NEWS
Bambisanani Partnership Assemblies to Primary Schools
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
They will raise money and then our charity we will buy school uniform socks to give to the students of Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Bambisanani Partnership inspires at International conference in Australia
David Geldart, the founder and Chairman of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership, was recently invited to speak at the Australian Council for Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia
David Geldart, the founder and Chairman of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership, was recently invited to speak at the Australian Council for Health and Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) International Conference at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Australia
From Left to Right:
John Stokes CEO ACHPER, Pierre Comis, Sport Australia, David Geldart, Bambisanani Partnership, Dr Shane Pill, ACPHER President
The conference, one the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracted delegates from over forty nations. At the conference, David Geldart explained the foundation, development and impact of the charity’s work in South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the countries most deprived rural areas. The presentation highlighted the pioneering work of St. Mary's School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University in the partnership and encouraged other schools, colleges and universities from around the world to also become involved in similar projects, stressing the mutual benefits for all concerned.
““The 2019 ACHPER International Conference was a showcase where contemporary and innovative physical education, health and sport practices were presented to over 300 professionals from Australia and overseas. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for international presenters to highlight their work in many different settings. One of the outstanding international presentations was made by David Geldart from the Bambisanani Partnership. David’s unique insights on a project that uses sport to change the lives of children in one one South Africa’s poorest regions struck a chord with all attendees. It demonstrated the vision, commitment and dedication of the partnership in truly making a difference to the lives of children in another country. Attendees had many take-aways from the presentation including the power of working together (partnership), the importance of the teaching profession to inspire, motivate and lead and the impact of global leadership and citizenship in influencing young lives in a positive long-term way. The Bambisanani Partnership is an inspirational story with an inspirational message.” ”
““The Bambisanani Partnership demonstrates how sport for development has the potential to change and enrich lives beyond the playing field. The project represents a powerful demonstration of what education in, through and about sport can be.””
““With the conference theme of ‘Enriching Communities’ the inspirational Bambisanani Partnership was a perfect fit. Teachers and other educators in attendance in the large workshop audience could see that something that is now a long term arrangement and making such a positive impact upon so many lives could start with a decision that they to could make, to join together with an underserved or impoverished community. This session was highly valued and we hope that David will consider visiting our shores again.””
““I was touched and inspired by the presentation made by David Geldart. The proactive values of community development and building capacity for action and learning of the young people and their adult supporters, both in the UK and South Africa were admirable. Powerful stories were told of the real differences this made in the lives of the participants and in their communities. David’s presentation highlighted the need for rigorous planning and preparation for the experience. It also illustrated the power of learning in the partnership of which the impacts were evident. It would be great to see further research systematically capturing these powerful stories of change and the impact on attitudes, life outcomes and community well being.””
The Australian Institute of Sport
““I was delighted that David Geldart recently presented at the ACHPER conference in Canberra, Australia on the topic of the Bambisanani Partnership which represents a truly authentic approach to educating children about health, global citizenship and leadership. St Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University should be applauded for creating and developing this inspiring project which uses sport to positively connect pupils from different cultures. It is a clear win-win innovation with boundless benefits for children in the UK as well as those in a deprived region of South Africa. The partnership clearly has the power to change lives for the good and develop long-standing friendships across nations. Many schools around the world would benefit from knowing more about this partnership and adopting similar innovative approaches to genuinely enhancing children’s lives.””
““The ACHPER International Conference has a world wide reputation for its influence and it was a tremendous honour and privilege to be invited to speak at the iconic Australian Institute of Sport about the Bambisanani Partnership. It is great to be able to celebrate the tremendous work of the Bambisanani team members and my hope is always that someone in the audience will see the potential in themselves or in their own institution and ‘pick up the baton’. The potential for genuine ‘two way’ learning through such programmes is limitless. Some great connections have been made in Australia and I cannot thank the ACPHER organising committee enough for the opportunity.””
Copies of the highly acclaimed Bambisanani book 'Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together' were presented at the Conference to ACPHER President Dr Shane Pill and to Pierre Comis from Sport Australia.
The Conference programme
Poster for the presentation
Bambisanani Talk at The Rotary Club of Aireborough
Lucy Hings and Lily Humphreys (Year 13) gave an informative talk to the members of The Rotary Club of Aireborough on 27 November 2018 at Horsforth Golf Club.
Lucy Hings and Lily Humphreys (Year 13) gave an informative talk to the members of The Rotary Club of Aireborough on 27 November 2018 at Horsforth Golf Club.
Photo: The members said it was a splendid evening
Read our Sawubona 2018 South Africa Visit Report
The report has been published today.
The report has been published today
Sawubona Report 2018 (PDF)
Article published in the Physical Education Matters Journal Autumn 2018
“Volunteering Work in South Africa reaches new heights”
“Volunteering Work in South Africa reaches new heights”
Read the article:
Bambisanani volunteer speaks at the Houses of Parliament
St. Mary’s Sixth Form student and Bambisanani Partnership volunteer, Sylvia Cullen, was elected to the UK Youth Parliament this year.
