I once had a mentor tell me that when working to empower people, all you can really do is ‘hold the crown out in front of them’ – it’s up to them to step up into that crown and claim it.
We’ve been in Newman for nearly 12 weeks now working to help local kids make media, videos and websites, as well as fundraise, run a film night and even get mentions in both print and on television!
On our last ‘workday’ with them we did a nice review of everything they’d learned. At this point, without any youth center or community technology space to call their own – it’s up to Newman’s youth to determine their future as the town’s central media makers. Our hope is that they’ll be able build on the skills and creativity they’ve developed these past 12 weeks.
That said, here’s a blog ‘toast’ to the 33 things the youth of Newman can do…so far.
Act
Be Resourceful
Blog
Build Ad Hoc Computer Labs
Build Websites
Collaborate
Conceptualize and Design Palmtop Computers
Create Live Electronic Music
Develop Ideas for Films
Direct
Edit Video
Generate Ideas for Youth Spaces
Get Furniture Donations for Youth Spaces
Hold and Record Youth Forums
Learn About DJing
Learn From Each Other
Lobby Online
Market Events
Model
Petition for the Youth of Newman
Produce
Set Up Facebook Pages
Set Up Video for Events
Share Media Together
Shoot Video
Storyboard Movies
Take Notes
Teach Each Other About DJing
Teach Each Other
Teach Teachers
Upload Pictures To Share with the World
Work Alone
[...] we also learned 33 other things… [...]
[...] we also learned 33 other things… [...]