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Hello from Sydney, Australia I was thinking of the successful journey that the drama project has taken since I first discussed the idea

with Angela in April 2014. I could not have anticipated the impact that both ASAA and Young At Heart

have made in the community through drama and puppetry. Indeed several participants have commented

that attending the performances has brought positive changes in their lives.

The project’s success is due to a number of key people ( Forgiven, Nanzile, Bongo) working with Angela and

the ZDDT team to deliver social messages on topics including health, human rights, climate change to

name just a few whilst providing some joy and fun in challenging circumstances. The drama project is a

medium through which they can develop self-confidence, learn and then deliver important social messages.

I wish to congratulate everyone who has been involved in the drama project from the small beginnings in

2014. Firstly to the participants, I continue to be impressed by your energy, commitment and ability to

find new stories to entertain and educate your local communities. Thank you to YAH and the ASAA team

in motivating the young people, encouraging them to extend their talents and being such positive role

models.

Angela, I appreciate your energy and commitment to GRD project it would not be so successful without your

input and direction. Thank you and Mandla for the photos, anecdotes and stories which enable me to ‘be in

the audience” here in Sydney. Thank you to the councillors and their local communities for their support

and attendance at ASAA and YAH performances.

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This second booklet showcases the extent and variety of

the project to date; there is much more to cover, indeed it

is an ever growing topic. I have an ongoing

commitment to funding drama at a grass roots level,

as the ZDDT team are aware and am particularly in-

terested in helping young people and their families to-

wards a positive future.

I am honoured to have this opportunity to contribute to

a project which explores community issues in a

meaningful and fun way!!

Geraldine Roche,

Sydney, Australia

December, 2017

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16th April 2014: Mike and Geraldine Roche visited their projects facilitated by ZDDT in Zimbabwe, and were treated to a drama performance by Amazing Stars Arts Academy at the community garden in Ward 19. The gentleman playing his accordion thoroughly entertained all present! A great time was had by all! Discussion took place in the car between Geraldine and Angela of ZDDT in the car on the way back to the hotel...and so began the GERALDINE ROCHE DRAMA project in Bulawayo Zimbabwe. The drama project has become a valuable component of ZDDTs main programme!

The drama performance that inspired Geraldine Roche to invest in

a drama programme through ZDDT...

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The Geraldine Roche funded drama programme (GRD) born April 2014 in a Sally Foundation Community Garden has provided ZDDT a creative means of sharing community messages in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe using drama groups Amazing Stars Arts Academy and Young At Heart. Social, health, child and domestic abuse, family planning, the importance of a birth certificate and identity registration, leadership and environmental messages are delivered at Residents Meetings and other public venues such as the Sally Foundation funded community gardens in Wards 15,19,21,26 and 27, market places, bus termini, informal settlements, ‘shebeens’ (bars) and shopping centres throughout the city. And on social media. Health messages have resulted in more project beneficiaries testing for HIV AIDS. Treatment (or maintenance with Anti Retro Virals) has added to the value of the Nutritional Gardens. Drama is also used to reinforce principles shared in training workshops held for garden beneficiaries. Networking with other organisations has resulted in the general public receiving free legal advice, family planning services and assistance in getting personal identity documents and birth certificates. The GRD programme attracted the interest of the Konrad Adeneur Foundation who then funded 29 drama performances around Climate Change in 2016. The play, “The Sun Is Burning” incorporates several social factors in order to deliver a ‘holistic message’ so as to achieve Value For Money – maximising the ‘people investor dollar’. ZDDTs main partner recently funded 28 drama performances around key citizen mobilisation messages to compliment the GRD contribution of 87 performances to this particular programme...many people know about GERALDINE ROCHE! Thank you for your investment to date in these young artists Geraldine! And for giving ZDDT an exciting means of delivering key community and citizen mobilisation methods!

