On Africa Day 25 May 2024,  Beyond Skin and our friends OpenNet4.0 Zambia are delighted to announce a new project community venture with a community centre in Choma that will forge a bridge between youth in Northern Ireland and Zambia delivering shared arts projects focused on the SDGs.

The building has been gifted on a shared basis by Choma Municipal council, a local authority in Choma district of the southern province of Zambia and the renovation of the building or facility into a residential and cultural centre has begun and is referenced as BOC001 with all projects allocated a catalogue number.

Digital exchange projects will start immediately with physical exchange trips beginning in 2025.
Next month Zambian musician and human rights activist Smack Jay will visit Northern Ireland for a series of programmes with youth and public performances for Make Music Day and school events.

Darren Ferguson CEO Beyond Skin said

"I am so excited about this shared venture through this building and I applaud Choma local authority for their vision supporting this innovation strengthening Northern Ireland Zambia connections. Together through creativity there is no doubt that the journey and outcomes will impact the lives of many, assisting young people develop and express their skills for peace, security, equality, care for each other and our planet"

Sipho Mwanza, the Executive Director of OpenNet For All Zambia, expressed joy over this  new project of transforming a community hall  into a district youth recreation center in Choma and said

"This project will ensure that young  people develop their talent and harness their skills to their full potential and I am so happy to be part of such a project that catalyzes and inspires positive change in the lives of young people in Zambia and Northern Ireland and am looking forward to support peer to peer learning and exchange of knowledge between the youths in Zambia and Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that this project will bring about the young people's innovation , energy and foster a new pathway for catalyzing and localization of sustainable development goals, foster cultural exchange and put young people at the center of peace building, many thanks to Beyond Skin and Choma Municipal council for coming onboard to collaborate and support  such a venture  "

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Beyond Skin started working with OpenNet in 2019 co-hosting a shared festival in Zambia in 2020   beyondskin.net/zambia