NEWS
Bambisanani Partnership helps South African children return to school with water supply connection
The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement!
The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement!
It was reported several weeks ago that the Principal of Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa had contacted the Menston based Bambisanani Partnership charity as students at her school were not able to return to school after the Coronavirus lockdown as the school had no water supply and students and staff could not adhere to safety and hygiene procedures such as washing hands and equipment. Mrs Mkhize spoke of her students ‘starting to lose hope’ in what is one of the most deprived parts of the country that had over 90% unemployment even before the onset of the pandemic.
The three main UK based partners of the charity; St. Mary’s School, Menston, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University wasted no time in setting about raising the necessary funds to first and foremost reconnect water to the school and also to improve the plumbing at the school, particularly the number of taps that students have access to. Fundraising events from on-line Quiz Nights to the ongoing sponsored Run/Walk/Cycle the equivalent distance from Yorkshire to South Africa have been enhanced by generous donations from Bambisanani supporters.
£5,000 was the initial target which would enable the water to be connected and students return to school. The Bambisanani Partnership is absolutely thrilled to announce that it has worked in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and that jointly the funding has been found – the water subsequently connected and the students have returned to school.
““We are lost for words to express our grateful thanks and joy at being able to return to school; we have hope again.””
““Thank you to everyone at the Bambisanani Partnership for all the hard work that has allowed Mnyakanya to reopen because we now have water at the school. The learners and educators are now back in school – there is much excitement! Please pass on our sincere thanks to all the Bambisanani team and supporters for making this happen and happen so quickly.””
The Chair of Governors at the school Mr Sguda Bhengu passed on sincere thanks from the Governing Body to the partnership for restoring the water supply to the school, adding, “We still face the Covid-19 pandemic but the water supply means that washing and hygiene will no longer be a problem.”
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership was delighted that the students and teachers had now returned to school, and said “To resolve this problem has been a tremendous team effort. Very quickly we were able to liaise with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to agree a ‘50/50’ funding package that would connect Mnyakanya School to the water supply. Our special thanks must go to Dr David Chonco, Tony Moodley, Priscilla Guliwe and all at Mnyakanya School and the wider community for their commitment to this project. Thanks also to all the Bambisanani Trustees who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Last but not least, a special tribute must be paid to our other Bambisanani team members and supporters who were so swiftly into action with fund raising. These efforts have certainly all made a real difference; Mnyakanya School is an oasis of hope serving one of South Africa’s poorest communities. Children being in school here massively enhances their life chances which will ultimately help tackle the poverty in the area. These young people are so keen and determined to learn; many of them are prepared walk two hours to and from school each day because they value education so much. They set us an example with their positive and dedicated attitude and they deserve every chance and encouragement. We have now successfully achieved phase one of this plan. Phase two is about improving the plumbing at the school so that there is more than one outside tap for the students to use. We are also investigating installing more sustainable and effective water collection and storage methods at the school – so the fundraising for the ‘Mnyakanya Water Project’ will certainly continue! The next time that you turn a tap on or wash your hands spare a thought for members of this community where these procedures are certainly not taken for granted.”
VIDEO: Bambisanani Challenge 2020 Animation
To donate to charity to support this initiative please visit contact Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s, Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or use our donate button.
To donate to charity to support this initiative please visit contact Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s, Mrs Catherine Chattoe: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or use our donate button
Thank you Mrs Chattoe for producing this compelling animation explaining the Bambisanani 2020 Challenge.
AmazonSmile: you shop, Amazon donates to the Bambisanani Partnership
AmazonSmile is an exciting initiative that allows you to support your favourite charity every time you buy products on Amazon.
The way it works is you simply login directly to smile.amazon.co.uk where you will find exactly the same shopping experience - the same low prices and selection as amazon.co.uk – and make purchases in the same way you normally would.
The difference is that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the net purchase price of each eligible purchase to charity. It really is an easy way to have a positive social impact and generate donations to charitable organisations that mean something to you, without it costing you, or the charity you choose to support, a penny.
The Bambisanani Partnership |
Bambisanani Partnership Founder interview with University of Leeds: Sustainability and UN Global Development Goals March 2020 (PDF)
Over the past 14 years, David Geldart (M.Ed Physical Education 1989) has helped to change the lives of students in South Africa and the UK; he has established the Bambisanani Partnership, an educational exchange which uses sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
Bambisanani Partnership resolute and resilient in the face of Coronavirus
The Bambisanani team hope that you are well and coping with these unprecedented and difficult times.
The Bambisanani team hope that you are well and coping with these unprecedented and difficult times.
