SEC – Article -Sustainable development and art

This activity was carried out as part of a solidarity project with Senegal. Three 5th grade classes studied Senegal during history-geography lessons: its colonial past, its current political system, its education and health system, economic and environmental problems, crafts.

They also discovered the culture of this country and the traditional instruments were studied during the music lessons: the djembe, the balafon, the kora and the multitude of percussion instruments made from calabashes or dried fruit. Inspired by Senegalese craftsmen, they made musical instruments using recycled materials ( wood scraps, corks, plastic bottles, etc.) during technology lessons. They also made a papier-mâché baobab during the lunchtime club led by their plastic arts teacher.

They met a Senegalese griot: Boubacar N'Diaye and attended one of his shows: "Spider's forgiveness" during which he used small traditional percussion instruments.

The students realised how important environmental protection is, and the value of a collective action : the artifacts were exhibited and used during a day of reception from a primary school to our school. Several sales of objects were organized and the raised money which will be used to improve the living conditions of Senegalese schoolchildren.