NEWS
Please sponsor Alessandra Valle-Metaxas in the GNR!
Please support former St. Mary's student Alessandra Valle - Metaxas who is running the Great North Run in aid of the Bambisanani Partnership ✨🎽
Please support former St. Mary's student Alessandra Valle - Metaxas who is running the Great North Run in aid of the Bambisanani Partnership
JustGiving link:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/alessandravmgnr2018
Bambisanani Runner!
— The Bambisanani Partnership (@BambisananiPart) September 5, 2018
Former St. Mary's student Alessandra Valle-Metaxas is running the @Great_Run in aid of the Bambisanani Partnership ✨🥇🌟🎽👟 pic.twitter.com/SfKz0OD6Bf
Alessandra writes:
‘Sports have the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.’ (Nelson Mandela)
Sport and exercise has always been a key and fundamental part of my life whether its diving, swimming, athletics, fencing, netball, OCR, you name it, I’ll ‘volunteer as tribute’ (I’m always down for a game of Rounders).
It’s taught me how to be part of a team, to be confident, a leader, passionate, determined and a fighter. I think that sport can do this for everyone and it doesn’t matter if you are a world class athlete or just someone that enjoys a kick about; sport is for everyone and bring us together.
With that being said, I hate running. Hate it. ‘But you do Obstacle Course’s all the time!’ I hear you proclaim. And that would be correct however, if you ask any of my lovely OCR pal’s whether I enjoy the running part of the OCR’s well… I know what they would say! I do however love a challenge and will always look for new ways to push myself and what better city to embark on my next challenge than my favourite city of Newcastle upon Tyne!
Having lived in Newcastle for 4 years, I’m so excited to be able to finally run this half marathon and cross that South Shields finish line! Sport and exercise are powerful and can help people achieve things they never knew they could and this is exactly what The Bambisanani Partnership does.
I was lucky enough to go to South Africa with The Bambisanani Partnership in 2011 and be part of the wonderful project which has only strengthened in me the belief that sport can bring out the best in everyone. I witnessed young adults lead a sports day with young primary school children, come out of their shells, lead with passion and defy anyone that says they can’t achieve their goals.
The Bambisanani Partnership started in 2006 and is a unique collaboration developed by St. Mary’s Menston in Leeds, UK and Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The partnership uses sport as a major catalyst to develop international understanding, education, health and leadership.
Mnyakanya High School is situated in the rural and remote Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The school, in the heart of traditional Zululand, was opened by Nelson Mandela in 2004 and is located in one of the most deprived areas of South Africa with one in three adults infected by HIV/AIDS, 90% unemployment and an adult illiteracy rate greater than 60%. The school serves a vast area and many students walk two hours to and from school each day. The area has many AIDS orphans. Class sizes are in excess of 60 and the school has very limited resources.
The Partnership has grown so much since 2006 and I want to continue to support The Bambisanani Partnership and taking part in this physical challenge is the perfect way for me to be able to to help this charity grow and grow and continue its fantastic work.
If you want to learn more about the charity and their current fundraising goals, please do visit the charity website here >>> https://www.bambisananipartnership.org/.
13 miles running may not seem far for some, but for me, it’s going to be a tough looong road and so any help to get me over that finish line in September (and also any playlist recommendations!) will be greatly appreciated!
Ngiyabonga! (Thank you!)
Follow the Bambisanani Partnership South Africa Visit 2018
Read our daily blog posts direct from KwaZulu-Natal and social media
Read our daily blog posts direct from KwaZulu-Natal and social media
Read our St. Mary's Menston live blog:
https://ukusebenzaafrika.wordpress.com/
Instagram:
Read the Leeds Trinity South Africa Blog about their 2018 Visit:
Bambisanani Chairman praises Leeds Trinity University at book presentation
Bambisanani Chairman, David Geldart, recently visited Leeds Trinity University to present a copy of the partnership's latest book Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning together.
Bambisanani Chairman, David Geldart, recently visited Leeds Trinity University to present a copy of the partnership's latest book Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning together.
Leeds Trinity University has been involved with the Bambisanani Partnership for the past three years with Senior Lecturer, Diane Maguire being a Founding Trustee of the St. Mary’s based charity.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret House OBE said “We are delighted that Leeds Trinity University is working with the Bambisanani Partnership. It is an exciting international volunteering opportunity for our students which makes a huge difference to the lives of children and young people in South Africa.”