SIYABONGA...THANK YOU...TATENDA

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Amazing Stars Arts Academy

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Amazing Stars Arts Academy‘s play “The Sun Is Burning“ employs a holistic approach to address climate change specifically, and social issues in general. The drama message is designed to dispel climate change myths that lay blame on goblins, snakes, people of different races, aeroplanes sent by the British to chase away the rain clouds, sanctions and witchcraft. Environmental awareness is covered by discouraging the chopping down of trees, overgrazing, careless littering and burning of litter. Basic climate change coping mechanisms such as wiser farming methods are shared. To add to the ‘holistic mix’, comparisons are drawn between community leaders of integrity and those of shallow values. The drama urges citizens to participate in community affairs, hold their community leaders to account and to not fall for unrealistic election campaign promises. Satirical mention of some churches who preach fire instead of rain is made warning people that there are false prophets out to capitalise on people’s desperate situations. This play is adapted for different events, audiences and the dynamic operating environment. The drama performances are a success because they attract audiences from all walks of life. The message has either amused, educated or infuriated people, and given some the confidence to speak out about problems within their wards. Amazing Stars Arts Academy braved Riot Police presence during times of turmoil and still performed with passion and commitment!!! Commitment to the project and open engagement with the law has demonstrated transparency and genuine development interests. The drama message is for all people!

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Amazing Stars Arts Academy perform “The Sun Is Burning” in and around Bulawayo. The play carries ’citizen mobilisation’ messages that cover many aspects of day to day life...

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Highlight the dangers and reality of Climate Change.

Encourage better farming practices and other

environmental awareness.

Urge people participation in all community related

matters.

Address social issues including leadership and churches

who are making money from people seeking diving

intervention during these times of economic hardship in

Zimbabwe...

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Cowdray Park, Emganwini and Entumbane and...

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Imyinela, Luveve and Harare Road Terminus and...

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Mpopoma, Old Pumula and Pumula East...to name a few.

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Amazing Stars Arts Academy supported the Australian Embassy Representative’s visit to Ward 26, Emganwini community garden at the early stages of the gardens development. DAP and Sally Foundation (Founders and Directors Mike and Geraldine Roche) have co-funded this garden therefore it was fitting to have a Geraldine Roche funded drama performance at this occasion. In their efforts to promote the importance of tree planting, Amazing Stars Arts Academy donated a tree to the garden. Councillor Norman Hlabano accepted this on behalf of the project beneficiaries.

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Auditioning for

Konrad Adeneur

Foundation...

The group gave a terrific and energetic Geraldine Roche funded performance at Ward 19, Kirimuva Garden funded by Sally Foundation to launch their play “The Sun Is Burning”, and showcase their efforts to Konrad Adeneur Foundation (KAF) Representative Winnie Tshuma (pictured bottom and top right below). This performance lead to KAF funding a Climate Change Drama programme through ZDDT—Amazing Stars Arts Academy were contracted for 28 performances in September 2016. The Geraldine Roche Drama programme reaching the eyes and ears of other funding agencies!!The group also performed in Sizinda Community Gar-den in a drama message that reinforces good project leadership and management principles.

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The official opening of the Ward 26 Emganwini Community Garden (Green

Fields)...Mike Roche of Sally Foundation visited the Sally funded gardens and witnessed a Geraldine Roche Drama

performance that supported the official opening ceremony of Emganwini community garden in Ward 26. The drama message was well performed by the actors in an ’interactive manner’ and well received by the audience.

Mike is pictured left with Amazing Stars Arts Academy. The young man with red hair acted as “Mike Roche from Australia” and did a fantastic job of trying to pull off Mike’s accent. 142 performances in 2016/2017, all inspired by Geraldine Roche who also funded 63 of the 142 Performances.

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AND IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT HAVING FUN!!

What some people have said about the Geraldine Roche funded Amazing Stars

Arts Academy drama performances.

A few of many testimonies...

Andrew Bowden DFID: “I am very impressed especially because it is a local initiative supporting the local community, nice link with the Councillor, very impressive is the work happening here. So thank you very much for inviting us to come and witness. And keep up the good work,” said Andrew Bowden DFID. He also praised the drama group for an informative action. “The drama was very informative on the climate change and very skilled group of artistes, thank you again for the show, that’s great,” he concluded. Nomsa Phiri: “I am glad that the Councillor was listening to the words of wisdom, which told him to remain the servant of the people not a boss. Councillors are also corrupt and sometimes come back to the people when they want to be re-elected into offices to do more corruption. And I am telling you the truth that our Councillor rarely comes to us and he is not always here for us when we are being harassed by some corrupt council officials”. Tymon Khumalo: “This is my first time to see our Councillor in public. Thanks to the drama. I only voted him into office and that was my last time to hear about his name, as I did not know him personally. Thank you drama guys and your ZDDT for this theatre that unite the community and their servant leaders. This drama has led me to finally meet my Councillor. Thank you ZDDT, please do the same to other corners of Bulawayo and beyond”.

