NEWS
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.”
”
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.”
Theo Humphreys, St. Mary’s Year 12 is fundraising for his visit to South Africa in June 2020.
Theo has made some great Christmas decorations and gifts.
Theo has made some great Christmas decorations and gifts.
Well done Theo
Anyone interested in purchasing a gift or decoration, please contact Mrs Chattoe c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org
Bambisanani Partnership and Rotary Club of Aireborough help transform teaching and learning in rural South African school
St. Marys School, Menston and Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal started the Bambisanani Partnership thirteen years and throughout that time the Rotary Club of Aireborough have supported the now charity that operates in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.
St. Mary’s School, Menston and Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal started the Bambisanani Partnership thirteen years ago and throughout that time the Rotary Club of Aireborough have supported the now charity that operates in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.
Media Centre at Mnyakanya High School
The local Zulu community had identified a pressing need to bring computers and the internet to the school in order to transform the education at the remote rural school of Mnyakanya which is situated in an area of extreme poverty and depravation. Three years ago, working with the KZN Department of Education, the partnership discussed an ambitious plan to create a computer based classroom (Media Centre) at the school. Following extensive research and consultation, long term Bambisanani supporter, Tony Moodley, Senior Advisor at the KZN Department of Education, produced a comprehensive three phase plan proposing a ‘Computer Technology solution’ at Mnyakanya.
Back in the UK Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s began discussions with Bill Hudson, Graham Davies and Janet Kerr from Aireborough Rotary Club about the possibility of applying for a ‘global grant’ to implement Phase 1 of the plan from Rotary International based in the USA. The total estimated project cost was £30,000 with Aireborough Rotary Club committing to £10,000. Further liaison took place with Graham Chennells and Nick Phillips from Eshowe Rotary Club in South Africa who had also been long term supporters of the partnership. Eshowe Rotary Club consequently offered to support the project and Catherine, Graham and Janet began the rigorous process of the grant application. Late last year, following considerable hard work and commitment, the ‘in principle’ grant for the remaining funds was approved by Rotary International. Over the last year the installation plan at Mnyakanya School has been put into place with the project managed by Nick Phillips supported with technical expertise from Eric Kruse.
Following three years of extraordinary international collaboration the Media Centre was opened at Mnyakanya High School this month. The purpose built classroom with enhanced security has full internet connectivity for twenty modern computers with associated software and additional hardware including projector and screen. The grant will also fund significant training for teaching staff together with technical support and connectivity fees for the next five years.
“ “This is a great achievement for The Bambisanani Partnership, Aireborough Rotary Club and Eshowe Rotary Club. Providing twenty computers and access to the internet will make such a difference to the students and teachers at Mnyakanya High School. The teachers will be able to use the facility to improve their teaching and students will be able to use the computers to aid their learning and access valuable information that may impact on their futures.””
““We are pleased to have been able to facilitate the funding of this project which we know will have a massive positive impact on the lives of both the students and the teaching staff at the school. We are looking forward in conjunction with the Bambisanani Partnership to seeing how they have all progressed.””
The Media Centre is known as ‘Mary’s Room’ with respect to St. Mary’s School and to Mary Jowett, former teacher and Deputy Head at Saltaire Secondary School, Bradford, who left a legacy to Aireborough Rotary Club which helped to fund the project. The Rotary District Governor in KZN Jaco Stander visited the school recently to officially open the new facility.
The opening of the Media Centre has already had a major impact on the teachers and students, many of whom walk two hours to and from school each day:
Learning in the Media Centre
““We thank everybody concerned for the new Media Centre which will help transform our school for both learners and educators. We have already applied to the Department of Education to introduce Computer Application Technology as a subject across all grades to ensure that our learners are well equipped to face the real world and play their part in it.””
““The New Media Centre is opening a new page of life for the Mnyakanya Community. It will make the life of educators and students easier. Students will start to learn how to use the computers as early as from grade 8 and will learn how to complete school work on them. This had been a big challenge for ages. Our learners will have a better chance of reaching tertiary institutions and will not be disadvantaged when they get there. This Media Centre will also help to train young people from the community how to apply online and search for employment opportunities without having to always travel to towns and cities to search for jobs. This will really change life for our community. This Media Centre is marking the beginning of a computer literate society and an introduction of the importance of technology in our community. We as Mnyakanya School would like to pass our massive thanks to the Bambisanani Partnership and the Rotary Clubs of Aireborough and Eshowe.””