David Geldart said “Leeds Trinity University is a key member of the Bambisanani Partnership and has played a fundamental role in developing the work of the charity in one of South Africa’s most deprived areas. This involvement reflects Leeds Trinity’s vision and values of commitment to social justice and providing world class opportunities for students and staff. Indicative of this is the personal commitment to the partnership demonstrated by the Vice-Chancellor Professor House and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Lloyd. It was a great pleasure not only to present Margaret and Ray with a copy of our latest book for the university but also to discuss, at length, development opportunities for the future which will students and staff engaging in work in South Africa.”
Seven students from the university are currently fundraising to raise money for their trip to South Africa in June to develop the work of the Bambisanani Partnership. The students, Oorjitha Prem, Daniel Lawrence, Katherine Skelton, Hannah Page, Harriet Mackinney, Beth Ward and Amy James will join lectures Chris Rowley and Nicola Arjomandkhah who have coordinated the visit.
David Geldart added “The commitment of the university to the partnership is exceptional. What is particularly interesting and indicative of this is that the experience in South Africa will form part of the students’ degrees. It is wonderful working with an organisation that is prepared to put its values into action.”
Leeds Trinity welcomed into the Bambisanani Partnership [LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY]
The British Council visit St. Mary's Menston and praise Bambisanani Partnership March 2018
On Thursday 29 March, St. Mary’s welcomed Mr John Rolfe MBE from the British Council who presented the school with the International School Award.
On Thursday 29 March, St. Mary’s welcomed Mr John Rolfe MBE from the British Council who presented the school with the International School Award.
Photo: LEFT TO RIGHT: Mr D Beardsley (Headteacher), Mrs C Chattoe, Miss D Neale, Tadhg Collins, Laurence Patterson, Ewan Copsey, Mrs M Hayes, David Geldart (founder of the Bambisanani Partnership), Mr John Rolfe MBE
The International School Award is a badge of honour for schools that carry out outstanding work in international education, such as through links with partner schools overseas. Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools, so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need to live and work as global citizens.
In addition to the Bambisanani Partnership with Mnyakanya High School, Leeds University and Leeds Trinity University, St. Mary’s international work includes long standing annual exchange visits to France and Germany, World Challenge expeditions (this year’s expedition to Costa Rica and Nicaragua involves 38 students), the Connecting Classrooms project, a global programme run by the British Council which creates partnerships between groups of schools in the UK and in other countries.
““We are delighted to be working with such an outstanding place of teaching and learning as St. Mary’s Menston and are thrilled to be part of the inspirational 10 year partnership between the school and Mnyakanya High School in South Africa. This partnership has had enormous positive impact and is a very powerful example of the wide values and benefits of international collaboration and fantastic mutual learning.””
““It was great to welcome John to St. Mary’s and to have him meet people involved in the partnership. I cannot thank John enough for his kind words and encouragement. Quite simply there would have been no Bambisanani Partnership without the British Council. The Bambisanani Partnership has it’s origins in a British Council/Youth Sport Trust programme called ‘Dreams and Teams’ that linked schools all over the world through sport. We have also been heavily involved in the British Council ‘Connecting Classrooms’ programme and more recently with the British Council and Premier League ‘Premier Skills’ programme which not only trains football coaches and referees but also has a fantastic scheme that uses football to promote the teaching of English. We are very proud indeed of our long and fruitful association with the British Council and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the help, support and opportunities that they have provided us. We very much look forward to our continued work together.””
During his visit, Mr Rolfe was presented with a copy of the Bambisanani Partnership’s fourth book, Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together which he described as "truly inspirational and indicative of an amazing pioneering project".
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
International honour for Bambisanani Partnership
As a result of the Bambisanani Partnerships pioneering work in South Africa using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership it has recently been invited to become a Founding Member of Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI).
As a result of the Bambisanani Partnership's pioneering work in South Africa using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership it has recently been invited to become a Founding Member of Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI).
Sport and Sustainability International is an international Swiss based movement that seeks to use the powerful influence of sport to help address some of the world’s most urgent sustainability issues. With representation from over fifty countries and six continents SandSi is committed to promoting sustainability policies including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
““Sport and Sustainability International (SandSI) is honoured to have the Bambisanani Partnership as one of its Founding Members. Through the use of sport this highly successful project connects the northern and southern hemispheres addressing key social, environmental, economic and governance issues. The Bambisanani Partnership is showing the way that sport has the power to change the world.””
““It is a great honour and a privilege for the Bambisanani Partnership to be invited to become a Founding Member of such an important and ambitious organisation. The chance to work with key individuals and organisations from around the world to promote sustainability, in all its inter-related aspects, through sport is a tremendous opportunity. Many young people are interested in sport, the environment and social justice and would like to make a difference in the world; this is an important part of our work. Sport has a massive role to play in promoting sustainability and we are keen to play our part in taking this important movement forward.””
