Building a strong foundation with The ‘Nubia African Foundation Community School

BY DAVID MYLES

The Nubia African Community Foundation School (NACFS) is a Saturday school based in South London. Founded in 1992, the school teaches Communications, Moral Philosophy, which includes issues pertaining to what is happening currently as well as MA’AT and History. The school has a strong emphasis on Nature Studies (Science) and Mathematics. One of the founders Kwaku Bonsu is known to emphasise the importance of training our children in the higher sciences, a key theme of Marcus Garvey whose philosophies guide the school.

One of the Sebas (teachers) at NACFS had this to say about the school:

‘’We want to make sure that it is well rounded. Our children are in England, so they study English and they do it well, but where we do English, we read ‘The Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry’ rather than European books.  With the younger classes, we have stories all to do with animals. We tend to keep it all black. If they are studying music, they will probably be listening to black music. So hopefully it is holistic enough and well-rounded to ensure they (children) are confident in themselves and to get on out there, whilst maintaining a social collective worldview’’.  – Akindade

2012 was quite a devastating year for Supplementary Schools across the UK, particularly in the Croydon location where the council made severe cuts. Nia Imara, founder of the National Association for Black Supplementary Schools has argued that it is paramount for the community to support its own initiatives and not be solely dependent on funds from that of the local authorities.

During the 27 years that the NACFS has been operating, they have used a number of different venues, but the ethos has remained the same. To ensure the school is affordable to those within the community and to provide a comprehensive learning environment that is equally acquainted with intellectually enhancing our children, whilst culturally nourishing them.

I was amazed that the children are also gifted with a sizeable meal. What nutritious meal can one purchase for a mere £2.50 for adults and £2.00 for children aged 16 and under?  The meal plays an intricate role at NACFS as hunger can act as a potential barrier to learning.

Although I did relatively well at school, I can recall progressing into secondary school and being less enthusiastic in attending school. At Nubia African Community School it appears that a reverse situation occurs. Instead, as the children grow older, the more inclined they are to take the initiative to attend the Saturday school without being persuaded by that of their parents or guardians.

‘’Their parents aren’t telling them to come, they just come’’ – Nii Kojo

Listening to Seba Nii Kojo who is a fully qualified Mathematics teacher relay some of the fundamental principles that are imbedded into The NACFS demonstrates a true community cohesiveness that I have heard many argue died eons ago in Britain, including the very concept of community.

Some of the older generations would say ‘’One hand wash the Odda (Other)’’. The work that the NACFS does is incontrovertibly the epitome of this in action and I see similarities of this self-help practice in that of The Black Panthers who initiated their Free School Breakfast Programme in the late 1960’s Oakland, California. Many black supplementary schools in locations such as Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol and Manchester in England also had similar programmes during this era and as illustrated still continue to be guided by these principles. This is why supplementary schools such as Nubia Foundation African Foundation School must be protected and supported by regular weekly, monthly or annual donations, and black businesses are encouraged to sponsor such schools to enable the vital work that such organisations do continues to prosper, particularly since no one gets paid monetarily for their work.

On Saturday 20^th July 2019 from 17:00 – 22:00 the NACFS will be holding their first dinner and fundraiser at the Open Door Community Centre, Southfields Wandsworth, London, SW19 6TF.

On the night, Groove Master DJ will provide the musical entertainment accompanied by Oludre, Stainless D, Scratchylus, Fizzy G and spoken word extravaganza from Amen Noir and singer Nyari Kizzy.

Nollywood actress Doyin Ola and Kwaku Bonsu (one of the founders of NACFS) will be your hosts for the event.

Tickets are £50 and includes a 3 course meal. All monies will be recycled back into the nation building work that the NACFS are doing.

Entrance to the NACFS’s Dance and Fundraiser is 18+.

Contact event organiser Natasha Paton for further information: 07761624201 or Kwaku Bonsu: 07931238759

Co-founder of NACFS, Kwaku Bonsu hosts a weekly talk show ‘ The Nubian Forum Community Talk Show’ airing every Sunday from 17:00 – 19:00 (GMT) on The Rock 926 which can be heard via  www.therock926.com  –  Readers residing in London can also listen on 87.8 FM.