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Theodora Dube: “Yes it is true that a leader must be transparent and must also be careful, on whatever he or she does, as the leader is the mirror that reflects his work every time. The drama summed it all on communication and how people must work together for the betterment of any project”. Thabo Kunene: “These drama guys are too good and smart in their information delivery. They are very informative and rich with ideas. They really know what they are doing. This has been an interactive drama, as their planning is timed and up to date on current events and situation. I like the white woman Angela. Who exactly is Angela Mason and what does she do? I will be glad to meet her in person for a chat in your next drama action. It looks like she is a kind woman and tolerant.” Tracy Nkomo: “Oh my God! I am glad to know that a Councillor is a servant of the people. I used to know that a Councillor is honourable and a boss. I am now happy to that it is the other way. This drama is an eye opener for sure. Why didn’t you come to us soon after elections you ZDDT people? I am impressed by your work guys, you are really there for the people. When was this organisation formed? Please spread to other parts of the country with your educative programs”. Percy Mcijo: a Labour Lawyer who also watched the action in Lobengula Street, said, “This is a piece of good work from young people. I’m glad of the power I have seen in this action. I was on my way to the office but was stopped by the messages in the drama to wait to its end. I have also realised that there is power in theatre and drama because no one was asked to come and watch but look at what happened, hundreds of people ended up gathering to enjoy the action. This is a good coordination ZDDT, keep up the good work.”

more...

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...seriously— we are not just having fun. Drama is a

great means of sharing public messages!

Margaret Mwanza a former Trade Unionist and now a vendor had this to say, “This very educative and entertaining. I just enjoyed the action and at the same time feeling the impact of the message especially on servant leadership. It is true that some section of community leaders grow big heads after their election into offices. They will take themselves as untouchable honourables, who will be need the honour of not even do their duties which they were elected to do“. Pretty Moyo, was quick to comment but also refused to give out her contact phone. “The littering part was the most important, as this is our current predicament with the random littering of pumpers. We now have careless mothers in our townships, who do not care about dumping. I think Amazing Stars must come again and this time spent at least three hours in action. They are a good performing group that I can watch even daily.” Dorren Ngara, “Climate change and corruption are now our new diseases in Zimbabwe. The composition of these two problems mentioned in the act by your Amazing Stars drama group is very true. We really need to get rid of these two complications, according to the drama. I have also liked the message delivered in the act that climate change is not caused by witchcraft neither by white people as negatively said by some section of the misinformed community”.

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Wonder Bheka, “I did not know that smoke is not good for health. I was of the opinion that smoke forms clouds that will make rains, hence the need for more thick smoke to have rains. I have also learnt of the importance of planting trees. I am a traditional old man and believed in goblins as the cause of lack of rain. But yes traditionally it is also another case of bad omen. The drama is good for exposing that. I hope people will also stop littering their places especially with pampers. I will also keep myself busy in the garden with farming and educate others to stop littering for environmental cleanliness. Martha Nyathi, “This workshop has opened my eyes on the importance of having a good relationship with fellow workmates. This Garden is our workplace and for us to succeed, we need to be united.The planting of trees is truly important as it gives us oxygen and shade. That is true my son the drama has just revealed the workshop’s objectives of unity and climate change adaptation methods.We really need to work towards the improvement of working together in peace and also plant more trees in our garden to improve our health”. Gledis Waya, “I am glad to learn on the types of crops that are suitable for this current climate situation. I did not know that one can grow crops that suit the ever changing climatic conditions. I have also learnt that I must resort to our traditional sorghum farming which is adaptable to our weather in Zimbabwe. The drama drove me back to the sixties, where we used to follow our traditional ways of farming and harvesting. Idah Ncube, has this to say, “Oh yes, I have also been reminded of my past as a young lady. It is true that long back before we grow old, we used to do some traditional rain making ceremonies where we collected all the litter for the purpose of cleansing”.

