Cross Cultural Collaborative is an educational non-profit that encourages creative interaction between people from around the world and their counterparts in Ghana where we have established a cultural center/guest house. Programs are centered around cultural exchange and understanding through the arts. We are in a fishing village and offer workshops with indigenous African artisans – artist residencies – cultural awareness workshops – opportunities to work with local children – culturally significant tours and other activities that bring people together in a supportive community. We rent rooms in our cultural center/guest house where you can also be part of our community if you prefer not taking part in any of our programs.
This is an opportunity to explore a culture unlike your own. Interesting things happen when you are in a new environment and open yourself to new ways of seeing things. Workshops are held on our rooftop overlooking an African fishing village. You want come to us if you want to interact on a personal level with our Ghanaian friends, neighbors and creative allies. This is a way to connect with creatives from different cultures where you can create and exchange ideas.
One of the reasons we started CCC is because we saw visitors coming to Ghana and having superficial ,if any, connections with locals and then going home and saying they experienced Ghana. Our programs are open to all ages – skill levels and disciplines.
IF IT’S IN GHANA WE CAN DO IT!
The co-directors of Cross Cultural Collaborative are Ellie Schimelman and Michael Bortei.
Ellie is an American creative who has been embedded in Ghana for so many years that people there call her Aba Obroni… a white woman born on Thursday. She divides her time between Boston, USA and Ghana. Ellie facilitates programs at Aba House cultural center -orients visitors as a liaison between their culture and that of Ghana – and is mother hen to local children and artisans.
Her contact in the States is: 45 Auburn Street, Brookline, MA 02446 – phone: 617-277-0482
Michael first came to Aba House as a 7 year old participant in programs that taught local children to be creative and self confident. Now, as a young adult, he is truly a renaissance man organizing activities – leading tours -teaching workshops and managing day to day operations at the cultural center/guest house.
What the directors share is a love of the Ghanaian culture and a desire to introduce visitors to personal connections with a vibrant community of creatives.
