kanthari spread the spice festival 2022

by Nduku and Oluwakemi

Saturday 15^th October 2022 was a remarkable day for us, the 2022 participants of the kanthari leadership training for ethical social change makers in India.  We come from eleven countries and three continents, and we hosted a one-day exhibition on ideas for social change tagged “Spread the spice”.  The event took place at Cadrre – The artism studio, in the city centre of Trivandrum featuring workshops, games, discussions, fun activities, food, and music. Topics covered on the day were a.o. agriculture, environment, women empowerment, arts, alternative education, LGBTQI rights, sex education, disability, and peacebuilding.

The exhibition opened at 10:00 am. Each change-maker had its own stall; Oluwakemi from Nigeria, founder of Eagles voice was at the microphone orientating visitors on the activities of the day, advertising the products and services of various stores, and launching the Eagles voice radio. Her long-term vision is to create a journalism school with a radio station attached to train blind and partially sighted women in Nigeria to acquire skills that can support them attain leadership positions in society. Her self-confidence on stage drew the attention of visitors and passers-by who were amazed to see a blind lady animate the event.

Andre, founder of Dahetok Milah Foundation produced 30 litres of red Island coconut drink which serves as a native drink for the indigenous Malend community in Papua, Indonesia. With excitement, he marketed his juice while educating visitors about the process of producing organic fertilizers to solve the problem of soil degradation in Papua.
Kuta from Cameroon is the founder of Wandusoa. He spread awareness about the importance to protect and restore the topsoil. Through an experiment on the purification of water by different topsoil layers, he explained that healthy topsoil- results in healthy food – healthy people, and a healthy planet.

While people were dancing to the rhythms of the music on stage, Gautum, founder of Fireflies challenged youths through a brain cycle game. Using a bicycle whose steering goes in the opposite direction to the wheels, he demonstrated how the brain controls the human system and that when affected by drugs, crimes, or harmful practices, youths can become social misfits in society. To create a change, we need a mindset shift and change starts from within.

Robert from Zimbabwe, founder of Gateway to Elation carried out sales of Malunda, a snack he created as a symbol of entrepreneurship for the blind. In the stall next to him, Joshua from Cameroon, founder of Peace Crops presented pasta that is made from tapioca and plantain. Joshua empowers war widows, vulnerable farmers, and war orphans through organic agriculture. His new value-added product serves as an additional source of income.

Kerlinda from Meghalaya, founder of Marvelling roots presented ginger candy and natural honey which serves as her organization’s brand taste to the public. Eltrud, founder of Rieko, an organization striving to restore respect and dignity to aged persons in Kenya, works on reintegration, using a village within a village model. She presented life stories of aged persons in her village and disseminated them to the young generation.

The 15^th of October is commemorated worldwide as the International white cane and safety day to sensitize the public on the importance of the white cane to the blind and visually impaired user. In accordance, the exhibition was graced by the arrival of blind students who took part in ‘blind conversation’; an activity where sighted persons were blindfolded and brought into the conference room, guided to move around without a white cane and to dialogue with unknown persons for 30 minutes. This made them experience the daily reality of the blind and develop empathy and respect towards the blind.

When the event was well on its way, a ‘crime’ took place at the venue which raced an alarm. Vanna, founder of KDAP came into the picture with his practical knowledge of STEM education. With the help of his mobile detectives, he demonstrated how science and technology can be used as a tool to track down perpetrators of crime regardless of blindness.  It turned out to be a game that encourages blind people to go into STEM education.

Nduku, founder of Xhuma Africa hosted a capacity-building workshop on conflict analysis and conflict transformation. He demonstrated the behavioral pattern of some animals when managing conflicts and encouraged young people in attendance to become peace builders. He envisions an African society where youths are inspired to lead peace processes and promote environmental conservation.

With a smile on her face, Charlotte, founder of Propolis was excited about the turnout of youth who signed up for a game on sex education. Though it still is a big taboo to talk openly about sex education, Charlotte was excited that some visitors were open-minded and sounded optimistic which encouraged her to continue such workshops throughout South India.

It’s no doubt that spice was spread during the one-day exhibition on ideas for social change.
We are thankful for everyone who supported us, especially the voluntary support from students of Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering.

The 2022 edition of spread the spice has come and gone, yet the memories will last in the minds of beneficiaries.