Learning from Legacy

OUR Programmes

Through this programme we use exhibitions and other educational platforms to engage learners, young people, and the public with the histories of resistance, and solidarity based on the uncompromising bravery that define the impact of Desmond and Leah Tutu.

Programmes

Schools Programme

The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation’s Schools Programme, launched in September 2022, offers a comprehensive educational experience that integrates the school curriculum with key themes of oppression and resistance, justice, active citizenship and leadership, anchored in the Truth to Power permanent exhibition.

Programmes

TUTUtots

The Foundation’s early childhood development (ECD) programme, fondly known as TUTUtots, is aimed at inculcating the values and principles of Archbishop Tutu in young children aged 4 to 8 years.

TUTUtots

Desmond’s World Puppet Show

The Arch said “Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things.” In 2023 in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) (through funding from the German Bavarian Parliament) we launched our first offering dedicated to 4 to 8 year olds: a puppet show called Desmond’s World. Based on an adaptation of the children’s book written by the Arch – Desmond and the Very Mean Word – the puppet show engages with young children and their teachers around topics of bullying, forgiveness, and ubuntu. These socio-emotional skills are fundamental to develop at a young age, and through the playful nature of puppetry we aim to create a platform for children to grow their capacities. The Desmond’s World puppet show launched in November and by the end of the year had already captured the bright minds of 550 pre-schoolers and foundation phase learners. We have received very positive reviews from ECD practitioners and teachers, with tales of children going back to their schools and crafting their own puppet shows! In 2024 we aim to expand the audience for Desmond’s World, and to expand the range of stories we tell – drawing on other children’s books written by Desmond Tutu.

Programmes

Legacy Work

This programme continues the legacy of Archbishop Desmond and Mrs. Leah Tutu through temporary exhibitions, community outreach events, and collaborations with organisations and individuals who share their values.

Through using the platform of the Truth to Power exhibition, we engage a wide range of audiences in learning about the story and impact of Archbishop Desmond and Mrs Leah Tutu.

Leading for Humanity

We bring together diverse groups of leaders from across society to do the
work of self-repair for societal repair – by exploring the values of compassion, ubuntu, forgiveness, courage, and justice.

Leading for Humanity

This programme builds a dynamic connection between the internal work we need to do as human beings and our contribution to reshaping our societies. We use in-person and online tools to grow diverse circles of courage around the world – a network committed to justice, equality, healing, and our shared humanity.

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Advocacy for Societal Healing

At the heart of our work is the mission to extend Archbishop Tutu’s commitment to societal healing, so powerfully demonstrated through chairing the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Advocacy for Societal Healing

Through this work we engage in:
• Reconciliation, through which we keep trying to find each other across divides;
• Reparation, through which we collectively take action against injustice and oppression; and
• Reimagination, through which we reimagine who we can be together as a society.
We do this through courageous conversations, healing methodologies, and deep dialogue work to strengthen democracy, tackle violence and conflict, and build our shared humanity.

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