In collaboration with Jeunes Chambres International (JCI) and the Scouts Organization, students between the ages of 9 and 12 joined the cultural scavenger hunt. On the agenda for the action-packed morning were educational and interactive games that blended mystery and discovery to teach about Kairouan’s cultural impact and history. Kairouan is one of the oldest and most influential Islamic cities in the world. Despite transferring the political capital to Tunis in the 12th century, Kairouan remained North Africa’s principal holy city. Its rich architectural heritage includes the Great Mosque, its marble and porphyry columns, and the 9th-century Mosque of the Three Gates. The medina of Kairouan has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1988. The students played games and learned about Kairouan’s history, as well as important figures who have shaped Tunisia, with an added focus on Kairouan’s influential women.

Despite having such a rich heritage, young people have felt increasingly disconnected from traditional culture. As one of the six USAID Visit Tunisia’s priority destinations, Kaiouran’s potential for tourism is vast. This program aims to help support the sustainable development of the city and greater region. A crucial component of that is inspiring young people to take ownership of the future of their home.

When asked about the importance of involving youth in cultural heritage preservation, the President of JCI Ghassen Kharrat noted, “Young people today don't know about their city and its origins. Kairouan is one of the most historically significant cities in the Middle East and Africa, but only a few students know its history. Very few young people know about historical figures who have made Tunisia what it is today. This project focused on memorable people who have greatly impacted our society. We wanted to inspire the students and show them that they can also be people who change our city, our minds, and our futures. And, if they learn about their heritage, they will also want to keep the city clean and beautiful for future generations.”

USAID Visit Tunisia Partner Engagement Specialist Ahmed Charfi attended the first iteration of the event in May. When asked about the importance of the Scavenger hunt, he echoed Kharrat’s sentiments by adding, “It was great because it provided awareness for young people to learn about the medina and Kairouan’s history while having fun at the same time. It’s great to be able to combine such a fun event for the purpose of discovery and learning.”

The event built upon USAID Visit Tunisia’s activities to engage youth to feel pride in their countries and heritage. In September, a clean-up day was organized in partnership with JCI, Kairouan’s Regional Tourism Commission, and the Tunisian Scouts. This beautification event was in preparation for Kairouan to host the Mouled festival, celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad and drawing over 1.2 million visitors to this holy city.

Many sponsors and stakeholders collaborated to make this event a success

For an engaging recap of the event, please watch the video on the USAID Visit Tunisia Facebook page.