Approximately 30 children, teenagers and young adults aged 5 to 20 have then since consistantly met in the Flexible Hall at Tasuba – Bagamoyo College of Arts on a daily basis in order to train their artistic skills. Bagamoyo’s youth doesn’t come from wealthy families and many cannot afford the fees of Bagamoyo’s prestigious Tasuba Arts College. Therefore, the Bagamoyo Youth Arts Programme is provi
ding free of fees or other obligations for children without financial means. The youths receive training in fine arts, dance and acrobatics. They use those skills to gain self-confidence, stay off the streets, find structure in their lives and enjoy their time with the group that for many has become like a family. Young boys and girls sharpen their talents here and often prepare for a career as artists, but also in the army or police force, or self-employment or teachers. The group was founded by Mr Issa Said Mtumbwe and Mr Israel Hadoram Kiyame. Mr Issa, who comes from the area of Songea, has been practicing primary school acrobatics since 1974. From 1984-1987 he received professional training at Tasuba. Issa is the trainer for acrobatics, dance and music and his high spirits and continuous enthusiasm still brings smiles to all his young students every day. Israel has also been an artist for all his life. He started his painting career in primary school, where his talents were discovered and in 1969 got him invited to the International Student Art Competition in New York City, USA, where he was honoured as Gold Medal Finalist in the Metropolitan Museum. He subsequently studied fine arts and textile design in Nigeria from 1981-1985 and worked in the national textile company Tanzania from 1986-1990. After having worked as renown artist and textile designer in Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, he now works as a freelance designer and supports social projects empowering street children and disadvantaged youth through art projects. Since Mr Issa and Mr Israel founded the group 11 years ago, it has evolved into a beloved fixture at Tasuba and has empowered many local youths in Bagamoyo. The group has not only boosted its member’s self-confidence and individual artistic skills, it has also managed to claim a name of its own. The group has managed to excel artistically and has become renown for impressive acrobatic, electrifying dances and humorous theatrical performances. In recent years, Bagamoyo Youth Arts Promotion has been invited to perform at various events including festivals, functions, opening of businesses and events in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar es Salaam.