St. Mary’s Sixth Form student and Bambisanani Partnership volunteer, Sylvia Cullen, was elected to the UK Youth Parliament this year.
Damian Collins MP with Sylvia Cullen, Year 13
Last week she was chosen to give evidence to the Government’s Digital, Media, Sport and Culture Select Committee in the House of Commons about two projects in her local area. Alongside a choir school project, Sylvia gave a presentation about the Bambisanani Partnership, detailing the work and impact of its programmes, both in the UK and South Africa, before presenting the chair, Damian Collins MP, with the latest Bambisanani book. The meeting was part of an inquiry undertaken by the committee looking into the effects of sport and culture on local communities and education; the report will be published in January.
““It was fantastic to be able to take part in a meeting that will directly influence government policy and get to meet and answer questions with a senior figure in government. I had a great day””
Sylvia taking part in the June 2018 St. Mary’s visit to South Africa
““Sylvia’s election to the UK Youth Parliament is a fantastic achievement but one that does not surprise me at all. She is an exceptional young lady who first got involved with the Bambisanani Partnership at St. Mary’s when she was only eleven. For the past seven years she has made a remarkable contribution to the partnership which culminated her volunteering out in South Africa this summer. Her interest in politics does not surprise me either as she has always demonstrated a genuine interest and commitment to Human Rights and Social justice. Her invitation to speak at a Government Select Committee about the Bambisanani Partnership is indicative of her outstanding ability dedication and passion. Long may Sylvia’s interest in the Bambisanani Partnership and politics continue!””
Bambisanani, British Council and the Premier League team up for beautiful game in South Africa that is changing lives
This year the Bambisanani Partnership became involved in the British Council and Premier League Premier Skills initiative.
This year the Bambisanani Partnership became involved in the British Council and Premier League Premier Skills initiative.
Now in its twelfth year the Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in the rural Nkandla area of South Africa using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. From the very first visit by Founder, David Geldart, it was clear that despite lack of equipment, kit or facilities, football was of enormous importance to the Zulu community. Since that time the partnership has worked hard to use this fact to develop the game itself in the area but also to use to promote other aspects of education particularly English/Literacy through football. An example of this has been using football related books to teach reading.
This year the Bambisanani Partnership became involved in the British Council and Premier League Premier Skills initiative. Premier Skills has two distinct strands of its international work: developing local football coaches and teaching English through football related resources. All the volunteers who visited South Africa from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University received training from Michael Houten from the British Council in use of the resources. In South Africa members of the Mnyakanya School and wider Nkandla community began training as football coaches with Premier League Coach Educators in courses held in Durban. Both strands of this work have proved incredibly effective and have added much to the impact of the partnership.
The Premier Skills resources were used to great effect by students at the John Wesley School in Eshowe and in Ntolwane Primary School in Nkandla.
““Premier Skills teaches English/Literacy through a range of football related resources eg the use of comics based on a young boy becoming a ‘soccer star’. It uses language that is simple but effective and allows children who speak English as an additional language to follow along, even if they can’t read the words. Even the children who were quite new to English could still say ‘you should eat fruit, you should eat vegetables’, and they could get that simple English. The children that were at a higher level could expand and speak for five minutes on the topic. The youngsters absolutely loved the fact that I was using a comic book because they almost didn’t see it as learning. They loved that it was about soccer because they could tell me about their favourite soccer team and they could ask me about mine. Premier Skills resources for teaching English/Literacy are excellent and can be used effectively in a variety of contexts.””
Members of the Nkandla community, Thulisile Zuma and Mholi Hlabisa have progressed to the second level of the Premier Skills Coaching programming where they have received training in the coach education of others.
““Attending the Premier Skills workshops helped me a lot as a young coach. I learned so much about training all kinds of people regardless of their ability or disability. The focus of our training was not just improving our ability to coach football but also on developing our confidence in communication. I will be able to pass on all that I have learned to people in my community so that we can work together as a team to promote football and other sports thus helping our youth to avoid involving themselves in criminal activities. Involving our community in sporting activities will also promote healthier lifestyles. We are also hoping that the skills we are passing on will help young people gain employment.””
““Premier Skills has helped me develop my love of sport as a person. To be part of the Premier Skills training workshops has helped me to organise football tournaments back in my community for both boys and girls so they can develop their talent in sport. Football helps our young people to forget about involving themselves in substance abuse and crime but makes them think about their bright future in sport. In Premier Skills training we learned to work with other coaches to develop our coaching skills. We also learned about Child Protection, on how to organise tournaments and how to train other coaches. This is all going to add so much to my community where there is real passion for sport. We have started now to develop football teams in the community.””
““Both these aspects of Premier Skills have the potential to make a significant impact on our young people in the rural schools and the wider communities. They are already starting to make a difference.””
