Bocas Lit Fest introduces We Lit masterclass

WE LIT aims to turn young people on to English language and English literature as powerful tools for everyday self-empowerment. It is the newest intervention for young adults by the Bocas Lit Fest and is sponsored by the JB Fernandes Memorial Trust I.

Geared towards secondary school students in forms three-five, and particularly those who suffered most from the negative effects of the covid19 pandemic, We Lit runs parallel to the school curriculum and supports academic development while taking a lively, creative approach to encourage students to engage with and enjoy storytelling in all its forms.

The free and interactive CSEC level literature and language classes use live performances and film and introduces learners to books relevant to their particular challenges. Kicking off with a social media video campaign, We Lit includes an online masterclass on the power of telling stories, hosted by the 2022 First Citizens National Poetry Slam champion Derron Sandy. During the roll-out in the September-December school term, participants will develop narrative poems and learn the basic skills of journalling, creative writing, short stories, and poetry.

The project also incorporates a mini-school tour, featuring students’ spoken word performances and short stories.

To close off We Lit, a chapbook will be produced and made available as a library resource. All materials produced will be accessible year-round, nationwide.

Students enrolling with We Lit get the opportunity to be part of the pilot cohort of Bocas’ CSEC English A and English B online learning sessions and to acquire various valuable skills in preparation for their examinations. The tutorials are to be facilitated by Charlene Joseph-Holmes. who teaches forms two-six English language, English literature, literature in English, and communication studies.The covid19 pandemic intensified the daily challenges thousands of young people face, many of which are unaddressed in the classroom, yet literature is critical for an individual’s ability to comprehend and articulate thoughts and is essential for personal and career development.

For CEO of Bocas Lit Fest, Jean-Claude Cournand, “Literature is a masterful mechanism for self-reflection and self-exploration. Books are our companions, and we can grow to love them. We Lit will encourage students to read and write about themselves, just one of the ways in which literature can be experienced.” The JB Fernandes Memorial Trust I provides funding for initiatives that promote health, education, and poverty reduction in Portugal, TT, and the US.

Visit https://www.bocaslitfest.com/we-lit/ or follow @bocaslitfest on social media for more information or to sign up for We Lit.