“The Miracle of Education”
2012
The African Dream Benefit l Po Box 1253 Innaloo, 6918 WA I info@theafricandream.org.au I www.theafricandream.org.au
Message from Founder It’s been just over 3 years since The African Dream Benefit was founded, and looking at our journey I am proud as well as optimistic on the road ahead. Reflecting back on why I established this organisation, I pondered on Africa’s long, complex and somewhat laborious history, and realised that we need to build a formidable legacy for future generations. A strong personal belief is that we must necessitate investing in leaders and nurture their development. Leaders give birth to true change. They must be discovered and presented with the opportunity to live their full potential despite financial hardship. Consequently, leaders become empowered individuals, but most importantly they add value to economies. They have the capability to uplift and change communities, organisations and nations for the better. I can talk for days about the importance of investing in education, but I won’t bore you with that for now. 2012 will be a special year. We will see the launch of our Tertiary Scholarship program through the Project 50Five campaign, which we will launch soon. We hope that you become part of The African Dream story and donate to this wonderful campaign. On a final note, thank you to all our supporters and volunteers who have been part of our journey. Without you, The African Dream Benefit would still just be an idea. Your support has mobilised the idea into action! From myself, The African Dream Benefit team and the children we assist, thank you and we look forward to your continued and valued support for many more years to come. We hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it insightful and inspirational.
Fadzai Matambanadzo Founder
Welcome our new Board of Advisors In 2012 we introduced the Board of Advisors to our structure. This board will play an important role in furnishing expert advice, ideas and opinions to the Founder, Directors and management of The African Dream Benefit and providing strategic guidance, and assistance. The members of the Board are: Philip Trueman (Chairman) – Company Secretary at Monadelphous Janet Sutherland – Management Consultant and previous experiences in non-profit sector including Director of AusAID Leadership for Development Program Phil Turtle – Chairman of Australia Indonesia Business Council and Director of Engenesis Pty Ltd Doug Horack – Business Development Manager at Deloitte Australia Africa Services Group and VicePresident of Australia Africa Business Council
2
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
Outreach Educational Projects: Computer Project If you are reading this newsletter
Office of Western Australia to
right now, you are probably reading
address this issue. In March 2012,
it from your computer. However,
Catholic Education donated a total
many children living in remote
of 36 computers to spearhead the
communities and rural areas in
Computer Project.
Zimbabwe do not have access to computers and are computer illiterate. Many government schools in these rural communities are
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read, but those who are not computer literate� Fadzai Matambanadzo, Founder of The African Dream Benefit
3
The computers are now in storage and will be shipped to rural schools in Zimbabwe.
severely under resourced and as a
The entire project including shipping
result they do not have libraries or
and installation of the computers in
computers for their students.
the schools will cost approximately
The African Dream Benefit believes computer literacy is relevant and should be promoted in rural areas that have little or no access to computers.
$2,500. If you would like to make a donation towards our shipping and installation costs please contact us on info@theafricandream.org.au. We ask for any contribution, as it will make a big difference.
Since mid-2011, we have been working with the Catholic Education
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter Š
Lunch with the Zimbabwean Ambassador
In May 2011, Founder Fadzai Matambanadzo met the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Australia, Ms Jacqueline Zwambila at a small intimate lunch. The lunch was held during her brief state visit to Western Australia. Fadzai has been investing time building relationships by meeting with business leaders of companies in Western Australian that operate in Africa to spread the word on our work in Zimbabwe. Attendees included (from left to right) Tammy Caldwell – Conference and Marketing Manager at Paydirt Media, Jason James – Executive Director of Cosmos Healthcare, Joe Cornelius – Managing Director of Cape Range Limited, Her Excellency Ms Jacqueline Nomhle Zwambila, Bill Repard – Executive Chairman of Paydirt Media, and Taku Scrutton – Director of Ribbon of Africa.
We Remember: Sean Walsh 30/5/1938 - 23/2/2012
In 2011, Founder Fadzai first met Sean Walsh at a business event. Sean was instantly impressed by the work of The African Dream Benefit (ADB) and was keen to be involved in the organisation. Sean quickly became a good friend and supporter of ADB. Sean enjoyed a momentous career as a teacher in the beginnings, then spent 18 years as a Senior Political Adviser, including nine years as Chief of Staff to Geoff Gallop as Leader of the Opposition and Premier of Western Australia. We would like to take this moment to remember Sean Walsh. We thank him for believing in The African Dream. We thank him for his time and generous contributions to our cause. We remember you.
4
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
Journey Into Africa Fundraiser
On the 29th of April 2011 The
The dinner was attended by 55
African Dream Benefit held A
guests, and raised $4,300 from both
Culinary “Journey Into Africa” to
tickets sales and a silent auction.
raise funds for our projects. Guests took all their senses on a journey through Africa, and indulged in delectable “African fusion” cuisine.
