Kickstarter

The project is being led on the ground by cultural artists from Calabash who have returned to Liberia after decades in exile. They have been involved with dance and music therapy on the Buduburam Refugee Camp. Please check out the following youtube video to learn more about Calabash: http://www.youtube.com/watch.... Now, in collaboration with Sapo National Park and wilderness & art therapy experts from the Netherlands, Germany, and USA, the group is launching a project to support the post-trauma psychological counseling of war-affected Liberian youth and returning refugees and IDPs, especially militarized youth, in southeastern Liberia. Having experienced the war as refugees and child soldiers, group members have a deep-seeded desire to participate in the reconstruction of their country while receiving further training in post-traumatic psychological counseling.

In an effort to capture, preserve, and share the traditional heritage of the various ethnic groups represented in Liberia, the cultural artists aim to compile a book of fairy-tales, proverbs, legends, and sagas. The effects of war, globalization, and capitalism are having deep-reaching effects on traditional culture. With this book the artists hope to secure the initial funds for a wilderness therapy center while raising awareness about the loss of their cultural heritage. The book will be designed in collaboration with book artists from the Netherlands and USA. It will include illustrations by a young Liberian refugee artist from the Buduburam Refugee Camp.

We hope to make this project a collaboration across borders and encourage backers to contribute. The goal is to create not only a compilation of stories, but a discourse.

Why do chickens and snakes play such an important role in African fairy-tales? Why do so many fairy-tales involve the advise of an elder and magician? What is truth and what myth?

We would love to involve supporters in creation of this book by allowing people who make donation of $20 or over to ask questions for which the artists will seek answers.

What did you always want to ask a Liberian medicine men? Or an ex-combatant? Or why doesn't a refugee return after the war has ended?

All supporters will be listed in the book no matter how much you were able to give. Donations above $10 will receive a copy of the book.

THANK YOU!