Advertisement

Music

Congo classrooms

Musicians rallying behind an NGO is nothing new, but lately one advocacy group has been attracting the attention of some of Canada’s best urban recording artists.

The Canadian Ape Alliance funds educational programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has no free or compulsory education, and also works with local residents to spread awareness about the dangers of deforestation and the hunting and consumption of great apes.

The organization’s president and bioethicist Kerry Bowman believes wildlife conservation is closely linked to the survival of indigenous human populations.

“There’s absolutely no way of protecting the environment without working with local people and enriching and protecting human communities,” said Bowman during a press conference at Revival.

“Along with eating great apes comes the incredibly great risk of setting off diseases. HIV was originally linked to the consumption of chimpanzees.”

On Thursday (May 19) at Revival, Kardinal Offishall, Slakah the Beatchild, Ivana Santilli, Melanie Durrant, Justin Nozuka, Glenn Lewis and many others join Bowman for Congo Classrooms For A Brighter Future, a fundraiser for school construction.

“I firmly believe that every single child in this world deserves an opportunity to be educated,” says Slakah, who just concluded a European tour. “It is a human right. Also, people need to become aware of how little it takes to provide that [education].”

“People ask why I’m getting involved overseas when there are problems at home,” adds Santilli, hopping out of her seat with fervour. “It’s an aspect of being Torontonian, Canadian. We are worldly. Education is the root of discipline, self-worth, personal successes and challenges.”

Nozuka has toured Africa extensively. “The things we do on this planet ultimately affect us,” he says, “which is why we need to get involved in places that need it. [The Democratic Republic of Congo] is a place of magic.”

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted