The aim of this project is to bring the choir and dancers from Sithobelumthetho Primary School in the township of Madadeni in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa to the UK for a three week concert 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. We aim to raise £22,000 to bring the children to the UK. We expect that they will raise at least that much again during the visit, all of which they will take home and use to install solar panels at their school. We are seeking a charitable contribution to contribute towards the substantial cost of return flights for the choir and some of their teachers.

Purposes of the project...

1.Sithobelumthetho Primary School faces many challenges in educating its 900 students. One of these is the cost and reliability of their electricitysupply. Money raised during the visit from concert ticket sales, donations and the sale of a CD (to be recorded upon their arrival) will fund the purchase of solar panels for the school. This will save them money and provide a consistent source of renewable energy.

2.As with many developing nations, the journey towards prosperity for all in South Africa has taken its toll on the survival of indigenous cultures. During our 15 year involvement with Sithobelumthetho School we have witnessed the gradual devaluing of traditional songs and dances among young people. This projectaims to reconnect pupils with their rich Zulu heritage by enabling them to share their vibrant, harmonious singing and spine tingling dances with audiences here in the United Kingdom.

3.The students will visit several UK schools during their visit, performing, sharing concerts and attending lessons. This will be an enriching experience for both South African and UK pupils.

Pupils from the both countries will exchange musical ideas and experience, South African children learning how music and song are taught in UK schools and UK pupils being taught Zulu songs and dances.

We aim to establish lasting links between pupils and schools in the two countries.

Rather than simply raising and sending money to the school, this model of development is reciprocal...

.....Establishing lasting relationshipsValuing cultural heritage and cultural exchangeOffering a once in a lifetime, memorable experienceBroadening UK school pupils’ horizonsImproving the educational opportunities of an entire school by providing a cheap, sustainable, reliable power source....

An experienced team....

4.During the visit the children will be hosted primarily by Bristol families who will look after their needs while they are here and continue to support them after the visit by paying their school fees (£20 per year) until they leave primary school.

Costs....26 children and 5 adults

Flights £15,000Coach travel in the UK £4,500Insurance £1,000Contingency £1,000Admin & Marketing £500

Total £22,000

We are a team consisting of teachers and lecturers in education and performing arts from Bristol. We have a long standing relationship with Sithobelumthetho School and have previously organised a similar visit.

The above picture shows the group on Downing Street with Tony Blair in 1998. The children had just arrived in London and were excited having been given clothes by a local Sainsburys branch store in Southampton.

The children went on to perform in concert halls and theatres up and down the country.

This project has the potential to do a great deal of good in the areas of education, sustainable energy, performing arts and cultural exchange. We hope after reading this short presentation, we hope you agree that it is worth supporting.

Thank you.www.projectzulu.org