The Tasso Island Voluntourism Project was established to promote empowerment and education within the African American community, while also providing an opportunity for volunteers to assist in the development and growth of the community of people living on Tasso Island.
Tasso Island Collective
Benefits and initiatives that we support:
- Celebrating and Preserving Cultural Heritage
- Promoting Economic Empowerment
- Fostering Community Engagement
- Educating and Empowering People of Tasso & It’s History
The Tasso Island Collective is an interfaith group of Sierra Leonean diaspora who are actively seeking to strengthen the connections of heritage, culture, and resources within the communities of Sierra Leone. Tasso Island is not itself a nonprofit organization, but rather a program and voluntourism initiative of Legacy Designs Studio Inc.
Legacy Designs Studio Inc., a 501c3 DBA Legacy Builders and Empowerment, is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the lasting effects of slavery on African American individuals and communities. Our mission is to promote healing, empowerment, and justice by advocating for reparations, education reform, mental health support, cultural preservation, community engagement, and the dismantling of systemic racism.
The African American Genealogical Volunteerism and Development Project on Tasso Island aims to promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of African Americans in the area, while also supporting economic and community development efforts. The project will prioritize activities that provide resources and support for African American genealogical research, promote the preservation and celebration of African American cultural heritage, and support economic and community development efforts.
CHALLENGES THE ISLAND IS FACING
Oku Town source of pure water. 2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water at home. We need to keep in mind the vulnerability of women and children especially girls to this challenge of walking to get water for the household. This is also the spot at Oku Town where the Slave Merchants got water to use for Bunce island.
An open defecation site for children in the Primary School as toilet is not functional. The others use the Bush close by adding to a global challenge of 494 million people practicing open defecation due to lack of WASH access.
Students have inadequate classrooms and supplies. There are three schools on the Island to serve over 500 students of various ages.
CURRENT PROJECTS & INITIATIVES
Sustainable Sanitation Stations
THREE-CHAMBER TOILET SYSTEM:
this design is mainly for rural and sub-urban settings where it’s difficult to dig the ground and people are involved in agriculture.
- Does not smell. Does not get fill
- All the remains turn into water after every two months.
- Is mobile and can be transferred to another location at any time.
Can also have a possibility of water in it to wash hands.
Each is approximately $1500 USD
Sustainable Water Wells
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BOREHOLE AND PUMP: The SL pump system is a locally made hand pump system using locally available materials found in local shops. The pump is sustainable and can be maintained and constructed by the users themselves when trained. The pump can eject water from a depth of 60m to a surface for users Each is approximately $2000 USD |
K-12 Education
STUDENT DESKS FOR TASSO ISLAND:
The first project Tasso Collective worked on was in the Spring of 2022.
We worked with local community members and educators to assist with the needs of the three schools on the Island to make sure that students have classrooms, desks, and school supplies to complete their education.
300 Student desks were approximately $3000 USD
GOALS & PROJECT NEEDS
Project Description:
The African American Genealogical Volunteerism and Development Project on Tasso Island aims to promote and celebrate the cultural heritage of African Americans in the area, while also supporting economic and community development efforts. The project will prioritize activities that provide resources and support for African American genealogical research, promote the preservation and celebration of African American cultural heritage, and support economic and community development efforts.
Goals:
- To support African American genealogical research and preserve family histories
- To educate and raise awareness about the history of African Americans of the Tasso Island area
- To provide opportunities for African American volunteers to reconnect o the community and make a positive impact
- Promote cultural awareness and education about Tasso Island, Temne culture, and its connection to African Americans and the African Diaspora as a whole.
Needs Assessment:
The Tasso Island community has a rich history and cultural heritage, particularly in relation to the experiences of African Americans. However, there are several challenges facing the community that require attention and action. In order to prioritize the volunteerism programs, we must first understand the current community needs and top challenges.
Another key challenge facing the Tasso Island community is the lack of funding for the preservation and celebration of African American cultural heritage. Without adequate funding, it can be difficult to promote and showcase the cultural traditions and artifacts that are important to the community’s identity and history.
