Final Grant Narrative- Eric Busse

7/31/2019 Final Grant Narrative- Eric Busse

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Ghana: Investigating the Arts and Fighting Modern Day Slavery

Background/statement/significance of problem

After graduating from Neenah High School in 2009, I lived in a homeless shelter. As

off the beaten path as that may seem, I arrived at that moment because I chose to takea year off and work as an unpaid intern at the Dream Center Los Angeles. The Dream

Center is a massive hospital-turned-homeless shelter, food pantry, outreach center, and

human trafficking recovery home. Living in this remarkable place and working with

thousands of homeless individuals inspired me to compose my first grant proposal in

fall 2010. I was fortunate to have Cardboard Citizens: Empowering the Homeless

funded by the UWL Undergraduate Research and Creativity program and as a result, I

was able to travel to London. While there, I undertook a qualitative study of how a

theatre company called Cardboard Citizens was using the life-changing performance

techniques of theatre practitioner and social activist Augusto Boal to empower and

encourage the homeless citizens of London. I was able to marry my experiences as an

intern at the Dream Center Los Angeles with what I learned in London; in turn

contributing to the ongoing conversation about the power of theatre and art in the

arena of social justice. Now, in my Junior year as a student at UWL, it is my intention to

expand the scope of my previous research by traveling to Ghana, West Africa to

investigate how a organizations like Free the Slaves and Challenging Heights are using

methods similar to Augusto Boals in order to rehabilitate and educate Ghanaian

children rescued from slavery.

The Dream Center created a program called The Rescue Project. This program was

designed to serve as a place where men, women and children rescued from human sex

trafficking could undergo secure and comprehensive recovery from what they had been

subjected to as slaves. Working around these victims and being conscious of their

situations instilled within me a passion to actively take part in the modern day abolition

movement. I am interested in conducting pertinent, relevant research on how dance,

music and drama are being used to help terminate modern day slavery. One

organization that has proved itself to be a leader in the fight against slavery is Free the

Slaves. This abolitionist non-governmental organization works to liberate slaves around

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the world. It was created in part by Nobel Laureate and social activist Rev. Desmond

Tutu. According to Free the Slaves:

There are 27 million people in slavery today. They are forced to work without pay,

under threat of violence, and theyre unable to walk away. You can find them inbrothels, factories, mines, farm fields, restaurants, construction sites and private

homes. Many slaves have been tricked by traffickers who lure vulnerable people with

false promises of good jobs or education. Some slaves are marched to work at

gunpoint. Others are trapped by phony debts from unscrupulous moneylenders. Slavery

is illegal everywhere, but it happens nearly everywhere (freetheslaves.net).

It goes without saying that the issue of modern day slavery is a topic worth time,

resources and research. In addition to serving as a voice for modern day abolition

efforts, Free The Slaves is also an advocate for organizations that use art forms as a

way to help end slavery. My desire to study the issue of modern day slavery in Ghana

stems from my passion for social justice, as well as a desire to gain and share

knowledge of how ancient traditional Ghanaian art forms are used as tools for social

justice in comparison to other social and artistic functions of dance, drama and music

that I am learning as a Theatre Major. The knowledge I will gain from this time in Ghana

will relate directly to my previous studies (and research) and will help articulateinnovative, creative ways to fight the rampant injustice of modern day slavery.

There is a large body of literature regarding the use of dance, movement and

theatre as a highly effective means of therapy. My own experience with Augusto Boals

method of Forum Theatre in London is proof that theatre can change lives (Boal

1979). However, there is not a substantial amount of literature about how these

methods can be used in relation modern day slavery, especially in regards to smaller

economic centers like Ghana, Haiti and Nepal where the issue of slavery is recognized

as being the most prevalent (ungift.org). There are a few reports though, that have

identified the value of drama, dance, movement and music in relation to freed slaves.

For example; in a 2008 report commissioned by Free the Slaves in partnership with the

U.S Department of Labor titled: Rebuilding Lives; An Introduction to Promising Practices

in the Rehabilitation of Freed Slaves, author Helen C. Armstrong points out that

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Dancing and drama have special value. Local traditions often include special songs

and dances for children. Teach these so they can fit in to their home culture again. The

literature that exists has been written largely by scholars of rehabilitation and trauma.

This creates a more broad view of how these methods are used because research

conducted by actual practitioners of dance, drama and music is limited . This is the

reason why my research, which is specifically focused on how traditional Ghanaian

performing arts are being used by Challenging Heights, is pertinent to the field. It is my

intention to color within these broad brush strokes to help bring more clarity to this

specific and relative issue.

Objective

If funded, I will be able to travel to Ghana for fourteen days during J-term 2012 with

the University of Massachusetts- Amherst to study at the Dagbe Cultural Institute and

research Challenging Heights, an NGO working in Ghana that uses performance as a

tool to help rehabilitate and educate exposed to slavery. I intend to conduct my

research with the following questions in mind:

* How do dance, drama, and music differ in Ghana when compared to what Istudy at UWL as a Theatre Major and Music Minor?* How does Challenging Heights use dance, drama, and music to help thesechildren recover and educate Ghanaian citizens?* How do these techniques and methods relate to my previous research withAugusto Boaland Cardboard Citizens?

