FORWARD PLANNING NOTICE
28th October 2007
Africa Alive! fundraising ‘100% African Evening’ will be coming soon to London…
Tukolene Youth Development Centre and KIOTA (registered UK charity no. 1101316) will be holding a fundraising Fashion show with a unique African twist in the heart of multicultural London at Hammersmith Town Hall on 30th November 2007.
‘Africa Alive!’ is a chance to celebrate 21st Century Africa in all its forms. Feel the rhythm of African drumming. Taste a sumptuous East African meal. Experience the pure joy of African dance. See stunning African fashion on the catwalk. Listen to distinct live African sounds.
Tukolene Youth Development Centre is a non-governmental organisation providing educational and vocational training for young people in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Katie Martin and Phoebe Bryant fell in love with Tukolene in 2002, whilst teaching English as volunteers with Gap Activity Projects. Five years on, with Katie’s events experience and several more volunteer projects in India, France and Kenya between them, both Katie and Phoebe have decided to put their knowledge and skills to good use by raising funds for Tukolene Youth Development Centre’s expansion project.
Katie Martin, of Friends of Tukolene states: “Phoebe and I are really excited about having the chance to help build TYDC’s future, and support Kiota’s work. The ‘Africa Alive’ evening will hopefully give guests a glimpse of the places that we are so passionate about!”
Phoebe Bryant, who taught alongside Katie at Tukolene Youth Development Centre in 2002, said “this is such a fantastic opportunity to kick-start the next phase of Tukolene’s development – it is in serious need of financial help to achieve its long term goals. Tukolene has a great sense of community and we hope to achieve the same at Africa Alive! by bringing people together in support of their vision.”
Deusdedit Lyimo, founding member of TYDC states, “The whole idea that such a big fundraising event is being organised for the Centre fills me with great joy. I am so impressed that after returning to their homeland from working in Tanzania that they continue helping and making such a positive change. I look forward to being there on the evening”.
Kiota will also benefit from the evening and Africa Alive is being run with the support of the charity’s trustees. Like Friends of Tukolene, Kiota was established by Pippa Brown and Erica Hicks following their GAP year in Africa and supports the work of Tanzanian grassroots NGO KIWOHEDE (Kiota Women’s Health and Development Organisation). KIWOHEDE works across Tanzania to secure positive futures for teenaged girls who are victims of trafficking, or who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, hazardous domestic work and/or commercial sex work. “Kiota” is the Swahili word for nest, representing the safe haven that the centres provide. Kiota and KIWOHEDE work together on specific projects to help give these young people a chance for a better future. For more information, please see www.kiota.org.
The Africa Alive! event will showcase a vibrant mix of African fabrics and styles on the catwalk hosted by rising star, Mirembe Campbell!. Exceline Catering, renowned throughout London’s African community and beyond, will be providing an authentic 3 course East African meal to tempt your tastebuds! Other highlights will include The Kitoto Band (featuring Freddy Macha), mixing traditional ngoma beats with Tanzanian sounds and words, Francis Angol, a contemporary African Dancer, and a fantastic acrobatic and drum troupe. There will also be an opportunity to bid for exciting gifts –including a fantastic holiday in the Isles of Scilly or the Scottish Highlands, or a unique African painting in the Charity Auction.
The event will be held in Hammersmith Town Hall, London at 7.30pm on 30th November 2007. Tickets are available by request email to africaalive@hotmail.co.uk or by contacting Katie on 07851 082051 at £50 a head.
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For further information please contact:
Katie Martin or Phoebe Bryant
T: 07851 082051 (Katie) 07866 623066 (Phoebe) E: africaalive@hotmail.co.uk