“I was embarrassed to use my African name” - BBC Africa

[@minaj7029]

Proud to be an African much love from Kenya 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@childreninfreedomschoolstv2014]

Thank you

[@Sweetdification]

I'm Born USA Citizen but Glad to be AfiKan from Alkelubelan 🇬🇼🇬🇳🇨🇮

[@MR-xf8xg]

I AM SO HAPPY TO LIVE TO SEE THIS. THIS WAS DONE FOR ME AS AN ADULT AND I FEEL THE SAME AS THE CHILDREN DESCRIBE. TO HEAR CONTINENTAL AFRICANS CLAIMING THIS IS THRILLING!!!

[@gottimaranzano9409]

I love it, I don't think someone can fail maths and science subjects if you taught in a language that you understand. We don't need to be taught in English. Let English be taught a subject. Chinese, French, Italians ,Japanese you named it teach their kids in their own languages, imagine learning Maths or science subjects in Swahili? That's where the NASA generation will come from..

[@dyawr]

@@gottimaranzano9409 True, they might assimilate better in their mother tongue (the one they use at home, mostly). 🤔

[@gottimaranzano9409]

@@dyawr Well said. If we need to decolonization our minds we have to learn in our mother tongues. We will have more genius kids. Language scholars they have to create all these scientific words , in maths ,physics business and commerce etc In our languages. That's where the secret is.

[@activistbook3809]

About time. Protect this school at all costs

[@dawnb.1127]

Protect it from what?

[@tawanamufasa291]

@@dawnb.1127 Do u not know China is colonising as we speak. There are schools which already practice madarin along side the native

[@mpalmer7800]

Should be taking some Africans from the West into that school

[@dawnb.1127]

@@tawanamufasa291 what is China colonizing, China is all over the world, they are in Asian countries, they are in countries in europe and the western world, Africa is not the only continent that they are on, so until the entire world start speaking mandarin, then you can talk about colonization.

[@activistbook3809]

@@tawanamufasa291 China is not colonising. Please stop the lies.

[@MapaloYuzya_1508]

Woow!! This is amazing much love for Africa I'm a proud Zambian 🇿🇲🇿🇲❤️ a proud African a Mambwe of Mbala Discrict #ProudAfrican #PanAfrican #Africanacity

[@berthekabwe871]

🇿🇲🇿🇲🇿🇲

[@Natty_kitty]

This school sounds amazing. We need to relearn how to love ourselves and be proud of our heritage. I immediately thought the school uniforms were cool. Congratulations

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@danielchukwu4212]

Sounds good to me, and I share the same sentiment that a child should be educated within his or her cultural settings which enables the child to develop intellectually because concepts become more relatable

[@ritaokigbo1297]

Bob Marley said we need to free ourselves from mental slavery. The couple that started this school should be commended for doing this. Africans should learn about African history before learning about European history. African languages should be taught before they are forgotten. The Chinese still speak either mandarin or Cantonese besides being fluent in English.

[@Sheba_316]

Wow!! "Language is a very important oil in shaping identity." Wish most African parents would understand this.

[@sollymadeit]

💙 every day must be Africa day We must celebrate Africa in every single day of our lives.

[@harambeegardens8705]

EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!

[@janesabore2965]

This is what we need

[@UAMAK777]

I absolutely love it!!!!

[@ukitakesephiroth186]

I love this I think it should apply to A LOT of countries, first learn your culture, your heritage, your language THEN learn about others

[@kenfamenterprise7204]

Steps to real independence...next let's learn how to adequately divide,share and use our resources equitably and sustainably...yes we can...

[@harambeegardens8705]

This is key. SHARING. COOPERATION. MUTUALITY.

[@SEASONINGS22]

this system must be implemented in entire Continentof Africa 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@truthpluslove]

That's what its all about. God bless Africa and all Africa friends

[@childreninfreedomschoolstv2014]

Thank you

[@grenalien]

Habari & good luck from Canada!!

[@allanbimanywa8712]

Nice, thanks for doing something. Innovative couple

[@monicanamarome2446]

My mum worked on a similar project in Uganda. She wrote a paper on how children can be taught in mother tongue, however our community still struggles to see the authenticity in this kind of education.

[@esthergichuru4624]

Wooow!this is awesome ❤️

[@sneakerhead6625]

It’s such a shame that this even has to exist because of mental colonisation and loss of african identity but I really like that this is being taught in schools and not just having to rely on parents to show this at home

[@lisagriffin8221]

Hope it starts at this school and spreads to the rest of Kenya. We need to go back to our original roots and undo what colonisation did to us. I wish I was taught my mother tongue (Kalenjin) in School

[@PHlophe]

what we should be doing ( my parents did with me anyway and i did with mine ) is stop giving our kids name such as Zara, lisa, Penolope . its corny and it doesn't even sync with the patronym.

