The Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Academy’s curriculum focuses on 12 core content areas known as Challenges. The overall goal of each Challenge is for youth to gain competency in the skill area being covered through receiving, experiencing and teaching the new information. Once the youth has completed a series of activities within a particular content area, they earn a Challenge Badge. The badges represent building blocks of understanding and information. The intent is to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skill, which in the end will be able to support a high-rise, our youth’s potential realized.
The Challenge Badges of the Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment Academy are based on Adinkra symbols. African symbols known, as Adinkra, are symbols representing names and meanings that come from proverbs, historical events, human attitudes, animal behaviors, plant life, forms and shapes of inanimate and man-made objects.
- Personal Development
NYANSAPO- "Wisdom Knot"
Symbol of wisdom, ingenuity, intelligence and patience
An especially revered symbol of the Akan, this symbol conveys the idea that "a wise person has the capacity to choose the best means to attain a goal. Being wise implies broad knowledge, learning and experience, and the ability to apply such faculties to practical ends.
SESA WORUBAN- "I change or transform my life"
Symbol of life transformation
This symbol combines two separate adinkra symbols, the "Morning Star" which can mean a new start to the day, placed inside the wheel, representing rotation or independent movement.
GYE NYAME- "Except for God"
Symbol of the supremacy of God
SANKOFA- "Return and get it"
Symbol of importance of learning from the past
- Creating Positive Relationship
AKOMA NTOSO- "Linked Hearts"
Symbol of understanding and agreement.
OSRAM NE NSOROMMA- "The Moon and the Star"
Symbol of love, faithfulness, harmony
This symbol reflects the harmony that exists in the bonding between a man and a woman.
AKOMA- "The Heart"
Symbol of patience and tolerance
According to Agbo, when a person is said to "have a heart in his stomach," that person is very tolerant.
- Career Development
NKYINKYIM- "Twisting"
Symbol of initiative, dynamism and versatility.
OWO FORO ADOBE- "Snake climbing the raffia tree"
Symbol of steadfastness, prudence and diligence
Because of its thorns, the raffia tree is a very dangerous challenge to the snake. His ability to climb it is a model of persistence and prudence.
- Environmental Appreciation
DENKYEM- "Crocodile"
Symbol of adaptability
The crocodile lives in the water, yet breathes the air, demonstrating an ability to adapt to circumstances.
NSOROMMA- "Child of the heavens [stars] "
Symbol of guardianship
A reminder that God is the father and watches over all people.
- Life Skills
ABE DUA- "Palm Tree"
Symbol of self-sufficiency, resilience, vitality, wealth, and causation.
- Arts and Culture
ADINKRAHENE- "Chief of the Adinkra symbols"
Symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership
This symbol is said to have played an inspiring role in the designing of other symbols. It signifies the importance of playing a leadership role.
NSAA- "A type of hand-woven fabric"
Symbol of excellence, genuineness, authenticity
The quality of Nsaa has come to represent quality of workmanship in general.
- Computer Literacy
DWAN NIN AMEN- "Horns of the Ram"
Symbol of Humility and Strength; Wisdom and Learning.
- Academic Achievement
AYA- “The Fern”ADINKRAHENE- "Chief of the Adinkra symbols"
Symbol of a versatile and resourceful person, able to function on many levels and able to withstand difficulties.
HWE MU DUA- "Measuring Stick"
Symbol of examination and quality control
This symbol stresses the need to strive for the best quality, whether in production of goods or in human endeavors.
- Civic Responsibility and Involvement
FUNTUNFUNEFU-DENKYEMFUNEFU-”Siamese Crocodiles”
Symbol of democracy and unity
The Siamese crocodiles share one stomach, yet they fight over food. This popular symbol is a remind that infighting and tribalism is harmful to all who engage in it.
NKONSONKONSON- “Chain Link”
Symbol of unity and human relations
A reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength.
- Health and Fitness
DUA AFE- “Wooden Comb”
Symbol of beauty, love, fondness, patience, prudence, good feminine qualities, and care
MATE MASIE- “What I hear, I keep”
Symbol of wisdom, knowledge and prudence
The implied meaning of the phrase “mate masie” is “I understand”. Understanding means wisdom and knowledge, but it also represents the prudence of taking into consideration what another person has said.
- Conflict Resolution
ESE EN TEKREMA “The teeth and the tongue”
Symbol of friendship and interdependence
The teeth and the tongue play interdependent roles in the mouth. They may come into conflict, but they need to work together.
BIN NKA BI- “No one should bite the other”
Symbol of peace and harmony
This symbol cautions against provocation and strife.
- Business and Economic Literacy
OKUAFOO PA- “Good Farmer”
Symbol of greatness, charisma and leadership
Symbol of hard work, entrepreneurship, industry, and productivity.
MMUSUYIDEE- “That which removes bad luck”
Symbol of good fortune and sanctity.