Initiatiive
Red Rocks’ commitment to conservation and cultural preservation aligns seamlessly with ANANSI’s mission. Their programs and community hubs provide an excellent platform to train youth in storytelling and filmmaking, enabling them to document and share stories of resilience, biodiversity, and heritage.
The Musanze Story
Musanze, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park—a UNESCO World HeritageSite—ishome to the endangered mountain gorillas of the Virunga Massif . This region, spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has faced decades of conflict, poaching, and habitat loss . Despite these challenges, Musanze has become a symbol of successful community -based conservation, balancing ecological preservation with the needs of local people .
Storytelling Opportunities
Gorilla Conservation and Recovery : Documenting the efforts to rebuild mountain gorilla populations and ecosystems impacted by conflict, poaching, and habitat loss .
Post -War Resilience in Virunga : Exploring how the region has recovered from the effects of war, highlighting community – driven conservation and sustainable development .
Cultural Preservation and Livelihoods : Sharing stories of women and youth sustaining traditional crafts and creating income through eco -tourism and conservation . These stories shed light on the interconnected challenges of conservation, recovery from conflict, and sustainable development.