[@lisagriffin8221]

@@PHlophe I agree with you (I don't use my real name online if that's what you were assuming of me)

[@janendegwa5462]

This is nice learning mother tongue let's not lose our language because all our knowledge is in songs if you don't know the language all our songs won't make sence

[@paulerinle2988]

Africa wake up from your slumber Africa rise up Africa sing your own song Africa build your own society Africa arise from colonial education Africa rise to your destiny greatness.

[@mentormary5992]

Am proud to be an African. ..I love Africa

[@melokulekumalo2225]

This is awesome and so necessary! We should be supporting this type of schooling globally! I was awakened at age 40! I researched my Ancestral Heritage and changed my name legally. I then began to teach myself and my family Swahili. We now have a dual citizenship to Ghana continue to embrace our culture and it's people. Today people find it strange when they do not see me in full Afrikan attire! I feel more grounded and centered. I no longer identity with just a color. Or a eurocentric religion. Kabila langu ni Balanta na Zulu! I am Afrikan (Alkebulani) and I am Proud! I was born in Chicago Illinois USA. Today I live in Taifa Ghana, Africa and Atlanta Georgia, USA. My today is fulfilling, purposeful and most of ALL "Culturally Congruent!" Ubuntu Ma'at Ase'🙏🏿

[@ericgicheha8795]

So proud

[@zaarkhananal7165]

Fantastic and yes, educational should be based on one's cultural heritage, not one stock model that's of no relevance to them or their paradigm.

[@masimbamafura1675]

Amazing!

[@jonathandosu3561]

I love this. Big love from🇬🇭✌🏿❤️

[@thomasmackelly7685]

Their school clothes look incredible

[@theancientsancients1769]

It's extraordinary the contrast in the neighbouring country of Somalia 🇸🇴 where people are very proud of their heritage language culture and colonism culture never took root. I really hope cleanses itself from colonism ✌️💝

[@bellaolum9768]

This is just awesome! 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@tabytoto4185]

Very true. We were taught Kiswahili through Mother toungue,dholuo, to class 8. All of us passed, after all, exam is written not oral.

[@jonbanks653]

Way to go!!!!! Great school and very much needed

[@mukiibitendo8802]

The only problem we have in Uganda and Africa it's only these third world leaders.but our side is amazing!

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@asmahanistan]

Yaaas👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@biggkemo]

I love this...💪🏿😁👍😎

[@mts5359]

love from 🇪🇹

[@beanfriend9534]

Black American and proud I wear Traditional wear and everything now say something even African think I'm doing to much walking around with African clothes 😂

[@ReinaAfricana]

Oh my brother you are one of us. Stand tall and be proud of your roots.

[@beanfriend9534]

@@ReinaAfricana I always do I just wish more African people would wear Traditional wear not just for some wedding party or baby shower but all the time.

[@harambeegardens8705]

@@ReinaAfricana And you are our FAMILY as well. Peace & blessings. ✌🏾

[@mbayoroji]

👏👏👏 this is great!

[@mpholegodi3080]

Am so loving this much luv

[@stefanogizzler]

Lovely babies there!! Am very proud of my Kamba mother tounge and Africa as a whole!!

[@preciouslove1521]

😘😘🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️❤️God bless you 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️. Africans are beautiful people ❤️❤️

[@yerfillinois8254]

This should be transformed across the country.

[@darthvader3910]

How can you be scared or embarrassed to be African in AFRICA??!

[@Ugandangirl]

I was surprised to see that some children in Uganda don't speak their native languages

[@itgamingke]

This is amazing to hear and see because we still have schools in Kenya that don't allow kids to speak even Kiswahili or their Mother tongue unless it's a weekend or a Friday. This Video was amazing

[@zaddysenemy2291]

Those are foreign curriculum school.mainly for foreigner.kila mtu anszungumza kiswahili

[@CensoredUnafraid1992]

John 14:27 [27]Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. // John 16:33 [33]These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

[@jungledreamadventure8043]

Christianity was also brought in africa by missionary. I lived in Germany, churches are Museum there. They blinded us in believing in Jesus so that we can work for them without payment. In Africa churches are Business too, inherited from missionaries. Do you really believe our ancestors went to hell??? They never knew Jesus

[@naananaana3261]

Good initiative

[@activistbook3809]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@alexwinokan]

salut, sih. hebat. hampir mirip dengan "pendidikan kewarganegaraan" atau pkn di indonesia

[@JB4C89]

There are schools like this in the US too, the news is just late as usual.

