Make the Link, Break the Chain culminates in Liverpool

Three students from the Make the Link, Break the Chain project visited Liverpool on 23rd August to open the new International Slavery Museum and take part in Slavery Remembrance Day.

Christella, Raiza and Salimata represented Haiti, Brazil and Senegal over the course of the opening events, memorials and festivities that took place.

They also got to meet international renowned musician, civil rights activist and slavery campaigner, Harry Bellefonte to talk about the project and their experiences. The girls also attended a workshop on modern day child labour and modern day slavery to draw comparisons between traditional interpretations of slavery and the work Plan combats in our programme countries.

National Museums Liverpool also gave a tour of the Amistad slave ship, a replica of the famous slave scooner which was moored in the Albert Dock.

The students learnt about the conditions slaves were transported in across the Atlantic and what awaited them in the New World.

Alongside their roles as official ambassadors the girls also had a chance to see Liverpool and experience ordinary English activities such as going for a Chinese meal and getting their hair done. The ladies at Million Hairs in Liverpool made a real fuss of the girls and even let them have a go at hairdressing!

The work that the students completed for the Make the link, Break the Chain project now has a permanent home in the International Slavery Museum. UK Students from the North West will have the chance to learn about the project, and the young people involved, in the Anthony Walker education centre within the museum.

There is a full set of lesson plans for the UK National Curriculum with associated pictures, videos and fact files, available in the learning centre.

These resources also currently being used by UNESCO.

For further detail or to make comments about the project, please contact plan-ed@plan-international.org.uk.