Research MethodsI will be able to research and observe my objectives, in tandem with Challenging

Heights and the Dagbe Cultural Institute by following these steps:

1) Sample Literature:Boal, Augusto. Theatre of the Oppressed. New York: Theatre Communications

Group, 1979.Print.

Chernoff, John Miller. African Rhythm and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social

Action inAfrican Musical Idioms. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1979. Print.

Chernoff, John Miller. Hustling Is Not Stealing: Stories of an African Bar Girl.Chicago:

University of Chicago, 2003. Print.Jackson, Naomi M., and Toni Samantha Phim. Dance, Human Rights, and Social

Justice:Dignity in Motion. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 2008. Print.

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Nketia, J. H. Kwabena. Ghana: Music, Dance, and Drama; a Review of thePerforming Arts of

Ghana.Accra-Tema: Ghana Information Services, 1965. Print.Schutzman, Mady, and Jan Cohen-Cruz. Playing Boal: Theatre, Therapy, Activism.

London:

Routledge, 1994. Print.Warren, Bernie. Using the Creative Arts in Therapy: A Practical Introduction.London:

Routledge, 1993. Print.Wethered, Audrey G. Movement and Drama in Therapy; the Therapeutic Use ofMovement,

Drama, and Music.Boston: Plays, 1973. Print.

2) Study at Dagbe Cultural Institute by immersing myself in an intensive program oftraditional dance, singing and drama. I will be instructed by Ghanaian practitioners whoare masters in their fields.

3) Volunteer with Challenging Heights while in Ghana

4) Observe creative therapy sessions at Challenging Heights which use drama,movement and dance

5) Observe educational community events which use drama, singing and dance

6) Interview Challenging Heights Staff members to gain an in depth, qualitativeunderstanding of slavery in Ghana and their arts based recovery programs7) Compare these findings with previous research and works by Augusto Boal, as wellas with Cardboard Citizens: Empowering the Homeless.

The Dagbe Cultural Institute is an acclaimed educational body that strives to:

train people from all walks of life interested in Africa arts, culture through the medium

of music, dance drumming, drama etc, As well as To provide research assistance to

students and Associate Professors to study traditional music, dance, drama, weaving of

various types of kente, cloth, woodcarving, drumming production, religion and life

skills (www.catointl.org). Located in a traditional village of Kopeyia, this location

provides a completely unique, intensive study of Ghanaian culture and art. Immersion

into Ghanaian culture is essential for me to be able to observe how Challenging Heights

is using Ghanaian art forms to effectively fight child slavery. In addition to providing apractical way for me to become an educated observer, studying at the Dagbe Cultural

Institute will help enhance the knowledge and practice of traditional African art forms

for use during my time at UWL and as a working theatre professional.

Challenging Heights is making incredible headway in the fight against child slavery

and describes itself in the following way: Challenging Heights is a child-centered

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organization working in Ghana to promote childrens rights to education and freedom

from forced labor, in order to end child poverty. James Kofi Annan is the president of

Challenging Heights, and is also the recipient of the prestigious Free the Slaves

Freedom Award. If funded, I will have the opportunity to volunteer with this organization

for three days so I can witness how they use drama as well as traditional Ghanaian

dance, drumming and music to help rehabilitate children rescued from enslavement. I

will also be able to interview employees and other volunteers in order to gain more

insight into the goals of Challenging Heights and how Ghanaian art forms are being

used to accomplish those goals. The experience will serve as a qualitative, experiential

piece of research and will add new, vibrant observations to an arena in need of creative

and practical dialogue.

Volunteering at Challenging Heights will provide a direct outlet for me to

observe how the skills I will learn at the Dagbe Cultural Institute are being used to

empower Ghanaian children. I have already contacted the Director of Communications

at Challenging Heights, Amy Brinkley, and she is very supportive of the research I

intend on conducting (see attached). Challenging Heights focuses primarily on rescuing,

rehabilitating, and educating children who are enslaved at various fishing camps in and

around the capitol city of Accra. According to Free the Slaves:

A typical day might begin at 3 am and end at 8pm and include challenging taskssuch as casting nets, diving, and hauling, with only one meal served. Childrenoften get stuck in the nets at the bottom of the lake. If a child is caught escaping,the consequences can be brutal. Often the families do not hear from theirchildren again.

It is this type of slavery that Challenging Heights is fighting against. Specifically,

they are using drama, dance and song, created by rescued children to help prevent any

more victims from falling into the trap of enslavement. According to my

correspondence with Amy Brinkley It is a part of our community sensitization

programs. Challenging Heights has a group of students that go into communities where

they've identified trafficking and, along with our field staff and some teachers will host

community events that educate about child trafficking and labor through song and

dance and drama... It is events like these that I will be able observe in order to see

how these methods are being used to fight slavery, and how it specifically compares to

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similar methods associated with Augusto Boal which I researched during my time in

London.

Final Products and Dissemination.