[@marrietakisaka]

Yebooo🎊🎊🥺proud African girlHow I wish I would have gone through the same system 844 served me really good as well... can't complain

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@marrietakisaka]

@@dineshbhat7978 give me 10 solid reasons why you think we're desperate to relocate to other countries?

[@dineshbhat7978]

@@marrietakisaka............I didn't say that you want to relocate to other countries. I am just telling you to visit INDIA as we INDIANS love AFRICANS.

[@marrietakisaka]

@@dineshbhat7978 okay I get it ! Please visit Africa as well 😊😊when you can

[@alisharif6396]

Ya Allah Caafimaad Sii kuuligood Faadlaan Ameeeeeen 🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️

[@lorebay2593]

👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😊 watching from🇺🇸

[@joyaguzie1291]

❤️❤️❤️🥀

[@seniduteklu4935]

💚💛❤️

[@biohelloeri2671]

Proud to be habesha! Proud to be black! Proud to be african! Proud to be the part of the family from 54 countries.Moreover proud of those kids.

[@MarlineOchieng]

Ahh👏🏾🙌🏾🥳❤️respect.

[@rumeshmadushanka3857]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from 🇱🇰

[@م.المروةالنجار]

Great things to do keep going

[@Motswako]

Nice

[@dragonflysky177]

dont feel ashamed of ur truly are. otherwise evil ppl see ur weakness n attack u from there. b grateful what God created u

[@datwarriboy]

Na me first reach here😂

[@eazydeeraps2276]

They do this in most Nigerian schools Infact it's compulsory

[@jacqueline8307]

As a person from Ghanaian heritage, I am proud to hear that African children being accepting of who they are in their skin colour is BLACK POWER! Being an African and using your African name is nothing to be ashamed of no matter what🖤.

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@grcarie]

I can appreciate "afrocentrism" in a nation pressured by western conformity and Chinese financial control. It is good for the people of a nation to be proud of their home and ready to fight for and defend and promote their home. And Kenya is my husbqnd's home nation. I am two years away from being eligible for dual citizenship and happy to see a positive experience happening for these children.. It's just sad that "afrocentrism" means something else in a western nation where generational westerners of African decent adopt racist and divisive political and social views, often to the point of committing violent crimes or pushing cult religious narratives, or encouraging segregation in public schools and services

[@akshaymasane3018]

Watching from India! ☺️☺️☺️

[@zaddysenemy2291]

But everyone in Kenya have their own tribe, language as well as traditional beliefs.this documentary is badly flawed.nobody has low self esteem.we are proud Africans.

[@novletmills9244]

Ashe!!!!

[@tjjsquad8152]

Who's watching this as an afrikaner

[@harryspicemavela3915]

OTIENO thumbs up

[@thandisilec835]

This is visionary, I like it for little Black African kids so they can embrace their culture and identity. Only comment would be can they make the school uniform out of the fabrics or materials to reflect all or some of the Kenyan ethnic groups. dashiki is so generic and I don’t think it’s actually belongs to any ethnic group in Africa, let alone Kenya. I stand to be corrected though

[@michaelmaps2004]

Its a good starting point my sister and there is still room for improvement

[@thandisilec835]

@@michaelmaps2004 yeah agree, it’s a great school, like it.

[@ronyafeldman4853]

I am white British you should be very proud of your name you are beautiful don't change anything for anyone.

[@Chacha-sf4xs]

😘😘😘😘😘

[@toboreyalaju9660]

This is all well and good but I hope they are not being excluded from existing in the world outside of Africa.

[@omusaatsawatuukha2513]

Which world? 99% of Africans will never travel out of their Home country, let alone outside Africa

[@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet]

Please, explain, because I totally do not understand. What was the education before or how does it normally look like? I would expect Africans to learn in their language - kiswahili here. Learn it just as we learn Czech (I am from the Czech Rep.) It is the mother tongue and we are encouraged to know it as well as the history and literature. What other name would one use than the African one in Africa?? Why black would be bad in Africa? I can somehow understand the problems black people face in the West among whites. But you are in your own continent among black people. Why that shame?? Is this the beginning of a time that we went through in the 19th century in my country... preserving the language and culture so that we do not become Germans?

