The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management of the Office of National Security, Ministry of Health and Sanitation and Freetown City Council with financial support from the Africa Development Bank has concluded a two week long community engagement in seven disaster prone communities in the Western Area urban.
According to the Artistic Director, Isha Wilson Clarke, the main objective of the drama performance is to raise awareness of community members in disaster prone communities on disaster mitigation and early warning signs of flooding and mudslide.
Speaking to our reporter at Mortomeh community, the Theatre Facilitator, Desmond Lewis mentioned that the service of Artistic Theatre Company was hired to carry out community drama performances using “Forum Theatre” techniques in seven targeted communities including Kaningo, Kamayama, Motormeh, Dwazark, Culvert, Kissy Brook and Wellington.
Explaining about the processes involved in the performance, Mrs Wilson-Clark said “Before the drama performance in the targeted communities, we will engage the audience with pre-test questions on general disaster mitigation to ascertain their level of knowledge on preventive measures and control of flooding and mudslide. After the performance we will also ask them similar questions to verify knowledge acquired during the performance” This, she added is followed by questions, comments and observations from the community members.
The first phase of the drama performance has been concluded in the seven communities recently while the second and final phases will soon be concluded.
Speaking to beneficiaries of the drama sensitization the Community chief of Kaningo, Chief Mohamed Bangura appreciated the drama performance and the sponsors for the increased knowledge and understanding they acquired on preventive measures and control of flooding and mudslides. He further requested for more of similar performances in other parts of his community.
Forum Theatre is an applied drama technique and participatory theatre practice aimed at empowering the audience to determine change on issues affecting them.