We thank Doulene and Scott Walker for hosting the dinner at Pink Zulu. Thank you to our belly dancer Soreya and drummer for the
The dinner included an 11-course
wonderful entertainment. Thank you
dinner that featured dishes from
to all the guests who attended and
South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria,
helped us raise much needed funds.
Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. The African feast was complimented by an array of African cultural entertainment including Moroccan belly dancing by Soreya ‘World Dance Fusion’, and African drumming. The menu was specially created by Pink Zulu restaurant combining an
“Small deeds done, are better than great deed planned” Peter Marshall
assortment of dishes and flavours from the vast continent of Africa.
5
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
Spotlight: Zimbabwe
Capital: Harare
schools in the rural and remote areas. Most primary schools in those rural
Population – 13 million
areas were free.
Life Expectancy: 51 yrs old
The massive expansion of educational
Languages: English, Shona, Ndebele Literacy rate: 98%
opportunities that were put in place saw the Government launching the 1983 literacy campaign. The literacy campaign yielded very positive results
Primary School enrolment: 81% Secondary School enrolment: 33% Tertiary enrolment: 3.9% Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980 after over 150 years of colonial rule. The Government of Zimbabwe inherited a racially biased education system from
as shown by the 2002 census which indicated an adult population of 7
6% in 2011. The power-sharing
million, the rate of illiteracy stood at
government formed in February 2009
only 9.08% from the 63%. Zimbabwe
has led to some economic
has thus achieved a literacy rate of
improvements,
98% from 37% since independence. Zimbabwe now boasts the highest literacy rate in Africa of 98%.
Mining output has risen spectacularly — 8.5% in 2009 to 47% in 2010. Agricultural output rose 15% in 2009
the colonial era. The system created
This program was very effective in
many social, economic, and political
educating Zimbabwe's children but
imbalances. The key indicator to this was
after the Government’s infamous
the rate of illiteracy among the adult
landform program in 2000 and the
black population. The 1982 population
country’s key involvement in the
census revealed that out of a total adult
Second Congo war from 1998 to 2003
population of 4 million, 63% were illiterate the economy spiralled down and the
6
GDP growth of 9.4 percent in 2010, and
and 34% in 2010. Social conditions remain tough. The poverty rate has increased from 42% in 1995 to 63% in 2003 and is currently estimated to be over 70%. There is also high unemployment, which is estimated at 80%. Despite the
or semi-literate.
country’s education system suffered.
The first president of Zimbabwe declared
Zimbabwe's economy is growing at a
education as a basic human right and
significant progress has been made
brisk pace despite continuing political
he introduced an education for all
uncertainty. Following a decade of
towards meeting the Millennium
program. This program introduced the
contraction, Zimbabwe's economy is to
building of primary and secondary
enrolment, HIV prevalence rate, and
continue its strong recovery. Posting
food security have all improved.
deteriorating poverty indicators,
Development Goals. Primary school
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
Annual Trip Zimbabwe
In June and July 2011 Founder and
Traishill Primary. Fadzai also met with
Executive Director of The African
the Australian Ambassador to
Dream Benefit Fadzai
Zimbabwe, Mr Matthew Neuhaus.
Matambanadzo, was in Zimbabwe on her annual visit. On her visit she set up The African Dream Benefit
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and decent life.” Nelson Mandela
office in Zimbabwe and toured several schools in Zimbabwe mostly in the Mashonaland East Province for The African Dream Scholarship
The team met with the Heads of private boarding schools Kriste Mambo Secondary School and Monte Cassino Secondary School to discuss how to work together in delivering scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
program. Zimbabwe Project Manager Tsitsi Makoni and
The team also visited rural schools
Operations Manager Simon
within the area to meet students,
Chihwanda accompanied her.
teachers and headmasters. They visited Macheke Primary School
The trip included visits to St Martin’s
(Pictured below) located in the heart
Primary, Monte Cassino
of Macheke rural community.
Secondary, Macheke Primary,
Continued on next page….
Kriste Mambo Secondary and
7
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
Annual Trip Continued….
The school has over 2000 students
They were blown away by the
enrolled with only 19 classrooms to
amount of passion and drive all the
accommodate all students. As
students have to succeed despite
shown in the image, some teachers
their hardship. “These are the
have to conduct their classes
children we want to help.” Said
outside.
Fadzai. “They are determined to
Fadzai recalls their visit to the school: “ It was particularly touching because when we visited the area it was in the middle of winter. We were dressed in jackets, coats and closed shoes. But some of the
succeed, but are hindered by circumstances out of their control. We do not want to waste talent. We want them to continue to achieve their dreams for themselves, their families and their country”
children did not have warm
We hope to continue to grow funds,
clothing. Some had torn t-shirts. But
with the aim of assisting more and
they persisted, and still went to
more children and youth from
school only to have class under a
disadvantaged backgrounds. Help
tree in the freezing cold. I was so
us make this dream come true.
inspired by their determination to go to school despite their testing circumstances”
We would like to give special thanks to all the staff and students at Monte Casinno Secondary,
The team also interviewed potential
Machake Primary School, Kriste
scholarship recipients.
