‘In classroom’ with the Iraqw community
Creative expression & intergenerational storytelling in the remote village of Babati, Tanzania
Weaving tradition and play to build life skills
In partnership with the Karimu Foundation, we collaborated with children from the Iraqw community from two schools, Bacho and Arri Primary School, helping them develop life skills while encouraging creative expression.
Our journey combined local wisdom, artistic exploration, and meaningful community connection. Through engaging workshops anchored in the FUEL Methodology, children explored life lessons, collaborated with family elders to document their cultural heritage, and celebrated the wisdom that already thrives in their community.
A book of folktales
Preserving cultural wisdom through intergenerational storytelling
At the heart of our collaboration lies a special creation: a book of local folktales documenting the spirit and values of the Iraqw community.
Children partnered with family elders to document age-old philosophies through local folktales—stories that have been passed down for generations and reflect the spirit and values of the Iraqw community.
In collaboration with Storyfave, these stories were transformed into vividly illustrated books using generative AI, benefiting 976 students. Students not only received their first-ever illustrated books but also co-authored it!
The book, written in the local language, not only serves as a contextual and shared resource for learning but also helps preserve cultural wisdom and strengthen intergenerational bonds.
Creativity & wisdom in action continues!
Every experience with the students became a chance to unlock their potential and celebrate the richness of the community.
A series of FUEL Workshops
Wisdom As Play
Drawing self-portraits, asking tough questions to God, moving from shy hesitations to bursts of unbridled laughter. Learning Hindi lullabies, teaching Swahili folk songs, holding a paintbrush for the first time, planting a new harvest, and capturing what matters most through the lens of a camera. Posing for the camera with confidence, playing community games that kept them on their toes, and acting their dream jobs.
In these moments, beyond the role of a student, children embraced multiple roles - risk-takers, artists, photographers, models, storytellers, philosophers, and teachers.
A Community Mural
Art that tells a story
Poornima Sukumar, expert muralist and founder of the Aravani Art Project, facilitated mini-workshops, sparking a newfound love for the arts—many students experiencing it for the first time in their schools!
Inspired by what they see, love, and their everyday life, the children collaborated to create a giant mural that tells their unique story. They played an active role at every stage—from choosing the illustrations to shaping the final design.
The result is a vibrant, community-inspired mural that celebrates creativity, belonging, and wisdom. It became a landmark of inspiration, evoking awe from the school community and Karimu volunteers, invoking a sense of pride in their stories and talents.
Building educational systems that value wisdom is a long journey. Nonetheless, it is an important one.
Small interventions like this can create meaningful shifts among students, teachers, and families. If you would like to collaborate with us or learn more, click here to initiate a conversation.
Asante!