[@hilarymasaraure3960]

To answer some of your questions, im Zimbabwean. People nolonger want to know our culture and history. The generation which greatly followed the true african practices are dying off and being replaced by the 'easy going' ones who dont care. And the use of social media has greatly affected us. Even when i was still in highschool, there was an intangible pressure to dress a certain way and have certain hobbies. People kind of judged you if you werent 'western' enough. And in our school and most schools, it was punishable to speak in Shona (native language) we were always encouraged to use English and use our English names. Its just radical. The only day people in school actually embraced being African was on Africa day. Most of us have lost our identity. Like kinky hair isnt appealing anymore...these are just my thoughts. So many things affect us Africans because the education system also wants us to be 'western'. Again these are just my thoughts.

[@omusaatsawatuukha2513]

Good Question. Because we were colonized by WHITE people (British) who bred a group black leaders who in turn adored white people. These leaders + Teachers equated progress to ENGLISHNESS. What you are saying is so basic and common sense, but so revolutionary in the African context. You have to be african to understand the tragedy.

[@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet]

@@hilarymasaraure3960 this is quite incredible. 😒 That feeling that one needs to forget one's identity because name and language are important parts of one's identity...

[@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet]

@@omusaatsawatuukha2513 does it work like that in most African countries?? Just different language but still mainly the ideal of being not African but European??

[@omusaatsawatuukha2513]

@@AvesPasseri-Jinysvet Yes. It all depends on the country that colonized them. For example, the primary language of education in Angola is Portugese because they were colonized by Portugal. whenever African leaders are electing regional representatives into bodies such as the African union and the United nations, Lobbying is done based on who colonized you. So we have Francophone Countries and Anglophone Countries. There is currently a civil war in Cameroon between the French-Speaking region and the English-speaking region of the country.

[@gidd]

I love this This should be the standard all over the continent

[@MR-xf8xg]

All over the African world. I started my process in the 90s and have been steadily more sane with each passing year.

[@StarLight-sl9ok]

Totally agree, it will take so many years to decolonize the continent but this is such a beautiful start.

[@MR-xf8xg]

Promote it among all those you know and it will be.

[@MR-xf8xg]

@@StarLight-sl9ok yes. Things take as long as take. Please look and see how long it took for europe to colonize africa and see it wasnt that long at all. A single human lifetime. Certsinly we hsve thst tongove to its decolonization too. The difference is this process doesn't use trauma and v!olence so may take twice as long.

[@alphonsebonhomme]

@@MR-xf8xgi

[@deshajames2224]

From the caribbean, this is simply beautiful. I love it.

[@cyrilsneer5957]

You lot need to DE COLONIALIZE AND CHANGE YOUR SLAVE NAMES

[@abel_seti]

This is so so cool and awesome in an ever changing world. Our value,identity and heritage is in our native languages and culture👌🏾 👏🏾 🇰🇪

[@nancyscuisine]

Wow this is beautiful I love their uniform this is really amazing and different.

[@louisa4218]

"The world is changing, and the education system should not remain the same as before." Very well said, and good for her for not letting others discourage her from sending her children to the school she felt was best for them! It is a huge shame that a child should be made ashamed of their African name in their own native country. I am so happy that these children are able to feel pride in their names, languages, and cultural identity. What a hope for the future!

[@dandamuxima]

We have some schools here in Brazil that are fighting to engage an african based education. We have many african people here living in diaspora. They speak Yoruba language, Kimbundu, Umbundu, etc.

[@IvyProsper]

That's amazing.

[@UAMAK777]

Love it!!!

[@MrOu83]

BATUCADA - If any country needs to promote Afrocentrism among its Black population, it is Brazil. Especially after the “successful campaign to eradicate Blackness and “ Improve The Race” by encouraging interracial sexual, marriage, and otherwise frowning upon being Black.

[@dandamuxima]

@@MrOu83 The enslavement of our african forefathers was the inicial point for all this mess, when the europeans masters raped our mothers. Later, after the falacy of the slavery abolition signed by Princess Isabel, the old Republic created the myth of the "democracy of the three races" (indigenous, africans and europeans) but they only supported these last ones, sponsoring them with farms, money and status. They also brought italians, germans, polish and many others to whitening the population. Black brazilians mindset is changing, despite of these secular problems. Many of us are awaking and being proud of our roots. Actually, just like in the past but now even stronger, we 're getting each day more inspired by our forefathers, we have been living and keeping the ancestral traditions and marrying black people. (Rincon Sapiência: Pretos e Pretas estão se amando (blacks are falling in love with each other) Of course, there's much to change but we're working for this. Ase oo

[@fredadenekan6177]