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By Mandla Tshuma

Amazing Stars Arts Academy (ASAA), a local drama group, has said working with Geraldine Roche has given them immeasurable exposure as artistes in Bulawayo and beyond. Amazing Stars Arts Academy Director, Forgiven Ndlovu said they would forever remain grateful to Geraldine whom they said had positively impacted their lives through sponsoring their drama group for years now.

“Geraldine Roche has given us a wide spectrum of exposure as ASAA as we now get invited to come and perform at different fora,” said Ndlovu. He said recently, working with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), ASAA staged performances on the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) of citizens ahead of next year’s elections, in St Peter’s and Cowdray Park.

He said their lives had changed for the better since they met Geraldine and her husband, Mike. “Through the Geraldine Roche Drama support, our members now have a source of income, something that we will forever appreciate,” said Ndlovu. The outspoken Ndlovu added that they were happy that they were able to support one of their members with school fees, out of what they are making from drama shows.

“The Bulawayo community has also been highly receptive to our drama shows. We have been encouraged to

expand our outreach to cover the whole of Matabeleland if not the whole of Zimbabwe with resources

permitting,” added Ndlovu.

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“I would like to thank Geraldine Roche for uplifting us as an

organization, we are now respected in our society because of her. I

would also like to say may God give her many more years to come. In

my community

you have

uplifted many

families , many

of our group

members are

now bread

winners because

of you , God bless

you!”

Forgiven Ndlovu ,

Founder and

Director of Amazing

Stars Arts Academy .

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Young At Heart is ‘Bongo and Nanzile’, two passionate puppeteers and drama performers who write their scripts around social issues within their community. Geraldine Roche funded proposal writing and basic counselling training for the pair and this has greatly assisted with their work in communities.

Nanzile is HIV positive and openly shares her status as a means of informing people about ‘how to live positively with HIV’.

They also advocate for personal documentation under the slogan “no identity—no life”.

To date they have partnered and shared platforms with the following organizations in order to maximise impact at events (value for money):…..

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Young At Heart’s performances add a light hearted, but meaningful, educational element to otherwise serious issues. They also complement other organisations activities resulting in a ‘holistic approach’ to development. Ngozi Mine events take place in a shelter jointly funded by Sally Foundation and Open Schools Worldwide represented by Pastor Mitchell Lawerence. The shelter is used as a community hall where church services, adult and children education classes, public meetings and drama performances take place. 96 paid performances in the period 2016 and 2017 have complemented ZDDTs main Citizen Mobilisation programme!

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ZDDT and Young At Heart facilitating Geraldine Roche Drama programmes at Ngozi has created a public platform, and an ‘opening up of space’ for other Civil Society Organisations. The level of poverty and social decay, as well as stigmatisation of this informally settled community allows for other organisations or, at times, unscrupulous individuals to connect with the Ngozi people — for all purposes — good or bad.

Active on a regular basis at Ngozi Mine is The Bethel Church and Open Schools World Wide who conduct Adult education in basic literacy and numeracy, run and informal Early Child Development programme, and conduct church and sewing club activities. Pastor Mitchell Lawerence actively engages with City Council and Ministry of Education for the benefit of the residents, and has been approached by the Education Ministry to build a ‘formal school’ in the area so that many more children benefit. Sally Foundation plans for their Ngozi Mine Development programme includes sinking and equipping a borehole for the Ngozi Mine Community. This will be done for the proposed school.

An on-going ‘book drive’ for the proposed Ngozi Community Library will help equip the library. Sally Foundation has funded an extension to the temporary shelter used as a Community Hall in support of the Geraldine Roche Drama project.

