Viktor from Russia sends his Grandfathers photo |
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Kindred - Oral History Project
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What is the project about?
Students research events in the lives of members of their family or local community to find the impact of world or local history.
A student from the USA, Garrett Elms writes: “When Gordon (my grandpa) was eleven years old, he started going to Pickneyville Junior High School. At that time World War II was going on. Toys were limited so most children made up their own games. Games were played in the street because there were few cars because of the war effort...” This how students began sharing their histories to other students from all over the world.
In the Kindred project, students research events in the lives of members of their family or local community to find the impact of world or local history. Students are asked to interview member of their immediate family (mother, father, brothers, sisters), extended family (grandparents, uncles, aunts), neighbors or friends in the local community. They should ask them about experiences in their life that have been affected by the events of world or local history. Events may include war, natural disasters, migration, important discoveries, monuments, famous places and so on. Students should focus on the impact for the family.
We hope that families will enjoy an opportunity to share the stories of their ancestors. Students will be more aware of their place in the world and how their lives and the lives of their relatives are influenced by world events.
As a result of participation in Kindred Project, Students gain a greater understanding of themselves as a member of their local community and learn about life in other countries through the events that shape the life of other contributors. In addition, a book will be published and a web site will be made showing the stories and pictures sent.
"Oral history serves as an exciting process designed to increase student involvement and improve student insight into historical experiences. It involves students directly in a method of historical inquiry, which includes the organization and presentation of data directly from another person.
Oral history is an effective tool that requires students to become active participants in their own learning process. It invites inquiry, stimulates discussion, and transforms abstract concepts into concrete reality.
Oral history is a process that aids in the reconstruction of the past and in preserving and documenting culture. It is an extension of the art of storytelling. In this sense, each of us has an oral history - an account of where we come from and how we got to be who we are. Communities, likewise, each have an oral history. So, too, do nations, families, and human organizations of every sort"
- Farah Kamal, Pakistan |
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