UWE's Better Together Fund helps to change lives in Africa and the UK
Article written by UWE fundraiser Linda Ajam
UWE is helping 'Sithobelumthetho Primary School' in the township of Madadeni, South Africa, to bring choirs and dancers to the UK for a three week tour in summer 2013. During the visit the children will perform traditional songs and dances from Zulu culture at some of the leading venues in the South West, as well as on television and radio.
The project, titled Project Zulu, is led by a team who have a proven track record in organising exactly this kind of event. A four week UK tour for the choir from the same primary school in 1998 included local, national and international media coverage, a meeting with the then Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street, television appearances and concerts in several large theatres. Money raised during this tour was used to build two much needed new classrooms at the school.
The school faces many challenges in educating its 900 students. One of these is the cost and reliability of their energy supply. Money raised during the visit from concert ticket sales, donations and the sale of a CD will fund the purchase of solar panels for the school, which will save them money and provide a consistent source of renewable energy.
UWE will be matching donations made to the project, which cover the cost of the children travelling to and from the UK and the cost of their accommodation. The students will visit schools in the UK, performing, sharing concerts and attending lessons, which will be an enriching experience for both South African and UK pupils.
Steve West, Vice Chancellor for UWE, said: “I am delighted to support this fantastic project. There can be no doubt that education transforms lives and delivers opportunities. The very special impact of performance to explore cultures and diversity is exceptionally powerful. This project bridges continents, cultures, opportunity and education. There can be no greater challenge and no better way to invest in futures. We all gain to benefit from this project and that is why UWE Bristol will be a sponsor and I encourage you to do likewise. Transform lives, support education and deliver opportunity”.
If you would like to change lives and make a donation, please visit our Project Zulu web page.
Page last updated 19 July 2012