An organisation called Mustard Seed run a regular ‘feeding scheme’ This intervention complements the ZDDT and Young At Heart social advocacy. The church handles spiritual development whilst Geraldine Roche Drama handles grass-root social ills in partnership with other organisations. Young At Heart themes cover issues such as:

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HIV/AIDS Teenage Pregnancy Teenage marriage Drug And Alcohol Abuse Child Abuse, Self Esteem and Pride Citizen Participation Family Planning Gender based violence Documentation

Young At Heart promote the Arts as a means of self-expression and this instils confidence in individuals allowing them to openly express themselves. The church and the Geraldine Roche drama efforts have been further complemented by the Sally Foundation funding of Blair Toilets. These toilets replace the undignified hole in the ground behind plastic sheeting where an old tyre was used as a toilet seat. The Ngozi Mine Community contributed their labour to build these toilets. Painting was facilitated by Young At Heart. Bongo lead the community in painting the Murals. Great fun was had by all!! RESTORING PRIDE AND DIGNITY.

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Pastor Mitchell Lawerence often receives goodies from well wishers

for distribution at Ngozi Mine.

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Young At Heart share The Bethel Church platform as well as perform in other parts of Ngozi Mine. There are 3 communities dotted around the Municipal Landfill site. Each one has its own unique challenges, especially around leadership! People vying for power even at grass-root level! Water and electricity are an issue...none available. The community survive by drawing water from the Municipal Landfill Site office. The nearest formal school is a few kms away from the settlement. Most parents cannot afford school fees so many children do not go to school. The Bethel Church and Geraldine Roche Drama project are filling an important gap, especially for the younger children. Older children have to go to formal school (as they are not covered by Early Child Development classes) and this can be traumatising for them as they are often ‘stigmatised’ as homeless, dirty and poor by their peers.

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Young At Heart honouring the Oldies for the part they have played in developing the infrastructure of Zimbabwe...for helping build Zimbabwe! For being parents! For being grandparents! This was the beginning a relationship with the home. Thanks to the Geraldine Roche Drama programme, Entembeni Old People’s Home agreed to host the Sally Foundation nutritional gardens Value Addition Cooking Programme. During the fun and valuable programme, fresh produce and preserves were donated to the home by the project beneficiaries.

Another value addition cooking programme is being planned by Sally Foundation for 2018. Men will be invited to participate as they expressed the need for this training.

Geraldine Roche has funded 12 Young At Heart events for the gardens in 2018. The events will be used to reinforce the value of a varied and balanced diet and the earning potential of value added produce such as pickles and preserves.

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Sally Foundation Value Addition Cooking Programme

Food preparation in progress - Value Addition Cooking Programme funded by Sally Foundation. Entembeni Old Peo-ple’s Home in Luveve, Bulawayo hosted the event.. Food prepared was served to the homes residents who got to enjoy a variety of dishes. Jams and pickles were donated for the Oldies to enjoy with their meals.

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A fantastic outcome of the Sally Foundation Value Addition Cooking programme is the ladies that were trained have taken their knowledge back to the gardens are have been training their fellow project members!! Ward 19 and Ward 21 have been particularly active! Well done to all involved!

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Small Business training conducted for all

Sally Foundation Gardens

In support of all the gardens and the Value Addition Cooking training, Sally Foundation funded Market and Small Business training for all the Sally gardens as a means of skill sharing.

Training was conducted by Yvonne Berkhout facilitated by ZDDT, funded by Sally Foundation and supported by Geraldine Roche Drama where Young At Heart acted out the training in an educational and highly entertaining performance!.

Well done to all

involved!

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Young At Heart supporting the W21 Sizinda Garden Market and

Small Business training with drama.

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Self-help messages in the Sally Foundation Gardens

through drama….

Geraldine Roche funded Young At Heart to perform the principles of self-help for community garden beneficiaries. Their message covers agriculture, HIV AIDS, value addition, domestic violence, child abuse, personal documentation such as birth certificates and identity document. The drama has been well received by the project beneficiaries and they look forward to 2 more performances in each garden in 2018.

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Young At Heart acted out the principles of self-help to Ward 26 Emganwini garden beneficiaries. Sally Foundation partnered with DAP in funding this garden. Sally Foundation funded the drilling and equipping of a solar powered borehole, and will fund the extension of the shelter and the tank stand in 2018. DAP funded the initial shelter that will be extended to accommodate over 100 members.

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Young At Heart performing at Thembiso

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...and at the Nemiah Youth Centre in Ward 28.

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Residents in Bulawayo, who have watched shows by a local drama group, Young At Heart (YAH),

have described them as highly informative and relevant to their day to day living.

