Arts and Culture South Africa Project #59839

Improve lives of young Zulu dancers

by Suni-Ridge Sand Forest Park, Environmental Rehabilitation Centre

Summary

3 out of 5 children in rural areas in South Arica face lives of poverty. Young underprivileged children between the ages of 6 and 14 years of age walk miles from their rural homes, to reach the area where they spend their day training in Zulu dance to perform outside Hluhluwe Wildlife Park. Often, they have no lunch, or shelter from rain. Our project will provide meals, and studio shelter for arts, dance, and conservation, to empower them to be leaders while expanding their talent nationally.

$5,000
total goal

$4,134
remaining

11
donors

1
monthly donor

10
months

Challenge

While watching Zulu children express their joy and talent through traditional dance and singing, it is difficult to believe that most of them are living lives of poverty, or that they have walked many miles from their rural homes to come to dance. Tourists who pass by often give them applause and provide small tips. This helps the children and their families with income, but their humble needs are so much more! They need shelter in rain or heat, food, and upliftment of their talent.

Solution

More than 80 dancers would have shelter to protect them from rain together with nourishing meals. They will Learn leadership, dance conservation, and visual art skills and why culture is important. We help build their confidence to become Young Environmental Ambassadors and represent dance and deep cultural knowledge at National Arts contests outside their rural area. They have recently won gold at Ettiene Rousseau Theater against 9 South African Provinces and can now represent South Africa!

Long-Term Impact

More than 80 children will have an art, dance, and conservation education Shelter, that will uplift them from lives of poverty, with confidence, Leadership, music, art, dance, and conservation lessons will provide them with healthy activities after school time. At school, they will establish dance, art, and conservation clubs for their peers. They will have opportunities to participate in National and International talent contests. As the best of the best, they will rise above poverty!