International honour for Bambisanani Partnership [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
Article: Looking back, looking forward
Read our article as a PDF file
Read our article as a PDF file
Looking back, looking forward
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of South Africa’s most deprived areas. Based on extracts from the recently published book Bambisanani: Ten years of Working together and Learning Together, twelve key individuals involved in the work of the Bambisanani Partnership offer their perspectives on the past ten years but also on what the future might hold for the multi award winning charity.
Fantastic news - Our first Bambisanani teacher!
Simphiwe Ndlovu has now successfully completed his teaching degree in South Africa.
Simphiwe Ndlovu has now successfully completed his teaching degree in South Africa.
Photo: Well done Simphiwe
This achievement is absolutely amazing. He is a remarkable young man who deserves his success. His 'dream' together with his dedication, perseverance and determination are an example to us all. These are the qualities that really make a difference in life and he has proved it. He was not deterred at any point. He is an inspiration and his remarkable story deserves to be told.
You, the Bambisanani Partnership community, have supported him and are part of his story.
““I cannot tell you how pleased I am with this remarkable news.””
Author and Designer praise publishers Prime Group as new Bambisanani book gains international acclaim
David Geldart, author of the latest Bambisanani book 'Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together' has praised the support of the Prime Group who printed and produced the book.
David Geldart, author of the latest Bambisanani book 'Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together' has praised the support of the Prime Group who printed and produced the book.
"The latest Bambisanani book has gained international acclaim and this is no small part to the Prime Group who physically produced it and who were exceptional to work with in every regard. I could not recommend them highly enough for any aspect of printing. They are great supporters of our charity and are an absolute pleasure to work with."
The book's designer, Duncan Baines also praised the Prime Group: "Producing a finished product that both the author and designer are happy with is far from easy. The team at Prime were so helpful and professional at every stage of the project. Above and beyond this they are genuinely interested in the work of the Bambisanani Partnership. I can recommend them unreservedly to other organisations."
For more information about the Prime Group and their range of printing services please see : www.primegroup.co.uk
Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together Book Published
The Bambisanani Partnership has this week published its fourth book Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together
The Bambisanani Partnership has this week published its fourth book Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together
The multi award winning charity has gained international acclaim for its inspirational and pioneering work using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizen and leadership in one of South Africa’s poorest communities. The new book chronicles the first ten years of the Bambisanani story from 2006–2016.
Written by the partnership's founder David Geldart with Foreword by Baroness Tanni Grey – Thompson, the book has been described as a heart-warming story of challenge, determination and hope.
““The book was written to tell our story, a story that has gone from strength to strength despite enormous challenges. The ten year story acknowledges the remarkable achievements of Bambisanani team members in both the UK and South Africa, in particular those of the amazing young people of both communities. The book is testimony to the power of sport to change lives and to what can be achieved when two communities from different sides of the world commit to working together in a genuine partnership. A major aim of the book is to encourage other schools, colleges and universities to get involved in similar work.””
Ten years in development and two years in writing the large hard back book is impressive in both appearance and content with 300 pages, almost 100,000 words and including over 600 photographs.
A limited number of first edition copies of the book are available at £50 each with all proceeds going to support the work of the charity. Please contact Mrs Catherine Chattoe at St. Mary’s, Menston – c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or 01943883000
THE FULL BOOK IS AVAILABLE TO READ ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD FOR FREE
Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together (full layout with photos) [ISSU.COM]
Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together (PDF, 20MB)
Inspirational charity launches new book [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
The Bambisanani Partnership says Thank You to The Rotary Club of Aireborough
The Bambisanani team are delighted to present The Rotary Club of Aireborough with our 'landmark' book Bambisanani Ten years of Working Together and Learning Together.
The Bambisanani team are delighted to present The Rotary Club of Aireborough with our 'landmark' book Bambisanani: Ten years of Working Together and Learning Together.
Photo: Janet Kerr, Ewan Copsey, Charlotte Wood, Heather Read (President of Aireborough Rotary), Catherine Chattoe, Pauline Hall, Bill Hudson and Graham Davies.
On 28 November 2018, St. Mary's staff and students joined the members of Aireborough Rotary at Horsforth Golf Club where Ewan Copsey and Pauline Hall, Year 13 gave an enlightening account of their work in South Africa in June of this year.
The evening ended with the presentation of our new book as a way of saying thank you to The Rotary Club of Aireborough for being one of our first and most loyal supporters.