KwaYa!Australia!!President s!report!6!2014!

Transcription

1 KwaYaAustralia President sreport62014 MarshaGusti 2014

2 Welcome Inopening,Iwouldliketothankmyfellow CommitteeMembersfortheirincredible supportandassistanceduring2014. AdditionallyIwouldliketothankthose Members(nonCommittee)whofrequently offertheirassistanceandtime,andall Membersforyourcontinuedsupportof KwaYa. Title 1

3 Contents Welcome 1 MakingaDifference 3 Kwaya#4TriptoUganda 3 BigSingintheDesert 6 ArtsofAfrica 7 BigHearts 9 StitchMeWarm 10 HarleyMead 13 UnderOneSky 14 President striptousa 15 GrantforBus 16 ChangeinCommittee 16 Title 2

4 MakingaDifference It is only when I sit down to write the President s Report that I fully appreciate the tremendous triumphsthatwemanagetoachieveeachyear.we areanorganisationthatcontinuestogrowandnot onlyrealizesitsvisionbutconsistentlyexpandsupon it. Makingadifference maybeaphrasethatseemsa littleclichéthesedaysbutitcertainlydescribeswhat we are doing with a passion and dedication that trulyhumblesme.. KwaYa#4 TriptoUganda Title In April we completed our fourth trip to Uganda to work with The African Children s Choir on projects in the slums of Kampala. Being a smaller group of only thirty people instead of fifty, we found it much more manageable. New and exciting elements were introduced into the tour that resulted in it being even more popular and tremendously successful. Yet another group of adventurers had their hearts touchednevertobethesameagain. 3

5 Under the musical direction of Janet Swain a choirwasformed.itwasmadeupofregistered tour singers, nervous non6singers and the stunningvoicesoftheyoungafricans.thiswas the first time the university students (who grewupintheacc)joinedkwayamembersto rehearse and sing making up our performing choirinuganda. Title 4 Some Kwaya members also had the rare opportunity to play a hand crafted Ugandan harp.itwastaughttothembyanupandcoming talented Ugandan musician called Priceless Love.Afterhavingtheinstrumentintheirhands foronlysixdays,theyjoinedthecholronstage andplayeditasbackinginoneofthesongsthat was also written and composed by Priceless Love. Furthermore, we had the privilege of the kids of Choir #42 in trainingwhilstwestayedatthechoiracademy.thiswasarare treataswegottospendspecialplaytimewiththekids,seethem in training and also join them at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Specialbondswereformedandwillbereignitedupontheyarrival inaustraliastraightfromtourintheusainapril2015.

6 Title EventhoughKwaya#4hadamuch6reducednumberofparticipants,theydidnotdisappoint whenitcametofundraisingfortheafricanchildren schoir.theyraised$79,264.73with $36,207beingraisedbythetopfourfundraisersalone AdrianLehane $13, CateJaede 6 $ SuzeMonro $ (Fundscontinuedafterthetripwascompleted) 4. LibbyPacker $ AdrianLehane CateJaede SuzeMonro LibbyPacker ItisworthnotingthatAdrianisthehighestsingletripfundraiserinthehistoryofKwaYaandthis islibby ssecondtriptougandawithanequallyincrediblefundraisingeffortbothtimes.suzeis oneofourolderparticipantsandhasfalleninlovewithoutstandingfundraisingoutcomeseach trip. Cate has signed up for our trip to Uganda in September 2015 and as I write this she is currentlyintheleadinthefundraisingefforts. ThefundsraisedontheKwaYa#4tripwereallocatedasfollows. $AUD CommunityOutreach(KwayaRunWorkshopsinSlumSchools&donationto Mercyorphanage) $2, MFLOutreachSlumSchoolRenovation $2, ACCPrimarySchoolRenovationsinclnewplaygroundatAcademy $2, FreeConcertforDisadvantagedandVulnerable $2, GiftPacksHomeVisitstoFamiiesinVillages $ EarmarkedtowardstheerectionofthenewACCChoirTrainingAcademy $67, $79, KwaYaisextremelyproudtocontinuetohonouritspromisetoitsdonorsandmembersby ensuringthat100%offundsraisedgotowardstheprojectforwhichtheywereraised.

7 DonationtoBigSingintheDesert RachelHore Title 6 InApril2014weweresaddenedbythewithdrawalofoursponsoredAboriginalontheKwaYa# 4triptoUganda.Itwastoolatetorecruitanewparticipantsoinkeepingwithourvision,the committeedecidedtocontribute$3000towardssponsoringaboriginalsincentralaustraliato attendthebigsinginthedeserteventinitiatedandrunbyrachelhoreoam. ThisyearRachelreceivedanOrderofAustraliainrecognitionforhercommunityworkin Australia.WithKwaYa s$3000contribution,weareproudtosaythat100aboriginalswereable toattendtheeventfreeofcharge.

8 Title 7 ArtsofAfrica EveryonewhogoestoUgandawithKwayaisinspiredbywhatwedothereandfeelsapersonal satisfaction with regard to their contribution towards the projects on hand. Many go home vowing to do more to assist kids in getting an education in Africa, and so remain committed members of KwaYa giving time help us achieve our many goals. We are grateful for their heartfeltcontribution. And then there are others who upon arriving homeknowthattheywanttodomorethanjust assist. They have an idea, a drive and an unwavering passion to see it eventuate. Meet Jenny Black and Tammy Magnus. They ran the popular Zumba workshops at the schools in Uganda during our visit with KwaYa # 4. Since arriving home in May, they pioneered, initiated and created our latest project 6 Arts of Africa. Ugandan local arts and crafts are imported into Australia and sold by Tammy and Jenny via private events and local markets. All profits go backtotheafricanchildren schoir.thisproject notonlybenefitsthechildrenofugandabutalso aidsthelocalvillagewomenwhomakethecrafts. JennyClarkandTammyMagnus Todate( )theyhavesoldover$10,302.75ofUgandanartsandcraftswithaprofitof $ forTheAfricanChildren schoir.

9 Title HeatherBaker,LouiseLehane(wifeof Adrian) and Nyssa6Katlyn Buckland from Caringbah in Sydney were so inspiredbytheideathatjustrecently theycreatedathrivingbranchofarts ofafricainsydney. Theseladieshaveaburningdesireto do that something extra that will$ change a life. They are living proof that with a little effort and determination we can do something onthissideoftheworldthatbenefits the creator and producer of a NyssaWKatlynBuckland,LouiseLehane,HeatherBakerandBenji stunningpieceoftraditionalartina remote village in Africa. And the icingonthecakeisthatthepurchasergetstoenjoyitintheirhouseeverydaywhilstonemore childfromtheslumsofugandagetstogotoschool. CongratulationsladiesWhatafabulouseffortandmyheartfeltthanksgoestoeachofyoufor yourenergy,loveanddetermination. 8

10 BigHearts Since the launch of The Big Hearts ClubinOctober2013wehavehadthe opportunity to assist two ACC choir adults with emergency medical expenses. Isaac Lwangafrom ACC Choir 19 was involvedinabodaboda(motorcycle) accident on the 3rd February. He sustainedacompoundfractureinthe femur (largest bone in the leg), wherebyitbrokeintwoplacesanda shard of bone pierced the skin. He also broke both his wrists. Luckily he sustainednoheadinjuries. BigHeartsprovidedfundsforhishospitalcareandalsofollowuprehabilitation.Iamhappyto reportthatafterextensivephysiotherapyisaaciscurrentlyabletowalkwithoutassistance. Timothy Dembefrom ACC Choir 3 was in a boda boda (motorcycle)accidentinoctober2013,wherethebikefellonhis leg.he went to a clinic the next day, where they treated his leg without investigation. Four months later Timothy was still in a substantialamountofpainandwalkedwithalimp. BigHeartstookhimtoaclinicon4thFebruary2014,wherehehad anx6raydoneonhisankle.thex6rayshowedthatthebonehad been broken but has started to heal. Fortunately the bone has been healing in alignment. Timothy was referred to an OrthopaedicSpecialistSurgeonforfurtherinvestigations. Title 9

11 Title 10 The Stitch Me Warm project is an initiative by Kwaya that wastakenoverin2014byjudemaplesonfromalicesprings whotravelledtougandawithkwaya3.wedecidedtosend goodstoalicespringsin2014andwithjudeatthehelmit hasresultedinaresoundingsuccess. Our heartfelt thanks Jude for bringing life to this very importantproject. BelowisJude srepottothecommittee. TotheCommitteeofKwayaAustraliaInc. DearFriends, I was not sure what to think when Marsha floated past me the idea of coordinating Kwaya Australias knitting for Uganda from my home in Alice Springs I agreed to coordinate receiving parcels from the many knitters in Australia and overseas on the provisothatthegoodsbedonatedtoindigenouspeoplehereincentralaustralia. So now the time has come to report that my involvement with Stitch me Warm has beenapleasureandanhonour.ihavemadefriendswiththecraftspeople,via andfacebook,andhaveformedabondwiththecharitableassociation,westerndesert Dialysis Inc, the NGO I chose to receive a wonderful array of blankets, beanies and childrensclothing. Western Desert Dialysis was founded by indigenous people from western desert communities in the NT, particularly Kintore, Kiwirrkurra, Papunya and Yuendumu.The WesternDesertDialysisstoryisinspirational,andwasbegunbyartistsondialysiswho organisedanartauctionraisingover$1milliontostartaprogrammethatcouldbring dialysistothem,intheircommunities,closetofamilylife.anditisworking Therearenowthreebushclinics,amobileclinic(thePurpleBus)andaclinicinAlice. PatientsliveintheNT,WAandSA.

