SABA--The Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation, in partnership with the Child Focus Foundation, successfully concluded its 2026 Summer Cultural Exchange Program in Saba with a final presentation celebrating African and Caribbean culture, creativity and youth leadership.
Throughout the week, children between the ages of four and twelve participated in cultural workshops featuring African mask-making, djembe drumming, Afro Soca dance, living-statue performance and beginner and advanced stilt walking.
The final showcase gave the children an opportunity to demonstrate the skills, confidence and cultural knowledge they developed during the program. Participants shared information about the djembe drum, Adinkra symbols, Moko Jumbie traditions and living-statue performance before presenting their completed routines to the audience.
The younger participants performed African-inspired rhythms, displayed their handcrafted masks and presented an Afro Soca dance. The older group demonstrated their progress through living-statue movement and a stilt-walking presentation, with individual participants also given opportunities to perform solos and display their newly developed abilities.
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“This program was about more than teaching performance skills,” said Lucinda Audain, Founder and Creative Director of the Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation. “It was about helping children understand that our culture is something they can learn, celebrate and proudly carry forward. Watching them grow in confidence throughout the week and stand before an audience to share what they learned was a powerful experience.”
The program was led by a young team of Funtopia instructors, several of whom began their own journeys as children participating in Funtopia’s youth-development programs. They have since grown into trained performers, instructors and cultural ambassadors.
The instructional team included Denise Edward, who led Afro Soca dance and African mask-making; Quair Hodge, who facilitated advanced stilt walking and living-statue performance; Amanda Smith, who taught djembe drumming, Afro Soca and mask-making; and Zora Eeswijk, who assisted with beginner stilt walking, living statues, drumming and creative activities.
Their leadership demonstrated the long-term impact of investing in young people and creating opportunities for former participants to return as mentors for the next generation.
The Funtopia Youth Initiative Foundation extended its appreciation to the Child Focus Foundation for its continued partnership, hospitality and commitment to the children of Saba. Special thanks were also extended to the participating families, staff members, volunteers and community supporters who contributed to the success of the exchange.
The 2026 Summer Cultural Exchange Program concluded with new friendships, stronger confidence and a deeper appreciation for the shared cultural traditions connecting Saba, St. Maarten and the wider Caribbean.
