Projects

Home » Community Service » Projects

PROJECTS

Environmental and Community Development Projects

In line with its goal of exemplifying and promoting sustainable development through artistic and environmental preservation, Kokrobitey Institute has founded a number of local and domestic projects and initiatives. The projects actively address critical issues in environmental protection and cultural preservation. Among these projects are a reusable bag project, a recycled papermaking initiative and the production and construction of natural earth brick structures.

Reusable Bag Project: “Little Steps” Initiative

The little steps project has grown from early stages of activities that produced a reusable, recycled shopping bag made from recycled flour sack material to a thriving, productive design community. Through the appropriation of traditional skills and natural materials this community is producing an aesthetically rich, well designed, and well-crafted range of recycled contemporary products. Products range from articles of clothing to hand bags wallets.

The Institute in now poised to address the challenge of bringing our training and production capacity to a level that insures the growth of a viable working company. Our goal is that this company can meet product demand by training local youth at the village level, creating jobs, building skills and ultimately demonstrating how recycling combined with, art, design, technology and business can grow a profitable enterprise.

The Institute is extending the use of its facilities to all projects committed to sustainable development; we invite all individuals, enterprises, and institutions to share their innovative talent, ingenuity and creativity. Our aim is to encourage reuse of plastic products in different applications, pursuing research, development and technologies that can result in business enterprises that improve the life of the Ghanaian community and that of the world around us.

Recycled Papermaking Initiative

The aim of this project was to build a recycled papermaking studio in the village of Kokrobitey to produce natural, handmade paper and small craft items. The project was designed to address the importance of environmental protection by encouraging the use of recycled paper made from natural fibers, and to address infrastructure development in the local community by creating an industry that produces sustainable employment, skills training and income.

Earth Brick Construction

Kokrobitey Institute founded its Earth Brick project in line with efforts to build a culture of environmental sustainability. The aim of the project was to build structures ranging from homes to businesses using natural earth bricks. Natural earth is environmentally beneficial, climate tolerant and economically sustainable, as it does not rely on imported or synthetic materials. Local residents have been trained in the use of machinery for making the bricks. Experts and trainers have been brought in to facilitate architectural design and execution. The project has not only provided employment for the local community, but shelter, and sustainable development of local infrastructure.

While each of the aforementioned projects are designed to benefit the local community through sustainable economic and environmental development, Kokrobitey Institute has also founded a number of other community development programs initiated to provide a more immediate impact upon the local community. Among these projects are the Computer Literacy Institute, the Kokrobitey Youth Basketball Team and the Kokrobitey Cultural Group.

Computer Literacy Institute

The Computer Literacy Institute was designed in 2005 as a multi-level approach to teaching local children relevant skills and trends in computers and technology while simultaneously providing education on local, Ghanaian, and African history. The program educated children on essential computer skills such as basic Macintosh and PC literacy, word processing and Internet use. Assignments such as essay writing, Internet research and media presentation were done on topics in local, Ghanaian and African history. The ultimate goal is to impart necessary skills in technology and critical thinking to advance today’s youth in their future educational and career pursuits, while teaching the importance of historical knowledge and preservation.

Kokrobitey Youth Basketball Team

The Kokrobitey Youth Basketball Team was conceptualized to provide local youth with a productive after-school activity, stress the importance of physical fitness, and teach critical skills such as teamwork and self-confidence. Kokrobitey Institute was also in contact with youth basketball teams from surrounding countries in an effort to initiate inter-country teams and tournaments. The goal of these teams were to teach the skills of basketball and teamwork while bridging cultures and connecting youth that would not, under general circumstances, have the chance to interact.

Kokrobitey Cultural Group

The Kokrobitey Cultural Group was another local community initiative designed to aid the community in the crucial effort to preserve traditional Ghanaian culture. Throughout the world, traditional and indigenous knowledge has been supplanted with the overwhelming desire for modern technology, science and development. The beauty and practicality of traditional technology and art has been replaced by technologies that often harm more than they benefit. The Kokrobitey Cultural Group was a collective of local residents dedicated to preserving traditional Ghanaian drumming and dance, and supporting the preservation of the land by advocating for a return to, or synthesis with, traditional forms of cooking, building, fishing, farming and more.