Mambo Secondary School and Traishill Primary School.
8
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
2012 Scholars
“He who opens a school door, closes a prison” Victor Hugo
We would like to congratulate all 26
“ To me the term “African Dream”
scholars that have been awarded
means that all countries in Africa have
scholarships in 2012. The funds that we
to develop Africa and make it a
raise go directly towards funding these
formidable force to be reckoned
scholarships.
throughout the world. As John F Kenny
The African Dream Scholarship Fund aims to empower children and youth
Sponsor a Scholarship Today!
from financially disadvantaged
Invest in the future leaders of Africa
fighting the generational effects of
backgrounds through their education. We believe education is the key to poverty. It is also the key in promoting leadership, and ensuring economies have the leaders to transform it.
Student fees (Form 1 to 6) Per term: $480
Leaders need to be empowered from grass roots level and be given the
once said, ‘our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource’. This is all true in regard to the African continent. My African dream is to unleash the vortex of power within me in order to make a significant contribution in achieving the well deserved recognition for the African continent” Fadzai Newengo (Scholarship recipient)
opportunity to relinquish themselves from the vicious poverty cycle.
Per year: $1440 Full Scholarship – 6 yrs: $8,640 To sponsor a scholarship today fill in the form on our website at www.theafricandream.org.au /sponsor Or email info@theafricandream.org.au
9
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
CHOGM: Prime Minister’s Dinner “Empowering Women to Lead” On the 27th of October 2012, Founder
“We must make it our mission to
The dinner shed light on the
and Executive Director of The African
empower every one of them”. Prime
importance of education. The
Dream Benefit Fadzai attended a
Minister of Bangladesh Hon. Sheikh
African Dream Benefit believes
dinner in conjunction with the 2011
Hasina reinforced this point by
quality and relevant education is key
Commonwealth Heads of
indicating, “If we can’t improve
to assisting disadvantaged women
Government Meeting (CHOGM),
women’s lives, how can we improve
and girls to come out of poverty.
titled Empowering Women to Lead.
society as a whole”. She also stressed
Hon Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of
that in order to do this; we need to
Australia, hosted this special event
“bring them into leadership from
and its purpose was to bring together
grassroots level”.
inspiring female leaders from across
Amongst all the issues raised on the
the Commonwealth.
topic, one theme that resonated throughout the evening was
This was a rare opportunity for guests
education. It was apparent that
to join in conversation with prominent
education is a key driving force in
public figures to promote gender
empowering women from grassroots
equity in the Commonwealth. In her
level.
opening address, the Governor General, opened the evening highlighting the importance on focusing on “women’s economic security and equality”. She explained that they must have the chance to be central players in the world.
10
This was a point that was emphasized by the Prime Minister of Australia when she affirmed, “Education is the key to women’s empowerment”.
“When we liberate women, we liberate mankind”. Dr. Ngozi, Minister of Finance Nigeria
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
“Made in Africa” Art Exhibition Fundraiser On the 19th of November 2011 we
Craig Barber, Trever Tichawangana
held a cocktail fundraising event at
and Teresa Kileff. Guests also
the Museum of Western Australia to
enjoyed the sweet rhythms of
raise funds for our scholarship fund
Shangara Jive, who played live
and educational projects. Taku
Zimbabwean music throughout the
Scrutton From Ribbon of Africa was
evening.
the event’s MC. Nicholas Duncan,
The evening raised just under
President of the Save Foundation
$8,500, and has funded
Inc was the auctioneer for the
scholarships and projects for
evening.
disadvantaged children and youth in Zimbabwe.
The evening was about highlighting African art as the hallmark of Africa’s visual culture, displaying its stunning visual manifestations of the energy and spirit of the traditions of Africa. As well as artwork from local artists in Zimbabwe, the evening also featured artwork donated by Perth based artists from Zimbabwe; Paula Weigmink,
11
“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows” Sydney J. Harris
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©
Updates… Our annual fundraising event will be held at Government House Ballroom this year on the 16th of October 2012. Details will be out soon. SAVE THE DATE! We are launching our first Tertiary Scholarships this year and we want you to be involved. We will be launching the Project 50Five campaign. For every 55 people we bring together to donate just $20 per month for 12 months we will award a full tertiary scholarship to study medicine for 5 years at the University of Zimbabwe. Details will be released soon.
We welcome a new addition to The African Dream Benefit family. Simon Chiwhanda joined our Zimbabwe team last year as the Operations Manager. We thank him for his wonderful contributions and we look forward to working with him in the future.
Donate. Be part of The African Dream and empower a student with quality education!
12
Help us fight poverty and make a donation today! Direct Debit: Westpac bank - The African Dream Benefit BSB: 036027 Acc: 380765 Credit card: Via www.theafricandream.org.au (click ʻDonateʼ) Or email us at info@theafricandream.org.au Or call us on 0401888661/0422786394
The African Dream Benefit 2012 Newsletter ©