““These programmes are so positive and are not only providing valuable education and skills but also aspiration and hope in this desperately poor area. Both elements are vitally important and we try and link them at every possible opportunity. In the year ahead we will continue to work with the British Council and Premier League with a specific focus on training more football coaches, coach educators and more local teachers in the use of the Literacy materials. Community football teams are already starting to emerge. We also hope to create a ‘proper’ football pitch for training and fixtures and a computer suite where teachers and pupils can access Premier Skills English Language resources online. Football really is a beautiful game!” ”
St. Mary's students honoured at Diana Award Event
We're so proud of our 2017 South Africa Visit St. Mary's students who were honoured at today's #DianaAwardNorth event
We're so proud of our 2017 South Africa Visit St. Mary's students who were honoured at today's #DianaAwardNorth event
Diana Awards North Photo gallery
The following students have attained the highest accolade a young person can achieve for social action or humanitarian efforts – The Diana Award:
Ewan Copsey
Tadhg Collins,
Laurence Patterson
George Powell
Larissa Meggitt,
Pauline Hall
Rosie Egan
Lorna Gilroy Turner
Ezra Cheng
Megan O'Connor
Phoebe Kendall
Niamh Devine
Tasha Cooper
Katie Fearnley
““Through their amazing work, the (Bambisanani) students have developed a genuine kind heartedness and emotional intelligence that they will continue to use as they start their lives as young adults.””
Discover the full stories of all the new Diana Award Holders from #DianaAwardNorth 👇https://t.co/mqjUfJceEb
— The Diana Award (@DianaAward) September 28, 2018
Alessandra completes the Great North Run for the Bambisanani Partnership
Alessandra completes the Great North Run for the Bambisanani Partnership
Well done Alessandra!
Back in 2011 whist a student at St. Mary’s Alessandra Valle-Metaxas visited South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership volunteering programme organised by the School. As with so many students the visit had a most profound effect on her and Alessandra has remained in contact and supported the partnership ever since.
Most recently she embarked on extensive training programme to compete in the Great North Run Half Marathon in order to raise funds for the partnership. All Alessandra’s hard work paid off as on Sunday she completed the event in the very respectable time of 2hrs 59mins, raising over £300 in the process.
““The Great North Run is like no other event I’ve ever participated in. The people of the North East come out in all their glory to support the tens of thousands of runners who are participating for so many different reasons but many, like me, are running for causes that they feel close to.
The Bambisanani Partnership thrives on passion for sport and so running and fundraising for the partnership was a special opportunity for me not only to challenge myself (as I am no long distance runner) but to also spread the word about Bambisanani and the lives that are changing because of its work.
I truly believe that sport is incredibly powerful and changes lives, the Great North Run itself is testimony to that and so it just made sense to me that my 13.1 miles be used to help Bambisanani grow.
I’m thrilled and so very grateful to have been able to raise money and to continue to support the Partnership in this way and I encourage others to do the same!””
Photo: Alessandra was part of the St. Mary’s visit to South Africa in 2011
““ I am so very proud of Alessandra’s fantastic achievement and excited that the Bambisanani Partnership has had its first ever sponsored runner in such a prestigious race.
If anybody else is interested in running for Bambisanani, please don’t hesitate to contact me at c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org or via St. Mary’s Menston to discuss further.””
Bambisanani Partnership team honoured to meet the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Leeds
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Graham Latty, and the Lady Mayoress, Councillor Pat Latty recently met with members of the Bambisanani team at the Civic Hall to recognise the work of the Leeds based charity in South Africa.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Graham Latty, and the Lady Mayoress, Councillor Pat Latty recently met with members of the Bambisanani team at the Civic Hall to recognise the work of the Leeds based charity in South Africa.
Photo: LEFT TO RIGHT: Beth Ward, Andrew Lockwood, Karen Murgatroyd, David Geldart, Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, Barbara Pounder
David Geldart, founder of the charity was joined at the meeting by fellow trustees Barbara Pounder and Andrew Lockwood together with Leeds Trinity University student Beth Ward, who had just returned from volunteering in South Africa, and Karen Murgatroyd from International Relations Leeds who has supported the partnership from the onset.
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for it work in South Africa using the power of sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the country’s poorest rural regions. The partnership originally began at St, Mary’s School, Menston but now also involves students from the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University in the volunteering programme.
David Geldart said “It was a great honour to have the work of the partnership recognised in this prestigious way. Leeds has a very special relationship with South Africa with the city providing tremendous support during the Anti-Apartheid era; a point which was recognised by Nelson Mandela himself when he famously visited Leeds in 2001. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress have a long standing interest in the work of the Bambisanani Partnership and have been great supporters over the years. It was good that they had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the different organisations involved. They are genuinely interest in our work and were very keen to hear of our plans for the future that will help contribute to further developing the special Leeds-South Africa relationship”
At the meeting David Geldart presented a copy of the latest Bambisanani book (Bambisanani: Ten Years of Working Together and Learning Together) to the Lord Mayor as a gift to the city.
Lord Mayor recognises charity [BRADFORD TELEGRAPH & ARGUS]