Pamela Badila is the co-founder and director of Diata Diata International Folkloric Theatre based in Hudson, NY. Badila is a teacher, artist, storyteller, and mentor who has introduced youth of all ethnicities to the marvels of the African continent while encouraging an equitable appreciation for one another. In 2022, when she was challenged to help several of her adult mentees embark on a journey to engage firsthand with the culture of Ancestral Africa, she hardly balked. Funding from Berkshire Taconic’s Alice and Richard Henriquez Memorial Fund, awarded to support this journey, proved akin to icing on the proverbial cake.

“Although I had been before, this was an opportunity to help my students of many years to discover Africa in a safe and immersive manner,” said Badila whose trip with Curious on Tanzania allowed for on-the-ground research into the history, society and customs of Africa, which is not typically offered in our schools. “We were amazed by the beauty and charm of the country and the resourcefulness of the people,” said Badila of the ten days she and six college students — accompanied by Hudson community icon Paulette Clarke, owner of West Indies Natural Food and Grocery on Warren Street — spent exploring Tanzania in January 2023.

The Henriquez Fund that facilitated this important journey was formed in 1995 to support international experiences for young people and was born of a belief held by Mr. Henriquez that an understanding of other people and cultures is essential for a just world. “The pandemic reaffirmed the value of travel, and we are thrilled to be receiving applications like Pamela’s for service trips abroad,” said Sarah Stack, co-chair of the Henriquez Fund Committee. Sarah views these opportunities for personal growth — and the desire to become better informed citizens of the world by building bridges between people and cultures — as something to be encouraged, applauded, and supported. “These young people are our hope for a better future,” she emphasized.

This trip embodied the spirit of Mr. Henriquez’ belief and affirmed the power of travel to dispel misconceptions and animate connections with global histories. “The need to know is growing,” said Badila who, as a child, recalls Africa being depicted as a wasteland, supported by images of starving children and constant reports of wars despite the continent’s endowment of natural resources and its rich history. “The feeling of something vital to our sense of self being remarkably missing, and our desire to align with this connection we have been severed from so long ago,” she continued.

“We deeply appreciate the assistance offered by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation,” said Badila, who hopes to return with a project to visit yet another remarkable country very soon. “It’s more than learning, and it’s more than appreciating,” she said of the immersive experience that allowed her students to connect with the legacy of their ancestors. “It’s about reconnecting with the who-we-are within.”