The Media Centre at Mnyakanya High School will connect learners with the rest of the world
Communicating globally in the Media Centre at Mnyakanya High School
““With this new Media Centre our community is equipped with a tool to communicate with the world. Our community will live the lifestyle of a well-developed society where technology is a fundamental part of the society. Our students will have easy access to information. They will find the learning process as interesting as playing the games. This will lead to a bright future for learners, educators and the community at large. The Media Centre will pave a way to easy success to tertiary institutions and to job opportunities.””
““Our New Media Centre will really change our lives at Mnyakanya. Our standard of education will rise with the best, even if compared with those of urban schools. This Media Centre will attract many students to come to Mnyakanya because very few schools in rural South Africa have computers. This Media Centre will save time for educators because, less work will be written by hand on chalkboards. This will also save school funds in buying more chalks and exercise books. This is really amazing! May this partnership grow stronger.” ”
““We like to thank the Bambisanani partnership and the Rotary Clubs for opening this technology opportunity to us. I am a grade 12 student this year. I am so excited to get an opportunity to learn how to do typing from the computer. The Media Centre has helped me to search for different institutions where I can pursue my studies next year. It is a great opportunity for all young people who will come to Mnyakanya after me and even for our generations, to become a computer literate society. I like to thank all involved in making this dream come true.” ”
““It is really unbelievable that I am using a computer at school to write my school assignments and projects and also to browse for information. It’s amazing! Life is becoming so easy! Learning is so interesting. This new Media Centre will encourage even those learners who feel schooling as a boring journey. They will start enjoying to come to school .Those who dropped out earlier will come back to school. This will lead to a more educated society with technology. Siyabonga Kakhulu (thank you very much) to the Bambisanani Partnership and Aireborough and Eshowe Rotary Clubs.””
Mnyakanya High School, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Rural KwaZulu-Natal
Discussions are already underway at Mnyakanya School to use this initiative as a catalyst for further development that will further raise educational achievement. Priscilla Guliwe from the KZN Department of Education is recommending that the school is reclassified as a Technical School which will bring curriculum development and enhanced resources. Nick Phillips is also discussing the possibility of employing a specific Computer Application Technology teacher at the school as from January 2020.
David Geldart, Founder and Chairman of the Bambisanani Partnership was full of praise for all involved in bringing the project to fruition:
““An exceptional amount of hard work has gone into this, with Bambisanani friends, supporters and colleagues in both countries collaborating to make it a reality. My special thanks must go to Catherine, Graham and Janet for driving the proposal forward to a successful outcome. The new facility at Mnyakanya is modest by UK standards but simply massive in the context of this remote rural area. It has the potential to transform education at Mnyakanya School and give already extensively disadvantaged students some of the same opportunities that we take for granted. In an area that has 90% unemployment this initiative will give the community a boost that will inspire hope and aspirations.” ”
VIDEO: St. Mary's South Africa Visit 2019
New video made available!
New video made available!
St. Mary's South Africa Visit 2019 News Stories
Japan 2019: South Africa are Rugby World Cup Champions!
Congratulations to South Africa on winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan and making history in the process.
Congratulations to South Africa on winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan and making history in the process.
Twenty-four years after Francois Pienaar first raised the trophy in the famous ‘Mandela final’ history was made when Siya Kolisi became the first black South African captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. This is an other momentous step forward for the Rainbow Nation through the power of sport.
In a moving post-match interview Kolisi said:
"We have so many problems in our country, a team like this - we come from different backgrounds, different races - came together with one goal. I really hope we have done that for South Africa, to show that we can pull together if we want to achieve something. Since I have been alive I have never seen South Africa like this. With all the challenges we have, our coach said to us that we are not playing for ourselves any more, we are playing for the people back home - that is what we wanted to do today. We appreciate all the support - people in the taverns, in the shebeens, farms, homeless people and people in the rural areas. Thank you so much, we appreciate the support. We love you South Africa and we can achieve anything if we work together as one.”
We hope that this inspirational victory, and all that it represents, will add even greater importance to the Bambisanani's work in promoting and developing rugby in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Gallery of Bambisanani Partnership Rugby Photos
““Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.””