If you ask me, the UN Alliance of Civilisations 2011 Doha Forum can be summerised by the well-known Andy Worehole quote: ‘replace fear of the unknown with curiosity’.
The convergence of 2,500 world leaders, civil society representatives, corporates, journalists and youth leaders had one key purpose – finding solidarity and peace amongst our human race.
Youth leaders benefited from a private day prior to the opening of the Forum. The energy, excitement and enthusiasm of these 400 leaders cannot be matched. Outcomes from the day were presented to UN Security General Ban Ki Moon, and Her Highness Sheikha Moza of Qatar.
YGAP welcomes you to partake in a night of mystical utopian indulgence at their 2011 annual charity fundraising event, “It Takes A Village @ Gwanda”. This special night will take place at YGAP’s newly acquired Headquarters, Gwanda; a vessel for positive change which encapsulates a mythological paradise.
This year’s celebrations will deviate from our traditional Ball-themed event, in a bid to take you to the streets of St Kilda where imaginations run wild. The 2011 theme is derived from the premise of ‘Gwanda’, combined with the symbolic proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ – the ultimate experience of an unforgettable utopian village encounter.
I first met Dora in February 2011. Joseph Brabi and I were visiting the fishing village of Laloynia along the coastal region of Ghana. Our aim was to document the communities and work where so many children working as slaves on Lake Volta originate and gain an understanding of how a family can get desperate enough to sell a child.
Upon arriving at Ntenyo I was confronted by poverty & disease only overshadowed by the smiles, laughter, compassion, and a welcoming that felt like home. The sense of community – so strong; the dream to succeed -so real; the ability to make a tangible difference – in reach.
I joined the YGAP-Sanejo team in week 3 and was amazed at the progress that had already been achieved. Our project objective is clear – “rebuild tomorrows generation” by empowering youth through an expansion of educational access. With 2 classrooms completed in 2010 and 3 classrooms nearing completion in week 3 – you could see the possibilities.
Friends,
It has been another busy week for the Sanejo/YGAP team at Ntenyo! Building has rocketed ahead of schedule: barely three weeks after arriving on site, three classrooms stand as nearly complete structures, needing only roofs, windows, and trimmings. The foundations for an additional two classrooms are already underway.
Rarely have we encountered individuals with so few blessings, so full of life; so full of hope. We spent the morning witnessing, experiencing and rejoicing in the Ntenyo community’s culture through song and dance. We formed in a circle as one, laborers and international volunteers. We are able to greet one another with only single words in Kinyarwanda.
Hi Friends,
YGAP is actively trying to raise $100,000 by the end of the financial year to support our project partners in Ghana and Rwanda. We need your help to achieve our goal by 30 June.
Child trafficking is a terrifying reality in parts of Ghana.
After enormous anticipation and a little bit of trepidation, we have finally started our project…Ntenyo 2011. The first thing we noticed on approach was the beauty of the school setting…a hilltop, overlooking rolling valleys..it was breathtaking and slightly Australian with its scattering of gum trees.
Thank you to everyone that came to the FYVE Launch Party on Sunday 12 June, it was a great success raising over 2k! Special thanks to our mates at DJ Warehouse for giving us free deck hire, Carlton Dry for supplying the alcohol, the fellas from FYVE Snowboards and Skate; Josh and Clive and our Chippy of the Year nominees; Smith, Sammy and Nic! Also, DJ Mixer for supplying all the tunes and the PHAT beats.
On Monday 23 May we held ‘Dinner for Difference’ a VIP Philanthropy evening at our Kinfolk Cafe. The dinner was hosted as a round table discussion sharing insights and knowledge into the following areas:
