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Transcript of The African Dream Benefit - Newsletter 2013
2013
“The Miracle of Education”
The African Dream Benefit l Po Box 1253 Innaloo, 6918 WA I [email protected] I www.theafricandream.org.au
2 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Each year that passes with The African Dream Benefit, the more we are reminded of the importance of
education in the development of the African continent. As each year surpasses, we come across more and
more inspiring individuals hungry to change the face of their continent.
So far, 2013 has been a milestone year for The African Dream Benefit with the launching of our Tertiary
Scholarship Program. The founding principle of the organisation was to “empower through education”.
Empowerment is key to what we do, and is only realised when an individual reaches their point of self-
actualisation. Self-actualisation is realised when an individual is able to achieve their dreams, and this is
achieved through a quality and relevant education. Through our Tertiary Scholarship Program, we have
empowered individuals to reach their goals, not only for themselves but also for their nation and communities.
Contained in this newsletter are the stories of our first two university scholarships. Their stories are inspiring and
heart warming. During my annual visit to Zimbabwe last year July, we went to the University of Zimbabwe and
we learnt of a student who was found by one of the cleaners sleeping in one of the lecture rooms everyday.
The university later discovered that this particular student could not afford to catch a bus to and from the
university. Instead he slept in the lecture rooms so he could make his classes everyday. This student was a rural
student studying medicine. He achieved straight A’s in his final exams at secondary school. He was
determined, and so where we. So we sponsored him. There are many more inspiring stories that we come
across. The need is immense, and we hope to continue to grow our Tertiary scholarship Program so we can
continue to invest in Africa’s future.
As we continue to embark on this wonderful and rewarding journey, I would like to take this opportunity to
thank each and every one of you including our volunteers, supporters and stakeholders. Thank you for shaping
the future of Africa, and believing in ‘The African Dream’.
Fadzai Matambanadzo Founder
Message from Founder
3 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Message from Project Manager
“Education is very important in the African context in that it is a liberator from poverty, hunger, disease and above all ignorance. I am glad to be a part of The African Dream Benefit as I am able to assist in liberating the children and youth of Africa through the most important vehicle that is education. Some students drop out of school mainly due to the lack of funds. And those that do get the opportunity of attending school have to endure the discomfort of having to squat on the floor as they have no desks or chairs. Some girls even opt to get married as they see it as a way to lessen the burden.
I would like to say a big thank you to the supporters, friends, and believers of The African Dream Benefit. Thank you for your support that is enabling us to give scholarships to disadvantaged children and youth here in Africa. We appreciate that you are giving your time and resources to make this African dream a big success. We thank you.”
Tsitsi Makoni
Message from Operations Manager
“My African dream is to motivate, inspire and empower through education. This is what we aim to achieve through our day-to-day operational activities. From an operations strategy point of view, we have policies, plans and
controls in place that control the use of our limited resources. From the various surveys we have conducted in the country over the years, we realised that the need for scholarships and educational materials is too enormous. This is where organisations such as The African Dream Benefit fit in and play an important role in educating young Africans. We are not here to replace efforts of other institutions and organisations, but we are here to augment the efforts already
in place. We would like to thank all Directors, the Advisory Board, stakeholders, supporters friends and believers of The African Dream Benefit. You are helping us make a difference to the children and youth of Africa. We hope that you continue to further your interests in the African child.”
Simon Chihwanda
4 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Launch of Tertiary Scholarships: Dream into Reality
Since launching in 2009, our dream
as an organisation has been to
award university scholarships.
However, to achieve this we had to
start with baby steps and award
primary and secondary school
scholarships first.
On January the 18th, exactly 4 years
since the birth of The African Dream
Benefit, our team arrived at The
University of Zimbabwe with one
special mission in mind; to have a
presentation ceremony to award
our first tertiary scholarships. Our
team arrived in the office of
Professor Nyagura,
Vice Chancellor of the university. Also
warmly welcoming the team was the
Dean of the College of Health
Sciences Professor Chidzonga, along
with other staff from the university.
The scholarships were awarded to
two deserving students Helen and
Happiness, who despite their
circumstances have been able to
stay motivated in order for them to
achieve their gaols. We look forward
to building a strong relationship with
the university and maintain its position
as one of our most important
stakeholders.
Continued on next page…
“He who opens a school door, closes a prison” Victor Hugo
Left to right: Simon Chihwanda (ADB Operations Manager), Helen (Recipient), Prof Nyagura (Vice Chancellor of University), Fadzai Matambanadzo (Founder of ADB), Happiness (Recipient), Tsitsi Makoni (ADB Project Manager)
5 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
“With both parents unemployed and now in their late sixties, survival is based on a small
chicken mesh in the backyard, which has to cater for feeding the family and fees for my
younger siblings. This has been a challenge for me as it has not been enough to pay my
fees. The African Dream Scholarship will be of value to my studies. Getting the scholarship
now means I will concentrate on my studies with no worries. This will enable me to excel
and become a better doctor who will be able to adequately give back to my community.
My African Dream is to have healthcare for every African. I wish to see health
transcending to all sectors of the community and reaching the remote places of the
continent. I believe that the development of the community is centred on the health of its
members. If people are healthy they can plan, make decisions pertaining to development
and can be involved wholly in manual activities. I want to offer myself as a medical
practitioner and be involved in Public Health. I want to strategically target the young. They
are important stakeholders in a nation’s development. They are the future of Africa and
are responsible for transforming Africa. A healthy person builds a healthy Africa because
healthy people’s minds are able to innovate and labor is adequately available.”
Helen (Medical Scholarship Recipient 2013)
“I am the first born in a family of six. My mother is late and my father is a security guard.
Supporting my siblings in their day-to-day living is a constant challenge for my father. The
fees required by the university are beyond his reach. Thank you to The African Dream
Benefit for intervening and supporting me at a very critical point in my life. It has always
been my dream to become a doctor and become of use to my siblings and community.
After my under graduate programme I want to specialise in paediatric surgery and will use
my skills to offer free surgery to children with birth defects.
I believe that affordable high quality education is the most important way to significantly
stop problems such as poverty, illiteracy, diseases, corruption and widespread
unemployment. I dream of a Africa where children run free playing in the streets knowing
that their future is secure.”
Happiness (Medical Scholarship Recipient 2013)
Launch of Tertiary Scholarships:
continued….
Meet our university scholars:
6 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Project 50Five: A campaign supporting our ‘Tertiary Scholarship
Program’
Project 50Five is a campaign that was initiated in 2012
to raise funds for the launch of our Tertiary Scholarship
Program. In Zimbabwe, approximately 4% of
secondary students transition to post-secondary
education. Investing in Africa’s future means investing
heavily in post secondary education.
In awarding our first tertiary scholarships, we have
decided to work with the College of Health Sciences
at the University of Zimbabwe. This faculty is
internationally recognised as producing some of the
best medical practitioners in Africa. By choosing to
work with the College of Health Sciences, we are also
addressing 5 out of the 8 UN Millennium Development
Goals. These are:
· Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
· Promoting gender equality & empowering women
· Reducing child mortality rates,
· Improving maternal health,
· Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,
Project 50Five aims to raise funds by encouraging
many of our supporters to donate just $20/month for
12 months. For every 55 people that do this, a well
deserving student studies medicine for 5 years.
Help us change the life of a well deserving student by
giving them the opportunity to relinquish themselves
from the poverty cycle and become a future leader in
Africa!
To donate visit
www.theafricandream.org.au/project50five
7 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Mission Award: African Professionals
Association of WA gives award to Founder
Founder of The African Dream
Benefit, Fadzai Matambanadzo was awarded the ‘African
Professional Mission’ Award by the African Professionals of Australia last year.
She accepted the award during their Gala ball held at Novotel Hotel in Perth in September 2012.
This award recognises African-Australians who are positively impacting and uplifting the
community. Fadzai was recognised for her mission to change the lives of other Africans
in Africa through The African Dream Benefit.
The award was presented by the
Executive Director of the Office of Multicultural Interest, Maria Osman.
Other special guests included - Hon Julie Bishop: Deputy Leader
of the Federal Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister for Trade
- Mr Bill Turner: Chairman of Australia-Africa Mining Industry
Group - Mr Matthew Neuhaus: Australian
Ambassador to Zimbabwe. - And many other African ministers
and dignitaries.
© Image courtesy of APA
From Left to right: Mr Tommy Adedayo (President of African Professional Association) and the Hon Julie Bishop MP (Deputy Leader of the Federal Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister for Trade)
© Image courtesy of APA
From Left to right: Mr Bill Turner (Chairman of Australia-Africa Mining Industry Group), Mrs Turner, Fadzai Matambanadzo (Founder of The African Dream Benefit), Mr Matthew Neuhaus (Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe), and Mrs Neuhaus
We thank the African Professionals
of Australia for their support and recognising the work and
commitment of The African Dream Benefit team in assisting disadvantage children and youth through education.
© Image courtesy of APA
8 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
“Small deeds done, are better than great deed
planned” Peter Marshall
On the 20th of October in 2012 we
held our 6th fundraising event to raise
funds for our projects at the
Government House Ballroom.
Special guest for the evening was Mr
Ian Britza MLA (Member for Morley)
who gave a powerful and heart felt
speech.
The evening included delectable
finger foods and wines. Guests
enjoyed special performances from
Ka Dance Des Ziles with their vibrant
Mauritian traditional dancing.
The evening also included a live and
silent auction, which raised just
under $13,000. Stand out items were
paintings by Zimbabwean born
wildlife artist Craig Hilton Barber who
donated some of his most beautiful
works for the auction.
The evening was yet another
fundraising success for the
organisation raising much needed
funds for our scholarships and
educational projects.
Thank you to all the guests who
attended and helped us raise the
much-needed funds. Our next
fundraising dinner is on the 19th of
October 2013 at Government House
Ballroom.
For more photos from the event visit
www.theafricandream.org.au
African Dream Cocktail Fundraiser
9 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Outdoor classroom at Macheke Primary School in Macheke, Zimbabwe
10 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats
Annual Trips Zimbabwe
In June/July 2012 and
January/February 2013 Founder
of ADB Fadzai Matambanadzo
was in Zimbabwe for her annual
visits. In both visits Fadzai toured
the country with Project Manager
Tsitsi Makoni and Operations
Manager Simon Chihwanda
overlooking past and present
projects. New partnerships were
created and the planning of new
and upcoming projects begun.
The trips included visits to Monte
Cassino Secondary School, Kriste
Mambo Secondary School, St
Barbara Primary School, Macheke
Primary School, Trishill Primary
School, Mt Carmel Primary
School, and the University of
Zimbabwe.
The team met with the heads of the
schools to discuss the progress of
scholarship recipients, interview
new recipients and to discuss new
projects. We congratulate our top 3
performing primary school
scholarships recipients Leon,
Charmaine and Nomatter who
graduated from grade 7 with
straight A’s. We look forward to
continuing sponsoring them
throughout their secondary school
studies.
Our team also visited the University
of Zimbabwe in January 2013 for
the presentation ceremony of our
first tertiary scholarships.
Continued on next page….
11 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Our team met with the Vice-
Chancellor of the university, the
Dean of the College of Health
Sciences, and other staff at the
university. The scholarships were
launched as part of the Project
50Five campaign which begun
raising funds for the Tertiary
Scholarship Program last year. At the
conclusion of the visit, the Vice-
Chancellor of the university and the
Founder of ADB agreed to formalise
a partnership, and continue to grow
the relationship.
A new partnership was also created
with the Catholic Education
Commission of Zimbabwe, which
runs over 200 schools in country.
.
We look forward to growing our
partnerships and relationships with
stakeholders in order to improve on
our efficiency in the deliverance of
our projects. Partnerships are
integral to our operational
efficiency and sustainability.
Annual Trips Continued….
An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
Benjamin Franklin
12 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
13 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©
Help us fight poverty and make a donation today!
Direct Debit: Westpac bank - The African Dream Benefit BSB: 036027 Acc: 380765
Credit card: Via www.theafricandream.org.au (click ʻDonateʼ) Or email us at [email protected]
Or call us on 0401888661/0422786394
Donate. Be part of The African Dream and empower a student with quality education!
Our fundraising dinner will be
held on the 19th of October at
the Government House
Ballroom. Tickets will be
available soon.
Updates…
We are getting busier, and we
are looking for volunteers to
dedicate a few hours a week
to the organisation. If you
based in Perth and are
interested email
We would like to thank all our
supporters, sponsors, donors,
friends and volunteers for the
hard work, dedications and
donations. Thank you to:
- Our Advisory Board
- Volunteers
- Clayton Utz
- Inteirra
- Shangara Jive
- Craig Hilton Barber
- Ka Dance Des Ziles
- And those who donate their
time and money to the children
and youth of Africa.
Thank you…