You will not be surprised to hear that the Coronavirus pandemic has led to the postponement of this year’s visits to South Africa planned by St. Mary’s School, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University. My heart goes out to all the students and staff who have worked so hard and for so long preparing for the visits. Despite the disappointment the reaction of our teams in Leeds and in South Africa has been characteristically positive and determined with thoughts already turning to visits next year and an expansion of our volunteer programmes. The commitment, dedication, passion and resilience of our team never ceases to amaze and inspire me.
The Bambisanani Partnership will be ready when the world gets through this crisis; and get through it we will.
It is both ironic and perverse to think that there may be ‘positives’ that come from the current Coronavirus pandemic but I have been heartened and inspired by the outpouring of humanity in these most devastating and challenging of times. All our lives are currently very different to what they have been and I believe that because of this there is the very real potential for people around the world to ‘press the reset button’ in terms of purpose, values and what is really important in the world and in our lives. For many of us our priorities in the future will be different.
Every day we make choices about how we live our lives; what we consume and how we treat others. Every day presents us with a myriad of opportunities to make a real difference and a chance to live more authentic and meaningful lives – this is precisely why the Bambisanani Partnership will go from strength to strength with your help and support.
“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply.
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows.
And the people began to think differently. And the people healed.
And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”
Stay safe and stay well,
David Geldart
Founder and Chairman of The Bambisanani Partnership
Please wish Mr Harvey and our Year 12 students good luck as they will be running in the Bradford 10k on Sunday.
The team have volunteered to run the race as a way of fundraising for The Bambisanani Partnership.
The team have volunteered to run the race as a way of fundraising for The Bambisanani Partnership.
St. Mary's students and Mr Harvey
If you wish to sponsor the runners please contact Mrs Chattoe at St. Mary’s Menston school: c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org
The students are:
Theo Humphreys
Joseph Nicol
Archie Bange
Millie Carroll
Gabriel Beaumont
Joseph Newman
Catherine Westhead.
Good luck to every Bambisanani runner!
National Recognition for St. Mary’s School and Bambisanani Partnership
St. Mary’s Menston and the Bambisanani Partnership have been recognised at The Youth Sport Trust 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner held at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry.
St. Mary’s Menston and the Bambisanani Partnership have been recognised at The Youth Sport Trust 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner held at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry.
At the prestigious event the school and partnership gained a commendation in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Community Award’. Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s and Barbara Pounder, Trustee of the Bambisanani Partnership charity attended the event of behalf of the school and partnership.
St. Mary’s started the partnership back in 2006 with Mnyakanya High School which is based in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas. The partnership, which uses sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership, has gained both national and international acclaim for it ground breaking work.
The independent nomination for the award said:
“Not only has the partnership between the two schools grown, but St. Mary’s has reached out to its community of schools in Leeds, involving students and staff from the School Sport Partnership and two local universities – Leeds Trinity University and the University of Leeds – while Mnyakanya involves children and young people from multiple schools across the region. The partnership’s work is now vast and constantly developing. It includes sports leadership, sports festivals, cycling initiatives and sports coaching but it has also used sport as a catalyst for so much more: literacy and numeracy projects, curriculum development, support for orphans, further education support and promoting employability. The impact on everyone involved – adults and young people – is immeasurable but includes improved health and wellbeing, educational achievement and exemplary citizenship. Above all, St. Mary’s has demonstrated the power of sport to build communities – locally and globally – in which young people, whatever their background, can contribute and thrive.”
Over the past fourteen years over 10,000 UK and South African students have participated in Bambisanani activities, over 280 students from the UK have travelled to South Africa as volunteers to deliver the various Bambisanani programmes, over 775 South African students have gained the Bambisanani Leadership Award and over 2,750 South African students have taken part in Bambisanani Sports Festivals.
““I am extremely proud of the work of St. Mary’s and The Bambisanani Partnership. The teams involved have worked incredibly hard over the last fourteen years and enabled such a transformation in our local community and globally. The impact has been immense. They are thoroughly deserving of this national recognition.””
““This really is a fantastic achievement and thanks must go to our small army of volunteers and supporters who make all these things happen. It was fitting that Catherine and Barbara represented us at the prestigious event; their contribution to this valuable work over the years has simply been immense. We have worked closely with the Youth Trust and without their initial input, as part of the ‘Dreams and Teams’ programme, this work would not even have begun. It was therefore a great honour indeed to be included the very special 25th Anniversary Awards. St. Mary’s deserves the highest praise for being prepared to put its values into action.”
