As Co-ordinator of the Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages, our CEO, Declan Baharini, is delighted to be sharing new pre-recorded workshops celebrating the rich language and culture of Nigeria and the Yorùbá people. Delivered by Victoria Eniola, these are designed to spark creativity, curiosity and inspire young minds by engaging children aged 7-11 in interactive activities including a Nigerian folktale, songs and dance, as well as helping them to express themselves through positive affirmations, something which is engrained in Yorùbá culture.
I moved from Nigeria to Ireland at the age of 11, and it took time to find my place in a community where diversity and my culture weren’t widely reflected outside my family home.
Growing up, the Yorùbá language became my bridge to identity, it deepened my connection to my roots, strengthened my bond with loved ones, especially my beloved grandmother, and gave me the confidence to express myself.
With over 15 years of experience working with children, I understand the profound impact of education that allows them to see themselves reflected in. I’ve witnessed first hand how this shapes their confidence, self-worth, and sense of belonging – just as it did for me!
In 2021, I founded Káyìne Education out of my passion for reshaping narratives about Nigerian culture and the Yorùbá language. My mission is to empower children through language and history, helping them embrace their identity, celebrate their heritage, and know their value. To understand our Nigerian history is to celebrate the incredible people who paved the way and made positive contributions.
Victoria Eniola, Káyìne Education
Victoria has produced a series of interactive pre-recorded workshops with accompanying teaching and pupil resources. These can be delivered in schools, community schools and groups from February until the end of March.
They are designed for children aged 7-11 and include a storytelling session, songs, some dance, as well as a positive affirmations. All videos are accompanied by activity sheets and key phrases, expressions or translations in Yorùbá and English.
Find out more about the content of the workshops on the activity webpage here. Email info@expressyourselfne.com to get access to the videos and materials, providing the name of your school or group, contact name and email and the number and age of children and young people participating.
Victoria’s enthusiasm, passion and knowledge shine through in these recorded workshops and I know that children will really enjoy taking part. We know there are many Nigerian children and young people in our schools and communities and many speakers of Yorùbá. The sessions will both help those children celebrate their own culture and provide a window for others into the Yorùbá language and culture, widening children’s perspectives and intercultural awareness.
We hope that these and other world languages activities in the Festival will encourage them to find out more about the different heritage, cultures and languages of children around them in school and in their communities.
It has been a joy to work with Victoria and we are grateful to the North East Combined Authority for funding this activity and enabling us to offer it to the children and young people in the region..
Declan Baharini, Festival Co-ordinator and CEO, International Newcastle
International School Award and Schools of Sanctuary
As a bonus, these and other activities in the Festival can be used as part of School of Sanctuary work and also contribute to schools’ engagement with the the International School Award (ISA). Schools automatically receive the ISA Foundation Certificate from British Council if they do not have one and if they do, they can use these activities as part of their progression to Intermediate or Accreditation levels or Reaccreditation.
Getting involved in both is a wonderful way to embrace and embed internationalism, multilingualism and intercultural awareness across the curriculum and build the skills, knowledge and experience that children and young people need for their future lives, education and careers.
Click on the links to find out more about the International School Award and Schools of Sanctuary. Newcastle Schools can find out more here about support in the city for Schools of Sanctuary.
This project is funded by the North East Combined Authority
Further information and links
As part of the Festival’s ‘How Languages Changed my Life’ series, you can read Victoria’s Story here, with more information about the deep impact of her Nigerian and Yorùbá heritage and language.
Founded by Victoria Eniola in 2019, Káyìne Education is a team of dedicated educators who are passionate about empowering children and our community. They seek to encourage, educate and empower children through culture, language, history, music, art and drama. Based in Darlington, they deliver a range of workshops and activities across the North East and beyond. These include:
- Culture Pop-Ups around Black History and celebrating Nigerian culture
- Affirmation workshops showing children how to affirm themselves by designing culture specific affirmations tailored to each group of children, age, background, demographic and cultural identity
- Uplifting music and dance workshops , including instruments like Djembe – African drums, Shekere and more
- Consultation and idea mapping to integrate African culture and heritage in schools
- Yorùbá lessons: face to face workshops for primary schools and virtual classes for young people aged 16+ and adults
- Click here to visit Káyìne Education’s website
- Contact: Victoria Eniola kayineeducation@gmail.com