Ashay: Rites of Passage/Ashay Clubs

 

Ashay: Rites of Passage/Ashay Clubs

As President and CEO of Black History Works, Inc., Van Putten is the creator and founder of a number of programs that promote knowledge of Black history and culture. Ashay: Rites of Passage and Ashay Clubs, known in the United States as Black History Workshops for Children (BHWC), is a character education program designed to expose children, ages 5-16, to the history and culture of global African peoples with the goal of developing self-esteem, motivation and pride. The Ashay Teen Summer Institute for teenagers encourages self-examination with a focus on values, goals and plans towards achievement.

Ashay programs are based on universal African values, Ma’at and the Nguzo Saba.  Ma’at, originating in Kemet (ancient Egypt) represents Truth, Justice, Righteousness, Harmony, Balance, Order and Reciprocity.  The Nguzo Saba are the values celebrated during Kwanzaa, a Pan-African cultural holiday.  Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith are the values celebrated and highlighted during Kwanzaa.  Additionally, the Ashay Objectives were developed by Mwalimu Van Putten and are a cornerstone of Ashay programs for children.

Various configurations of Ashay Clubs have been created to meet the needs of both children and adults.  Ashay Babies! and Ashay Kids! are programs for children ages 5 to 7 and 8 to 11; classes must be attended by both the child and a parent or grandparent.  Facilitated by the Guide to Self-Knowledge workbook crafted for the specific age group, the classes are small (up to 8 participants).  The rationale is grounded in reinforcement – parents and/or grandparents must be able to reinforce the information and the time together builds another level of bonding and connecting.  Adults are required to be students of Ashay University with the goal of anchoring families in the culture for long-term community building.

 

The Ashay Objectives by Mwalimu Melodye Micere Van Putten, MA

1.  I am valuable and have genius.

2.  My history and culture are sources of knowledge with lessons to be learned.

3.  I must develop my character in order to have a successful life.

4.  The whole world is waiting for me to contribute my gifts and talents.

 

Ashay: Rites of Passage/Ashay Clubs

As President and CEO of Black History Works, Inc., Van Putten is the creator and founder of a number of programs that promote knowledge of Black history and culture. Ashay: Rites of Passage and Ashay Clubs, known in the United States as Black History Workshops for Children (BHWC), is a character education program designed to expose children, ages 5-16, to the history and culture of global African peoples with the goal of developing self-esteem, motivation and pride. The Ashay Teen Summer Institute for teenagers encourages self-examination with a focus on values, goals and plans towards achievement.

Ashay programs are based on universal African values, Ma’at and the Nguzo Saba.  Ma’at, originating in Kemet (ancient Egypt) represents Truth, Justice, Righteousness, Harmony, Balance, Order and Reciprocity.  The Nguzo Saba are the values celebrated during Kwanzaa, a Pan-African cultural holiday.  Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith are the values celebrated and highlighted during Kwanzaa.  Additionally, the Ashay Objectives were developed by Mwalimu Van Putten and are a cornerstone of of Ashay programs for children.