The Geez Alphabet Project (GAP)

GAP donates the Geez Alphabet Project but GAP has also its own connotation. It implies a huge space that needs to be filled. Children and young people in the Tigrayan Diaspora are deprived of their culture, language, history and tradition. The language gap between the old and young generations has never been more evident than the last three years when children and young people stopped travelling to their home country to visit their grannies, aunties and uncles owning to the Covid-19 pandemic followed by the two long years of genocide and total siege of Tigray. The late Memhir Gebrekidan Desta, a passionate writer and eloquent speaker of both Tigrigna and Geez languages, once said that the mother tongue is not merely a means of communication but it is also an identity.

In 2009, WHEAT Mentor Support Trust started teaching 60 Tigrayan children their mother tongue in TDA House, South London in co-operation with Tigray Development Association (TDA). Then in 2012 WHEAT MST set up a Geez alphabet class for 30 Ethiopians in collaboration with a small group known as ABUGIDA in the London Borough of Newham. The growing need and demand for the Geez alphabet has now prompted to re-open the Geez class for the children and young people of Tigray who live in and around the London Borough of Hackney. This programme helps to close the intergenerational communication gap between the parents who speak and write in Tigrigna using the Geez alphabet and their children who mostly speak and write in English or other European and Middle Eastern languages. Various studies in this area confirm that learning the mother tongue enhances the learning of other languages.

The ultimate aim of The Geez Alphabet Project (please see the link below for details) is to preserve the ancient script, the only indigenous script in Africa, which is on the verge of extinction. So many parents in the United Kingdom have shown interest to pass on what they inherited from their ancestors to their children. Hence, the Geez Alphabet Project was launched on 28^th January 2023 which will eventually grow into a Geez Academy.

Geez Alphabet Project FINAL Draft for Ulla docx

Children Activities

WHEAT MST also supports the children of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants aged 3-15 years old with the aim of promoting their physical and mental well being, social skills and their successful integration into the host society and become good citizens.

We offer free coaching in football, basketball, tennis, snooker, skittles and skipping. We also run activities such as dance, art, gardening, food preparation and farm trips.

Children’s Registration Form

If you are interested in bringing your children to take part in the various activities WHEAT runs then please fill out the application form (children-registration-form).

The following quotes are from children, parents and project leaders of the first programme which stated in the Summer of 2007 “I like the variety of activities; the friendliness of everyone; the opportunity to work with children in a relaxed atmosphere. I think this was valuable experience for all concerned.”- Sue, Art Teacher

“I like watching the children progress and improve over the weeks; the children displaying confidence in all activities and always having a go; seeing it all come together at the end; seeing what the children had achieved. I thoroughly enjoy working with the children and fellow adults.” – Marina, Dance and Music Teacher

“It was such a pleasure to participate in this activity over the summer period. This group was a terrific group of basketball fans, who learnt quickly and had a good time playing every Saturday. Edwin Diosa (level 2 coach), assisted the group and carried out most of the sessions. He was very impressed with the development of these young players. We look forward to repeat the experience. Providing access to a sport activity to refugee/migrant children is a new experience and has a positive impact on their well-being, their health, not to mention making new friends and having a good time in a safe environment.” – Jose Celorio, Basketball Coach, Summer 2007

“The art and dance was useful and it was fun.” – Child A

“It made me feel happy. It is useful because it helps me and other children become more active. It also stops kids being bored.” – Child B

“Meeting new people was great.” – Child C

“It is a good programme for these kids. Keep it up!” – Parent A

“Activities were fun, children enjoyed themselves, excellent care given, nutritious lunches.” – Parent B