Ballet Teacher for African Children
Donation protected
My goal is pretty simple. I want to bring a talented young African ballet dancer, aged 17, to Australia so she can embark on full-time training to equip her with enough skills to return home and become a dance teacher for her community. She will attend dance lessons at my studio each day as well as studying for a teaching practice with highly regarded Examiner and Teacher Karen Malek.
My name is Josephine Woodberry. For 20 years I have run my ballet school, Brunswick School of Dance , in Melbourne Australia. Many beautiful children have passed through the doors. Dance has given them joy, discipline, confidence and love. It stretches possibilities, allows dreams to come true!
So when I heard about gifted young dancer Perla Anthony, living in poverty in West Africa, and her dream to become a ballet teacher, my heart broke. Here was a girl with passion and talent, but with no access to high school let alone ballet lessons.
In 2016 I raised $2,300 to send Perla back to school. The campaign was called Promise with a Pirouette . Thanks to the generosity of the Australian dance community, she is currently in her final semester. A young woman empowered by education.
'I must tell you that being back to school is having half of my dreams accomplished. I am so excited and full of life returning back to school. Is like my hope is alive. I called it a miracle! This positive energy has helped my studies a lot.' - Perla Anthony
Perla’s advocate is her local church leader, Pastor Davids O’Keah. I have come to know Pastor Davids and his family as dear friends through this project. His work is tireless, far reaching, driven by hope for change.
'Perla's story connects with pains and frustrations prevailing in Nigeria. In the midst of frustrations one has to give hope and help people connect with the brighter side of life.
'Perla is an intelligent girl and can be a great ambassador for Nigeria, an ambassador of hope.' - Pastor Davids O'Keah
For over 1 year I have been sending filmed ballet lessons to Perla. Pastor Davids and his wife Rita helped Perla to facilitate holiday dance classes for the local children. My lessons were projected onto a large screen in their church hall. At the end of the holidays an emotionally charged concert was staged. I only wish I could have been there!
'The people here love to dance as dance gives them hope or they dance away their sorrow and pains. There are no organized ballet dance schools here. The people love ballet.' - Pastor Davids O'Keah
It is not going to be easy, we need $18,000 by January 2018 to make this a reality. The funds will cover –
*Return airfares Lagos to Melbourne $2,500
*Homestay accommodation, 1 year in Melbourne $13,000 . Homestay through Ozhomestay or similar organisation.
*Fares, pocket money for 1 year $2,000
*Student Visa, medical, sundry costs $500
Note -
All dance tuition costs, dancewear and related costs to be donated by me! (Josephine Woodberry, Brunswick School of Dance).
Formal academic teacher training facilitated and donated by Karen Malek (8 hours per week).
Dance schools create community. Ballet teachers educate the human spirit. Your gift will change lives.
'I see myself reaching out to others in Nigeria with ballet. The pains I go through everyday is not remembered anytime I step into my world of ballet.
'Please do not let my dream die.' - Perla Anthony
..................................................................................
Giving -
$50 buys a week of food at Perla's home stay.
$100 buys 10 weeks of internet access for Perla's studies.
$150 buys books and stationery for Perla's studies.
$200 buys 2 months of public transport fares.
$300 buys 1 week of home stay accomodation, all meals and private bedroom included.
$500 pays for Perla's Student Visa.
Want to give in other ways? Consider becoming Perla's host family for a minimum 2 month period. Donate by giving her free accomodation and meals in your home! (Applicable to people living in Northcote or surrounding suburbs).
.....................................................................................
To thank you for your donation you will recieve:
$50 - $100 Special 'Thank You' Fridge Magnet.
$101 - $500 As above plus 'Thank You' Certificate of Appreciation.
$501 - $1000+ As above plus performance tickets to see Perla dance at a BSOD Concert (travel and other expenses not included).
***Donate accomodation and receive all the above thank you gifts.
.....................................................................................
Authentication Documents -
My name is Josephine Woodberry. For 20 years I have run my ballet school, Brunswick School of Dance , in Melbourne Australia. Many beautiful children have passed through the doors. Dance has given them joy, discipline, confidence and love. It stretches possibilities, allows dreams to come true!
So when I heard about gifted young dancer Perla Anthony, living in poverty in West Africa, and her dream to become a ballet teacher, my heart broke. Here was a girl with passion and talent, but with no access to high school let alone ballet lessons.
In 2016 I raised $2,300 to send Perla back to school. The campaign was called Promise with a Pirouette . Thanks to the generosity of the Australian dance community, she is currently in her final semester. A young woman empowered by education.
'I must tell you that being back to school is having half of my dreams accomplished. I am so excited and full of life returning back to school. Is like my hope is alive. I called it a miracle! This positive energy has helped my studies a lot.' - Perla Anthony
Perla’s advocate is her local church leader, Pastor Davids O’Keah. I have come to know Pastor Davids and his family as dear friends through this project. His work is tireless, far reaching, driven by hope for change.
'Perla's story connects with pains and frustrations prevailing in Nigeria. In the midst of frustrations one has to give hope and help people connect with the brighter side of life.
'Perla is an intelligent girl and can be a great ambassador for Nigeria, an ambassador of hope.' - Pastor Davids O'Keah
For over 1 year I have been sending filmed ballet lessons to Perla. Pastor Davids and his wife Rita helped Perla to facilitate holiday dance classes for the local children. My lessons were projected onto a large screen in their church hall. At the end of the holidays an emotionally charged concert was staged. I only wish I could have been there!
'The people here love to dance as dance gives them hope or they dance away their sorrow and pains. There are no organized ballet dance schools here. The people love ballet.' - Pastor Davids O'Keah
It is not going to be easy, we need $18,000 by January 2018 to make this a reality. The funds will cover –
*Return airfares Lagos to Melbourne $2,500
*Homestay accommodation, 1 year in Melbourne $13,000 . Homestay through Ozhomestay or similar organisation.
*Fares, pocket money for 1 year $2,000
*Student Visa, medical, sundry costs $500
Note -
All dance tuition costs, dancewear and related costs to be donated by me! (Josephine Woodberry, Brunswick School of Dance).
Formal academic teacher training facilitated and donated by Karen Malek (8 hours per week).
Dance schools create community. Ballet teachers educate the human spirit. Your gift will change lives.
'I see myself reaching out to others in Nigeria with ballet. The pains I go through everyday is not remembered anytime I step into my world of ballet.
'Please do not let my dream die.' - Perla Anthony
..................................................................................
Giving -
$50 buys a week of food at Perla's home stay.
$100 buys 10 weeks of internet access for Perla's studies.
$150 buys books and stationery for Perla's studies.
$200 buys 2 months of public transport fares.
$300 buys 1 week of home stay accomodation, all meals and private bedroom included.
$500 pays for Perla's Student Visa.
Want to give in other ways? Consider becoming Perla's host family for a minimum 2 month period. Donate by giving her free accomodation and meals in your home! (Applicable to people living in Northcote or surrounding suburbs).
.....................................................................................
To thank you for your donation you will recieve:
$50 - $100 Special 'Thank You' Fridge Magnet.
$101 - $500 As above plus 'Thank You' Certificate of Appreciation.
$501 - $1000+ As above plus performance tickets to see Perla dance at a BSOD Concert (travel and other expenses not included).
***Donate accomodation and receive all the above thank you gifts.
.....................................................................................
Authentication Documents -
Organizer
Josephine Woodberry
Organizer
Thornbury, VIC