I will be able to present what I have learned from the Dagbe Cultural Institute and

Challenging Heights at the Celebration of Student Research & Creativity festival in

spring 2014. I will create an oral presentation to present my findings about how

Challenging Heights is using drama, dance and music to end modern day slavery.

Additionally, I will conduct a workshop on traditional Ghanaian dance for members of

the UWL student body, UWL staff and La Crosse community members to highlight my

research at the Dagbe Cultural Institute. Finally, it is my intention to create a collegiate

chapter of Free the Slaves here at UWL with a focus on gathering artists and creative

minds to bring awareness to the problem of modern day slavery both abroad and here

in the US. I will send my compiled research to the Dagbe Cultural Institute, Challenging

Heights and Free the Slaves in order to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about how

the vitality of theatre, dance and music can propel us towards the mission of Rev.

Desmond Tutu and Free the Slaves; To end slavery in our lifetimes.

Bibliography:Armstrong, Helen C. "Rebuilding Lives: An Introduction to Promising Practices in the

Rehabilitation of Freed Slaves." (2008): 1-116. Free the Slaves. Web. 24 Sept.2012.

"Free the Slaves - Ghana." Free the Slaves - Ghana. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012..

"Free the Slaves - Modern Slavery." Free the Slaves - Modern Slavery. N.p., n.d. Web.24

Sept. 2012. .

"UN.GIFT.HUB - UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking." United Nations Global

Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking HUB. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2012..

"Volunteer Abroad, Drumming and Dancing Abroad with CATO in Ghana West Africa."Volunteer Abroad, Drumming and Dancing Abroad with CATO in Ghana WestAfrica. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept.2012..

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"Your Investment Will Change Lives." Challenging Heights: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 24Sept. 2012.

.

Complete Budget Breakdown

Airfare to and from Accra, Ghana- $1,300

Room, board, program at the Dagbe Cultural Institute and Challenging Heights for 14days- $2,150

Anti- Malaria Medications, Yellow Fever Vaccine- $200

Visa for entry into Ghana- $60

Total to complete research= $3,895

Total stipend requested- $600, to be used for above costs.

Total requested= $3,000

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2. Letter of Support

October 15, 2012

To: Undergraduate Research Committee

From: Dr. Beth Cherne, Department of Theatre Arts

Re: Eric Busses grant proposal, Ghana: Investigating the Arts and Fighting Modern Day

Slavery

Dear Committee Members:

I am writing in enthusiastic support of Eric Busses grant proposal, Ghana: Investigating the Arts and

Fighting Modern Day Slavery. I have known Eric for several years as a student in my classes, a

performer and choreographer in productions under my direction, and also as a successful writer and

researcher in previous undergraduate research grant work.

Eric is an excellent student, a dedicated artist/researcher, and committed activist. This proposal builds

upon previous work he has successfully completed, funded by the Undergraduate Research program

here at UW-L. His interest is in social-activist theatre, and his previous work studying a company in

London prepares him well for both the intellectual/artistic elements in his proposal and the challenges

of study abroad. His connection and plan to travel with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst

program is a smart way to integrate group travel and his individual plans. He will have both the time

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and the structure to complete the phases of his study. He has planned his activities very well, knowing

that his time in Ghana will be packed with activity.

Eric has also completed good background research into the activist theatre principles of key thinkers in

this field, and is working on his knowledge of Ghanian performative arts. He is a very mature studentwho is self-directed and able to integrate knowledge and experience in a manner that outdistances most

of his peers.

My role with Erics project is to advise the writing of the grant (he is an excellent writer, and needed

little guidance), guide his background reading, and advise the creation of his presentations after he

returns. He is very self-motivated and capable of independent planning and critical thinking.

I recommend full funding and have no reservations about the project. Eric will carry out this work

with skill, quality and thoughtfulness. I hope the committee decides to fully fund his project.

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3. Transcript

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4. Previously Funded Research Information (if applicable)

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If you do have not received previous funding, you may delete this section. If you have receivedprevious funding more than once, duplicate this table for each project.

Title of Proposal:

Cardboard Citizens: Empowering the Homeless

When did you receive funding for undergraduate research/creativity? How muchfunding did you receive? Include semester and year.

Fall 2010. I received $1,680.Who funded your work (Undergraduate Research and Creativity Committee, College

Deans, a faculty researesearch grant, or other source)?

Undergraduate Research and Creativity CommitteeDescribe the results/outcomes of your research/creativity project?

I was able to gain insight into how Augusto Boals Theatre of the Oppressed Techniqueswas were being used to provide practical support the homeless citizens of London.

Did /will you present your findings at the UW-La Crosse annual Celebration of Researchand Creativity? If so, what year?

I presented my findings in the spring semester of 2011 at the Celebration of Researchand CreativityDid/will you present your findings at any other conferences? If so, explain.

N/A

Did/will you submit a final report to UW-LsJournal of Undergraduate Research? If so,what year?

Yes, in 2011Did/will you publish your findings in any other journals? If so, explain.

N/A

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Documents

Final Grant Narrative- Eric Busse