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Hi Everyone!
Welcome to March's installation of news from the team at AbleChildAfrica. We are excited to showcase a blog from our Patron, Dame Evelyn Glennie, the first person in history to successfully create and sustain a full time career as a solo percussionist. She is also profoundly deaf but has enjoyed a very successful musical career despite the barriers that stood in her way. With over 86 international awards to date, Evelyn continues to feed the next generation of musicians through advice and guidance. Last month, Dame Evelyn visited our partners in Kenya, Little Rock and ANDY to find out what life is like for disabled children and young people in some of the poorest communities in the world.
So scroll down to read all about Evelyn's trip and what she got up to in Nairobi as well as latest fundraising news and ways to get involved with AbleChildAfrica over the coming months.
Thanks for your support and happy reading!
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Little Rock - Our Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie Visits Kenya
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Dame Evelyn Glennie, Patron of AbleChildAfrica, visted partner organisations in Kenya; Little Rock Inclusive Early Development Centre and Action Network for the Disabled Youth (ANDY) in February 2014. Below she shares her experiences in her own words.
there are some experiences in life that nothing can prepare you for. No studying will create a sense of anticipation or understanding of what you are about to encounter.
As the days unfolded I underwent n emotional roller coaster. At first, I was overwhelmed, dismayed, shocked and appalled. I accompanied Lilly Oyare, Founder and Director of Little Rock centre and 3 very young boys with hearing impairments from the Little Rock centre into the depths of the slums. We went in turn to the homes of eah child. We walked amongst the shacks, bending low to avoid cutting ourselves on the sharp edges of corrugated roofs that hung low enough to gauge out an eye. Stooping, ducking and trying not to slip into the human excrement streams that run through every tiny crevice. The stench was unbearable but we continued; I cannot show that I am not able to endure it because it is where thousands of people live. I cannot judge because their circumstances are complex and complicated. They are truly victims of a society, like so many others, which at times can feel as it feeds off human misery.
To continue reading Evelyn's blog, click here.
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Introducing Katie Dunne
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 Hello! My name is Katie and I will be working as an Intern at AbleChildAfrica for the next six months and I am really looking forward to being part of the team. I will be working alongside Amber to assist with fundraising operations and events, such as the upcoming London Marathon and the Live Below the Line Campaign, along with many other exciting events on our calendar.I graduated from university last year and have recently returned from volunteering in Sri Lanka, where I worked with disabled individuals. I have experience of working with young disabled people both overseas and in the UK and so AbleChildAfrica is an organisation that I knew I wanted to be a part of. I've already been working here for two weeks and already feel at home and welcomed by the amazing team and can't wait for the next few months!
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Could you live on £1 a day for 5 days?
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So far 25 people have signed up to take the challenge which is fantastic and brings us half way to our target. Do you think you could do it?
For the first time ever AbleChildAfrica is taking part in the UK's only experiential fundraising campaign, Live Below the Line, challenging people to live on £1 a day for 5 days. Our supporters use their experience to create conversations, raise money and awareness of communities living in extreme poverty. AbleChildAfrica was compelled to take part in the campaign due to lack of awareness of the chronic poverty cycle that many disabled people globally find themselves trapped within. Did you know that more than 80% of disabled people in the developing world live below the poverty line?
From 28th April - 2nd May 2014, thousands of people across the UK, United States and Canada will be taking part in the challenge. If you don't want to run a marathon, grow a moustache or jump out a plane but still want to challenge yourself and raise money for a great cause then read on here to find out more about the challenge.
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Triathlon team places still available
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AbleChildAfrica still has a team place left for the London Triathlon this August. Sign up with us to take on the challenge of a lifetime and raise money to support disabled kids in Africa at the same time!
The olympic distance event is a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run. We have a team spot for either a team of 3 to do one event each as a relay, or for a brave individual to take on all three events.
Hurry to get your place at the early bird fee of £40 before April 15th! To sign up, just get in contact with amber@ablechildafrica.org.uk
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Thank you for taking the time to read about our work in this issue. Your contributions are essential and if you would like to donate to AbleChildAfrica's general fund please
set up a standing order or make a one-off donation or Text 'ABLE11 £2/ £5 /£10' to 70070.
We would also love to hear from you. Feedback on our newsletters and comments/questions about our work are always welcome. Finally, don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for real time updates.
Sincerely,
Jane Anthony
Executive Director
AbleChildAfrica
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