ERETSHA – On the 7 th of March 2023, Children in the Wilderness Botswana (CITW), together with prominent local Botswana artist Chris Manto 7 (below, centre), in collaboration with U.S. Embassy hosted Rhyme Like a Girl (RLAG) at Eretsha Village. Rhyme Like a Girl is an American Music Abroad (AMA) band, featuring female US hip-hop performers who develop, grow and promote a positive image of women in hip-hop music culture.
AMA is a cultural diplomacy programme that brings together American musicians with global audiences. AMA artists represent the new generation of musical ambassadors, reaching beyond concert halls to interact with other musicians and citizens around the globe. Every year, approximately 10 ensembles of American music in different genres are selected to embark on a two-to three-week-long, multi-country tour, where they engage with international audiences through public concerts.
This year, Botswana was among the countries chosen for this cultural exchange, and CITW and its partner schools from the Okavango Community Trust area (Gudigwa, Beetsha, Eretsha, Gunotsoga and Seronga primary schools) were chosen to host the workshop. The children performed in small groups and demonstrated their passion for the arts, poetry, singing and dancing, alongside the band members. It was an amazing sight to watch the children’s talent being unleashed.
The event was graced by Eretsha Village Chief, Mr Boitshwarelo Mosenyegi, and Regional Environmental Education Co-ordinator, Mrs Veronica Ridge. The CITW team would like to direct its special gratitude to the US Embassy Botswana, Rhyme Like a Girl band, Wilderness Botswana, Wilderness Air, Mr Chris Manto 7, the Ministry of Basic Education and Eretsha Chief, Kgosi Boitshwarelo Mosenyegi, for their support during this workshop.