Funded by Geraldine Roche, Young At Heart in collaboration with Zimbabwe Development

Democracy Trust (ZDDT) has been staging performances at the five nutritional gardens in

Bulawayo funded by Sally Foundation and supported by ZDDT in Bulawayo.

The main actors in the drama are Bongani Hlatshwayo, affectionately known as Bongo, and his

partner, Nanzile Nyathi. The shows cover a variety of themes which include diet, HIV and AIDS,

living positive, education and other related social issues. “I had a chance to watch that drama group

perform at our garden and what I can say is that their plays are very informative,” said Sally

Masuku, of Ward 19 in Old Pumula. “With regards to living positively, I would say residents are

really being helped. The drama is also entertaining with the couple’s baby also acting with his

parents.” Charles Dube, of the newly established, Emganwini Community Garden said the drama

shows by YAH were touching issues affecting residents in the community, adding that they were

very relevant. “Through their drama performances, which I have found highly educative and

informative, as residents and members of the community, we are taught to be well-behaved,

exercise restraint and self-control,” Dube told ZDDT News. He said he believed some of the

solutions to residents’ problems were being addressed by the drama shows.

News snippet...Young At Heart in the Sally Foundation Gardens

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How did you get involved with Geraldine Roche Drama? “Through competitions by ASAA we were recognized becoz we were using puppetry”. How has Geraldine Roche Drama assisted you to grow you organization? It has helped to think outside the box In general GRD has helped us to grow, incalculated in us discipline ,self re-liance, skills and self value not to mention a very good working relationship with ZDDT. Many thanks because we found a mentor, a role model ,someone who has been able to panel-beat us into the pillars that we are today ,Angela Mason”.

Could you explain some of the activities you do with local communities. Arts ,drama ,facilitation, testimonies all in expressing and imparting information (social and environ-ment)”.

What have you enjoyed about being involved with GRD? GRD has given us the platform to grow individually ,network and be go getters”.

Has GRD support enabled you to develop/create new op-portunities for your work? “Yes because we are now able to advocate for what we want ,contain ourselves and dispute constructively”.

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A Health Expo held at Ngozi Mine on the 13th and 14th May 2017 was organised by Junior Chambers International and attracted a lot of players who partnered to assist the Ngozi Mine community. Young At Heart known for their advocacy approach to HIV and other social issues using art as an ex-pression tool, participated under Geraldine Roche Drama. A local newspaper, The Chronicle covered the event. ZDDT Facebook posts advertising the event attracted interest from health personnel wishing to offer their services free of charge from Bulawayo and Harare. Harare people were disappointed that they could not contribute! Too far from home! Dentists from the Zimbabwe Dental Association, private Pharmacists and Doctors, Trinity, Young At Heart and Simple Smart Pads contributed to the 2 day event. Medical professionals continue to donate their services to the people of Ngozi Mine as an on-going exercise.

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Products prepared using Value Addition Cooking skills taught being sold at the Market Stall at Sizinda Community Garden. Other gardens are selling their products too!! From their gardens and commercially to schools and other business. The ’MaSiziba’ Trademark has been funded by, and registered to Sally Foundation. The label will be used across all 5 gardens.

The Geraldine Roche drama message around Value Addition has been key in educating all project beneficiaries on this subject.

The “commercial gardening” in Ward 21 is lead by Yvonne Berkhout of ‘GoGreen”.

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A BIG thank you from Mandla Tshuma and Angela Mason (pictured together to the left) to ZDDT Field Officers Pamela Mackay, Vusa Chirwa and Maria Lunga for your photos and performance feedback! Without you, our job of monitoring, reporting, social media, success stories and booklets would be very difficult! And a BIG thank you to Edward Chikwayi, the Sally Foundation Site Supervisor for always being available to assist in setting up activities!

You are all STARS!

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…Colin Mansell from the UK for the puppets donated to Young At Heart! Your continued support for drama is so appreciated...

and to Chrispen Tabvura for his unwavering commitment to ZDDT and Geraldine Roche Drama throughout his association with ZDDT, despite the personal challenges he faced when ZDDT had no institutional funding. Many fears and tears!! You are a star Chris!!

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Founders and Directors of Sally Foundation

Website: sallyfoundation.org.au

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