12 Title ThePurpleHouse,theclinicinAlice,has130patients,andisopenfrom9to5.Itisthe onlydialysiscentreintheworldofferingadrop6inserviceoffriendshipandnurturingto patients and their families. Dr Wendy Zerk, a Kwaya singer who travelled to Uganda twice, volunteers there 1 day a week. There are chooks, a vegetable garden, a pizza ovenandgroupsofwomensittinginthesunstrippingplantstomake"bushmedicine". ThebiggestproblemforSMWthisyearhasbeentheexhorbitantpostalratesfromthe easternstatestoalicesprings.somegroupspaidupto$65abagthroughaustraliapost. One individual knitter was able to convince a transport company to take several consignmentstoalicespringsfreeofcharge.iwrotetoafreightcompanyinvain,but didreceive$200insponsorshipfrommorgansfinancialdarwintobuyprepaidpostage envelopesandstamps. One knitter has developed her own relationship with Western Desert Dialysis and I believe she will be volunteering with them in 2015 This is a lovely outcome. Parcels havearrivedfromhelenboelensandherelderlyknittersinholland, MaureenHarmonyandthePeregianBeachknittersfromQLD, Lynne Hutchison and the Banyule group Melbourne, Sarah Brown CEOwithPatrick, who organised artists for the originalauction. 11

13 Title 12 ThankyouMarshaandcommitteeforthiswonderfulcross6culturalopportunityformeandthe knitters. More people now know about Purple House both in Alice Springs and around the world,andthesamegoesforkwayaaustraliaandtheafricanchildrenschoir JUDEMAPLESON

14 HarleyMead Title 13 ThankyouHarleyforeverything. Itwaswithgreatsadnessthatwelearnedofthepassingof HarleyMeadon25 th September2014attheyoungageof43. Harleyplayedanintegralpartinthesuccessofourfirsttrip to Uganda. He was an extraordinary Musical Director, a consummateprofessionalandagreatloverofchildren.we affectionatelydubbedhim ThePiedPiperofUganda.Heis sorelymissed. Kwayaproudlydonated$200tohisMemorialFundwherehis musicwillbesharedwiththechoralcommunityforfree. The name Under One Sky was adopted from one of Harley smanycompositionsasthetournamefortheafrican Children schoir stourofaustraliain2015.

15 Title 14 ACC UnderOneSky Tour2015Preparations Muchof2014hasbeenspentinorganizingtheupcomingtourofTheAfricanChildren schoirto AustraliafromApriltoJune2015. The 18 children and eight adults will be spending close to three months in Australia, commencinginmelbourneandfinishinginbrisbane.thistourwillbespentvisitingmanytowns andregionalareasaswellasmetropolitanareas. We are forever grateful to the host choirs and schools for opening their arms and hearts to receivethesegratefulchildrenfromuganda.withoutthemthetourwouldbeimpossibility. Meet the hosts of The African Children s Choir Under One Sky tour here. Two of the major highlights of the tour will be the 1000 member massed choir at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on 17 May 2015 and the memorial concert for HarleyMeadatBrisbaneCityHallonSat27June2015. WemustalsomentionCottagebytheSeainQueenscliffVictoriahttp://cottagebythesea.com.au whohasagainofferedtohostthekidsandcrewforthefirstweekgivingthemaplacetorecover whentheyarriveinaustraliafromtheusatour.thisoutstandinggenerosityisverygratefully receivedbythekidsandacccrewastheyrecuperatefromtheirjetlagandgearupfora fantasticthreemonthtourofeasternaustralia.thankyoutonyfeatherston.

16 MARSHA STRIPTOUSA Title 15 On3DecemberIvisitedTexas,USAtofinallymeetRayBarnett(founderofTheAfrican Children schoir)andmembersofhisfantasticmusicforlifeteam.ialsometandtouredwith theaccchoirno42forshortperiod.itwasafantasticopportunitytomeetthecrewwhowill becomingtoaustraliainaprilnextyearandformetospendsomemoretimewiththekids. TobeabletoseehowthetoursareconductedinAmericaallowedmeagreaterunderstanding oftheinnerworkingsandgleanimportantinformationforourupcomingtour.

17 GRANTFORBUS Title 16 On30 th Sept2014,withthehelpofHariKotrotsios,wereceivedagrantof$35,000fromThe GamblingCommunityBenefitsFundtopurchaseabus.Weareveryexcitedaboutthe opportunitytoprovideconvenienttransportforourtoursandworkshops. CHANGEINCOMMITTEE IwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankHeatherLamberth RosenbergforherservicetoKwayaasourmuchvaluedSecretary.I appreciateyourheatherinbeingoursecretaryandforyoureffortsin settingupthebigheartsfund.wewillmissyou