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Bambisanani Quiz Night Announcement
The Bambisanani quiz that was due to take place this Friday has been postponed.
UPDATE March 16 2020: Good morning everyone,
The Bambisanani quiz that was due to take place this Friday has been postponed.
You can collect a full refund from any of the Bambi team or your ticket can be used for the rearranged quiz.
If at any stage you cannot make the new date then please collect a full refund.
Thank you
Cath Chattoe
Friday 20 March 2020. At Guiseley Football Club. Tickets £8 per person in teams of 8
Tickets available from Mrs Chattoe or Miss Wood at St. Mary's Menston.
This is a ticket only event.
All proceeds to The Bambisanani Partnership
c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org
Bambisanani Quiz Night!
— The Bambisanani Partnership (@BambisananiPart) March 6, 2020
Friday 20 March 2020 @GuiseleyAFC 7–9pm
All proceed to The Bambisanani Partnership pic.twitter.com/b6OIttKmqX
Read our Sawubona 2019 South Africa Visit Report
The report has been published today.
The report has been published today
International Conference honour for Bambisanani Partnership
David Geldart, Founder and Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership, recently addressed a prestigious International Conference in Prague, Czech Republic.
David Geldart, Founder and Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership, recently addressed a prestigious International Conference in Prague, Czech Republic.
David Geldart at the Progressive Connexions conference
Over the past thirteen years the partnership has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work using sport as a catalyst to promote education, leadership and global citizenship in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas. During that time more than 250 volunteers from St. Mary’s School, Menston, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University have delivered a range of Bambisanani programmes to over 3000 South African children with significant impact on students from both countries.
The conference, organised by Progressive Connexions, attracted a diverse range of delegates and speakers from over 35 different countries. The conference provided an excellent platform to outline the purpose, activities and outcomes of the partnership. As well as hopefully encouraging others to embark on similar projects the presentation generated considerable discussion and debate involving not only those from the world of education and sport development but also from very different backgrounds including Law, Public Administration, Human Rights, International Development and even Architecture. Some of these conversations have continued post conference which is really encouraging.
Conference Poster
““The Bambisanani Partnership presentation at the conference made a very powerful impression on me. While textbooks can give students access to a whole history of ideas and the internet can provide information on virtually any subject, the Bambisanani Partnership offers students an opportunity that neither traditional education nor modern technology can adequately substitute: cultural learning through personal connections. If more young students had the opportunity to travel, meet, and share their knowledge and passions with peers around the world, then there would be much reason to feel optimistic about the future of international and intercultural relations. Should this project be but one small step in creating a more understanding and open-minded world, then at least it is a step in the right direction.””
““The work that the Bambisanani Partnership is doing is truly inspirational. It is one thing to talk about making a change but it is another to take action. It’s amazing to see people who dedicate their life to promoting education and leadership in one of the most deprived rural areas of South Africa. The most remarkable thing about the initiative is the use of sports as a powerful and effective educational tool. The project is changing lives and I think everyone should put their weight behind the movement, so that it could be expanded to other areas as well. I would like to discuss the possibilities for collaboration between your organisation and our university (JGU).””
““I was delighted to meet David in Prague recently and hear his presentation about how the Bambisanani partnership has gone from strength to strength since it first began in 2006. By sharing the journey that St. Mary’s School has been on with Mnyakenya High School in South Africa, David will I’m sure inspire other schools and universities to use the power of sport to forge global links and promote genuine two way learning which benefits all the teachers and young people involved.””
““A global audience of academics, practitioners and professionals enjoyed an illuminating and revealing presentation on the work of the Bambisanani Partnership at the third global inclusive interdisciplinary conference, Culture and Society, in Prague. The significance of the work being undertaken and its value to researchers serves to accentuate the continuing need for voices who are engaging with communities and developing innovative, organic relationships to be heard in contexts like this and provided welcome perspectives in conversations with the delegates who attended. We heartily welcome and encourage this much needed level of participation in our global meetings.””
David added: “It was a great honour and a privilege to represent the outstanding Bambisanani team at this important international event. Such occasions always help me reflect on what we do and why we do it; on our actions and on our impact. This genuinely progressive conference proved very effective at this. There is a great danger for all of us that ‘we live in our own echo chambers’ only hearing or reading that which reinforces our current world view. This conference was highly effective in bringing together a wide range of people who were willing not only to listen and learn from one another but also to question and challenge others in a spirit of collegiality, goodwill and friendship. It was a great opportunity to speak about our international work to an international audience.”