| Description | Grant file containing correspondence, reports, minutes, accounts, payments summary, copy lease, newspaper cuttings and funding requests relating to the Harambee Housing Association (HHA), the Pan-African Exchange Programme (PAEP) and the Marcus Garvey Educational Project (MGEP). Funding source(s): Barrow and Geraldine S. Cadbury Trust, Barrow Cadbury Fund. Applicant overview: The HHA charity was formed in 1971 out of the Black Community Workers (BCW) project with the support of the Birmingham City Council Social Services Department and the Birmingham Settlement. The aim of the HHA is to meet the needs of homeless youth and pre-school children. The HHA established the MGEP to, in their words, 1) provide a social situation for children of pre-school age (two years to five years) that will constitute a real learning situation, 2) provide a structural programme of educational activities relevant to the pre-school experience which will enable the children to develop necessary skills, including language development and concepts, 3) provide a secure environment which is responsive to the values of the cultural heritage of black children and will enable them to develop a positive identification with that culture, 4) prepare pre-school children for the school environment, 5) encourage parents to become involved in the education of their children and further understand their children's needs, and 6) impress upon parents the importance of the pre-school years and play activities involving toys etc. The PAEP is involved with bringing HHA staff and young people to Africa for a series work/educational camps. Nature of support: The Trust made a grant of £1,000 towards the running costs of the Marcus Garvey Day Nursery in 1980. In that same year the Trust agreed to continue rent support for MGEP at £2,000 per annum. In 1981 annual grants to the HHA were suspended pending the appointment of a bookkeeper. Contributions were also made to staff costs at the advice centre and housing centre as well as for the appointment of a bookkeeper. With this latter appointment annual grants of £5,500 to HHA were resumed. Minutes: B&GSCT 5030, B&GSCT 5105, B&GSCT 5218, B&GSCT 5274, B&GSCT 5307, B&GSCT 5309, B&GSCT 5579. Notes: HHA premises were occupied by the Rastafarian Advanced Movement (RAM) in July 1981 with resulting damage to the premises. A member of HHA staff suffered a nervous breakdown as a result of the occupation. After seven weeks a court order evicted the RAM occupiers. Rumours circulating in both the HHA and RAM camps suspected Trust involvement in the affair though these allegations were unfounded. In April 1983 the housing activities of the HHA collapsed and were taken over by the Shape Housing Association pending a reorganisation of the HHA. File organised by date from newest to oldest. File numbered '3/5'. |