Additionally, the Tasso Island community lacks adequate infrastructure, which can impact economic and community development efforts. The area lacks adequate water supply, sanitation, power, and communication systems, which can hinder job creation and business development.
Finally, there is a need to create job opportunities and support local businesses in the Tasso Island area, which can be challenging in a rural and historically marginalized community. Without access to economic opportunities, community members may struggle to make a living and provide for their families.
Overall Objective:
Our objective is to establish an exceptional voluntourism project that enables volunteers to utilize their professional skills while experiencing Tasso Island’s unique people, history, and culture. By staying on the island and contributing to its development, volunteers can broaden their knowledge and leave a positive impact.
Our vision of our future Guest Home/Community Center on Tasso
In order to address these needs and challenges, the volunteerism programs prioritize activities that provide resources and support for African American genealogical research, promote the preservation and celebration of African American cultural heritage, and support economic and community development efforts on Tasso Island. These include, but are not limited to:
Planned Volunteer Opportunities Activities:
- Archival and Digitization: Volunteers can help digitize and archive historical documents, photographs, and other materials related to African American genealogy and history.
- Genealogical Research: Volunteers with expertise in genealogy can help research family histories and provide assistance to visitors in tracing their family trees.
- Educational Programming: Volunteers can help develop and deliver educational programming related to African American history, genealogy, and culture.
- Cultural Preservation: Volunteers can assist in the preservation of African American culture by helping to preserve artifacts, documents, and other materials.
- Oral History Collection: Volunteers can collect oral histories from community members to preserve the stories and experiences of African American families.
- Conservation and Environmental Stewardship: Volunteers can help with conservation efforts and environmental stewardship, including the maintenance of natural areas and the promotion of sustainable practices.
- Water and Sanitation Infrastructure: Volunteers can participate in the installation and maintenance of water and sanitation systems, including the construction of wells, installation of water pumps, and the maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities.
- Energy Infrastructure: Volunteers can assist in the development and maintenance of energy infrastructure, including the installation of solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy sources.
- Building and Construction: Volunteers can assist in the construction and renovation of buildings, including housing, meeting spaces, and other facilities.
- Telecommunications Infrastructure: Volunteers can help in the installation and maintenance of telecommunications infrastructure, including the development of high-speed internet access and other telecommunications systems.
- Environmental Infrastructure: Volunteers can help in the development and maintenance of environmental infrastructure, including the management of natural resources, the promotion of sustainable practices, and the protection of local ecosystems.
- Emergency Infrastructure: Volunteers can help in the development and maintenance of emergency infrastructure, including the construction of emergency shelters, the installation of warning systems, and the development of evacuation plans.
- Healthcare Infrastructure: Volunteers can help in the development and maintenance of healthcare infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.
- Educational Infrastructure: Volunteers can help in the development and maintenance of educational infrastructure, including the construction and renovation of schools, libraries, and other educational facilities.
- Agricultural Infrastructure: Volunteers can help in the development and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure, including the construction and repair of irrigation systems, the development of sustainable farming practices, and the construction of agricultural buildings and facilities.
- Fishing Equipment and Infrastructure: Volunteers can assist with the maintenance and repair of fishing equipment and infrastructure, including boats, nets, traps, and storage facilities.
Join today and you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, privileges, and recognition available only to Tasso donors.
Make a one-time donation in an amount of $25
Join today and you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, privileges, and recognition available only to Tasso donors.
- A subscription to our quarterly newsletter
Join today and you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, privileges, and recognition available only to Tasso Collective Members!
Become a Tasso Collective Member by Contributing $25 per month
Join today and you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, privileges, and recognition available only to Tasso Collective Members!
- Invitations to members-only events with voting privileges
- A subscription to our quarterly newsletter
- Free admission to Legacy Designs Studio Exhibits
- 10% Discount on Legacy Lab Genealogy Workshops
Join today and you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, privileges, and recognition available only to Monthly donors.
Make a monthly contribution of $10 per month
Join today and you’ll enjoy valuable benefits, privileges, and recognition available only to Monthly donors.
- A subscription to our quarterly newsletter
- Free admission to Legacy Designs Studio Exhibits