There is a balance to be struck here, the children and educators should FIND it....African children are not different from children from any other places and should not be thought that they are different because the first five year of one's family life is very important in the innate understanding and Who one is and teachers are not often presence....so when one has past that age and you are telling them of the innate understanding do you now agree that they may have missed it then if they are missing it work lies in family structural understanding in early childhood... Many Africans play to blackness and it limits them and rob them of the understanding of the bigger World they faced. How do incontinent Africams looked at displaced Africans in Americas and in other places they are in? As strength or weakness? I leave you to judge. And Who those children are not only in the name they answered to, neither the apparel they wear nor food they eat....Who is not define by none of these. Do African children need to learn honesty and be honest as in Who they are like the none Africans defined themselves as Who. I believe so.

[@Glo-Ria]

Very good we need more schools like these . Much love ❤️ 🇿🇼

[@carolinew.m.5271]

I am happy to witness this major change process. It took me more than 3 decades to finally start loving who I am: my Africanicity. I wear my giant afro with unconditional self-love and self-acceptance. Loving and welcoming this change movement. Asante.

[@dedeag9300]

Yes I can relate . Unfortunately the west and white supremacy works extra hard to make sure we don't love ourselves

[@Future88746]

Kenyans never run out of smart ideas. This is incredible!! 💡

[@GeneralHensaleey]

Proud to be an African from Somalia 🇸🇴

[@aperson7151]

As someone who went to schools in Nigeria that heavily restricted cultural practices except the biennial culture day of event, I hope this becomes more popular. Tired of seeing African schools that stop children from expressing parts of their culture and even restricting their natural hair texture

[@FreeDom-ij1gb]

What a beautiful vision!! Africa's restoration is no longer a far away dream. God bless our true educators. Love from Italy. 🇰🇪

[@shantalshani2030]

I really appreciate this, every country in Africa should do this. greetings from Netherlands/Uganda

[@KushQueen9]

This is beautiful and this is what we need to see more of!!! Very proud to be South Sudanese!!!!! Our Motherland is incredible and we have a RICH history!!! Our names are beautiful our native languages and everything in our culture. Let's get these Eurocentric ideologies out of our children's schools once and for all. My name Abei is my grandmothers name and it means God's gift so I'm super proud. I hope to open a school one day as my grandfather was a teacher and very passionate about education. He gave so many the opportunity to be educated and thanks to him, people's lives changed.

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@KushQueen9]

@@dineshbhat7978 India is beautiful but I would rather settle in my motherland Dinesh. The mother of mankind.

[@MaLiArtworks186]

We need Freedom Schools around the world!

[@harambeegardens8705]

Yours is the best comment! 👌🏾

[@cherylk.2474]

IvoryPearl, I agree so much with your comment. Languages and cultures all over the world are being forgotten and destroyed. These heritage treasures need to be protected and nurtured, once they are lost, they are lost forever.

[@MeronMelese-nk1sg]

I love Kenya 💕 much love from Ethiopia 🇪🇹

[@t.wkangethe4814]

I already embrace and love this school💕💕❤️We are Africans and Africa is our beautiful business

[@dineshbhat7978]

Come and settle in INDIA, dear AFRICANS.

[@truthpluslove]

Yep its absolutely necessary to review our education system. Well done Kenya.

[@Sheba_316]

‘How you look is ok, it’s beautiful,it’s acceptable and it’s the norm."

[@reubenbryant]

I love this. That school sounds absolutely amazing. Giving black children the tools to love who they are is so important. Every child should be taught to embrace and love their heritage, whatever that might be.

[@keepitreal335]

Wow am so impressed this program is very useful and it should be used not only in diaspora but in all schools in Africa to decolonize our people bcoz I have realized that mental slavery in Africa is still a big challenge, whoever came up with this brilliant program deserves aa international award

[@angelladavis2250]

Astonishing you have to teach Afrocentric in Africa.

[@keepitreal335]

@@angelladavis2250 oooh yes do you have a problem with that?

[@angelladavis2250]

@@keepitreal335 OH NO, NOT AT ALL. JUST THAT THAT AFROCENTRISM WAS A WAY OF LIFE.

[@DozzeKE]

@@angelladavis2250 the colonizers aren't around but they did an immaculate job. Nobody knows what "Africanism" is any more. But am glad we are slowly reprogramming, starting in my house, teaching my kids about their land and old ways of life.

[@keepitreal335]

@@DozzeKE me too

[@PM-lh8eg]

Aww they're so cute and so proud of the teachers to teach more about their culture xx

[@bluebuffy5]

Love the representation 🇳🇬