Ancient African competition hits Islington schools

Press Release - Tuesday 20 June 2006

Photo opportunity: 1.30 - 3.30pm, Friday 23 June 2006, Barnsbury Education Centre, Offord Road, Islington, London

Children from seven Islington schools are taking part in a competition involving an ancient African strategy game called oware. The oware competition is taking place from 1.30-3.30pm on Friday 23 June at Barnsbury Education Centre, Offord Road, Islington, London, N1, for some fun global education and to celebrate Islington schools' connections with Africa.

Oware is an ancient strategy game played in many countries in Africa using seeds or pebbles and wooden boards with hollowed out cavities. It is the national game of Ghana and is used as an educational tool in some African countries for teaching maths to young children. It is known by other names in different parts of Africa including mankala, ohoro and ayo.

Helena Norval, a teacher at Winton School who has organised the event said: "The kids are really excited about meeting up with other pupils across Islington for this oware competition. It shows how much pupils can learn from Africa, while having a bit of fun. My pupils have been practising so we're looking forward to a good competition."

A trophy has been donated by former Mayor of Islington, Jonathan Dearth, who recently hosted a celebration of links between schools in Islington and Africa at Islington town hall.

David Rosenberg, a teacher at Hanover School, who is also helping to organise the event said: "Several of the oware boards are being provided by international development charity Link Community Development (LCD) who set up the link between Hanover School and a school in Uganda, and Winton's link with a school in Ghana, and were keen to support this event.

"Through events like this and LCD's work, children are learning about African history, culture and life, breaking down stereotypes and enabling the students to become global citizens in this increasingly interdependent world."

The venue and refreshments have been provided by cea@islington.

For more information about LCD's work to improve education in Africa visit www.lcd.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. For more information, photographs or interviews please call Ben Miller on 020-7691-1818 or email ben@lcd.org.uk.

2. Link Community Development (LCD) is a non-profit organisation working in South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Malawi on long-term development projects, providing ongoing training and support to over 1000 schools. LCD's patron is Archbishop Desmond Tutu and is a registered charity in the UK. For more information, including how to link your school, visit www.lcd.org.uk.