Post by Leonard Bukenya

⛓️ Slavery was never only about iron chains. It was about access. It decided the fate of people. Who could learn, move, build a life and become something. ⛓️‍💥 Today is Keti Koti. 🇸🇷 In Sranan Tongo it means "the chains are broken." On 1 July 1863, the Netherlands abolished slavery in Suriname and the Caribbean. A system built to deny people their own future was finally gone. Today, this picture is another day at the office at Codam College, the Homeland Festival is opening with a Keti Koti programme right outside the main entrance of Codam College. Brouwerij Homeland festival prides itself on being for all people of the City of Amsterdam, where everyone belongs, regardless of background. 🌍 🇺🇬 For me, with African heritage this is both personal and fits with why Codam exists: the conviction that everyone deserves the chance to own their future. We still live with systems that quietly decide who gets in and who does not. The traditional education system is one of them. It asks for the right diploma, the right background, the right starting point before it opens the door. Too many talented people are locked out before they even get the chance. 💥 At Codam we broke those chains. No teachers, no tuition fees, no prior qualifications. A peer-to-peer model that frees people from the limiting factors built into the old system. Marcus Garvey said it first, and Bob Marley made it concrete: emancipate yourself from mental slavery. Freeing minds so people can choose their own path, have control over their own lives, and explore their potential. The chains are broken. Now let us make sure the doors stay open John Olivieira Akwasi O. Ansah Brian Hirman Ingrid Tappin 🏳️‍🌈 Kemo Camara Gwen Kolader Nancy Poleon Ruben Brave Barbara Boid★ Arno Peperkoorn Stephan Alspeer Roger Olivieira (currently fundraising) Roger Brunings Gianni Lieuw-A-Soe Daniël Munro Maurice Angenois Tarik Yousif Kobi Ampoma Jason Esseboom Tsnatee Elisa Corinne Vigreux Jo Weston #ketikoti #codam #breakthechains #emancipation #socialmobility