Since World War II, 800,000 displaced people and refugees have called Canada home. In recent years, those who have come from Africa speak of suffering, war and poverty. Léo Kabalisa from Rwanda and Dr. Acol Dor from Sudan, parents who have experienced fear and loss firsthand, hope their accounts will help other parents talk to their own children about Africa and our shared humanity.

Teaching Compassion — Léo Kabalisa, 43, Toronto

Hope for the Future — Dr. Acol Dor, 47, Toronto

talking to children about Africa

Shyrna Gilbert is a schoolteacher with Ontario’s York Region District School Board and author of Afro Probe (africafiles.org/afroprobe), an integrated literacy-based series of units, that presents images and information about African people and cultures not usually conveyed through mainstream media sources.

Gilbert cautions that parents should not reinforce negative stereotypes about Africa but portray Africa in a manner that is accurate and respectful. “It’s extremely important to balance the discussion with positive images of African society and ways of life.” What are these stereotypes? “We tend to characterize Western conflicts as struggles for freedom and incorrectly characterize African conflicts as tribal violence,” she says. “This depiction feeds into what many believe that Africa is a place of violence and darkness.”

recommended books for young adults about Africa

• Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton (Annick Press, $12)
• Secrets in the Fire by Henning Mankell (Annick Press, $11)
• A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah (Douglas & McIntyre, $14)
• The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara and Susan McClelland (Annick Press, $11)

what else you can do

• Leave a picture book on the world’s people or an atlas on your coffee table. Small children love looking at the faces and seeing where they live in reference to the rest of the world.
• Play African music in the home, like African Dreamland (Putumayo Kids, $16). The website includes resources for teachers: putumayo.com/en/putumayo_kids.htm.
• Tell your children folk stories from Africa and around the world. Find stories at: afro.com/children/myths/myths.html.

raising awareness and raising funds

• The non-profit group Free the Children (freethechildren.com) offers initiatives to get involved and make a difference in the lives of those in Africa. On March 1, youth can take part in the Vow of Silence campaign to raise awareness about those that don’t have a voice, including those impacted by war and violence. Through Adopt A Village, youth can help build schools and develop clean water projects in the developing world.
• Youth can plan a fundraising event for the Stephen Lewis Foundation to raise awareness and dollars to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Find information at: stephenlewisfoundation.org/whatyoucando.htm.