Promise with a Pirouette
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Promise with a Pirouette
A Future for Perla
‘I love ballet dancing … My dream is to be a professional ballet dancer and teacher. My dream is to attend a professional ballet school …’ – Perla Anthony
My name is Josephine Woodberry, I'm a ballet teacher in Melbourne, Australia. These words were part of a letter I received in May 2016 from sixteen-year-old Perla who lives in Nigeria. Her only encounter with ballet was three years ago, watching Barbie cartoons at her friend’s house.
Unfortunately there are no ballet schools in Nigeria. Ever since, Perla has been making up her own 'ballet' based on what she saw that day. I believe she possesses a natural gift – she is literally born to dance and not much will stop her!
‘I loved the way they point their toes, their heads straight and their hands portraying the beauty of the dance. I am naturally and physically fit … I developed in a way I could not imagine just by watching Barbie girls do it.’
The next part of her letter explains why Perla has had to put her dreams away.
‘I am coming from a family of six children and I am the fourth child. Things went really bad for my family the past four years. Things went really bad for my family when my dad lost his business due to bad economy. My dad sold his house to pay bank loans and other debts. There is no social support system in Nigeria.’
Life is not fair
I learnt that in Nigeria, where Perla lives with her family of eight in a concrete room with a kitchen and a toilet, everyday life is difficult. Beyond the struggles of basic existence, the electricity supply is erratic. Education is not free. Internet access is costly. Meals are irregular.
While Perla has completed her primary education and begun secondary studies, she has had to drop out last year because her parents couldn’t pay her school fees and examination fees.
Which means ballet lessons are beyond – way beyond – Perla’s family’s reach.
A light from afar
I recieved Perla's letter through Pastor Davids, a local church minister Perla’s family has known since 2010. He contacted me because, aside from my Melbourne ballet studio which has been running for two decades, I recently started an Online Ballet Studio to help children who live in isolated communities enjoy the magic and beauty of dance. As a country kid myself, I know firsthand the transformative power of dance.
My hope is to afford a little window into a life of dance for Perla through through my program. This is a video of me!
Dance has changed my life, and I know it will keep changing the lives of many other children around the world.
When Pastor Davids found my website and asked if I could do anything for Perla, I couldn't ignore him. I set up free access to the program instantly and sent Perla a pair of ballet shoes. A mum at my ballet school donated a tablet for Perla to watch the lessons on.
True passion
Perla's first practice session lasted for three hours as she intensely scrutinized every detail. Here is some footage of Perla's impromptu dancing, taken by Pastor Davids. Perla has not had any lessons outside of the Online Ballet Studio.
Since our first contact, my studio has undertaken to send Pastor David regular lessons for Perla. Every month we send the latest filmed lesson so she can dance along with us.
Friendship through dance
Pastor David's daughter has befriended Perla and they enjoy doing the lessons together. Pastor David then sends little clips of the girls dancing to me for feedback and correction. He wrote to me:
'Perla came to my house yesterday for the first practice session that lasted for three hours. I am just trying to express my findings, she loves to dance. She will watch and practice and watch and practice.
'One interesting thing that Perla's story is doing to my eleven-year-old daughter is that we were living in South Africa from 2005 till 2010 and then moved back to Nigeria in May 2010. In South Africa my daughter was 5years and was already in love with ballet dancing and attending ballet classes.
'As we moved back to Nigeria things were not and are not the same here, my daughter's joy was shortlived, no more ballet again. Once in a while she will put on her stuff and do some dancing on her own but her dream was like dying.
'As Perla started her lessons, she could not wait but pick up her stuffs and got attached to Perla, in fact they watch the videos and train together. Perla and my daughter were training together on Monday. They have started bonding. You may not believe what positive change you are bringing.
'As a father I cry when I see dreams and talents die.'
What we want to do with the money
We want to raise a minimum of AU$2000 so that Perla can at least complete Year 11 high school in Nigeria.
Time is critical, as her school term begins in September 2016.
There are so many more possibilities for Perla, but for now we need to get her back to school.
Nigerian Year 11 Cost Breakdown:
First Term September 2016 till December 2016
School Fees US$170
Books US$80
Uniform US$120
Shoes US$70
Transportation US$80
Snacks and Drinks US$60
Total Cost First Term US$580
Second Term January 2017 till April 2017
School Fees US$170
Books US$50
Transportation US$80
Snacks and Drinks US$60
Total Cost Second Term US$360
Third Term April 2017 till July 2017
School Fees US$170
Books US$50
Transportation US$80
Snacks and Drinks US$60
National Examination Fees (WASC and GCE) US$160
Total Cost Third and Final Term US$520
TOTAL (3 terms) US$1460 (AUD $2000)
Donation Rewards
AU$2–$14
· A thank you on the Future for Perla Facebook Page, where you can catch up with Perla updates.
AU$15–$24
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a token of our appreciation.
· Supporter also recieve a thank you on the Future for Perla Facebook Page, where you can catch up with Perla updates.
AU$25–$50
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a token of our appreciation.
· Supporter also recieve a thank you on the Future for Perla Facebook Page, where you can catch up with Perla updates.
AU$50–$99
· A certificate of gratitude for donating to the Future for Perla Fund.
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a small token of our appreciation.
· You will be listed as an official supporter on the Future for Perla Facebook Page.
AU$100–$199
· 6 months' free access to the Online Ballet Studio's lessons for a child of your choice.
· A certificate of gratitude for donating to the Future for Perla Fund.
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a small token of our appreciation.
· You will be listed as an official supporter on the Future for Perla Facebook Page.
AUD $200+
· A pair of free tickets to the end-of-year BSOD senior concert, held in Melbourne in December, to receive our grateful thanks in person! (Costs of getting to the concert venue are not the responsibility of BSOD.)
· 6 months' free access to the Online Ballet Studio's lessons for a child of your choice.
· A certificate of gratitude for donating to the Future for Perla Fund.
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a small token of our appreciation.
· You will be listed as an official supporter on the Future for Perla Facebook Page.
Read Perla’s letter in full
'I am Perla, 16 years old and from Delta State of Nigeria. I did my primary education and started secondary education but dropped out of secondary school my last year due to the inability of my parents to pay my last school year's fees and examination fees. Education is not free in Nigeria. Life is not fair.
'I am coming from a family of six children and I am the fourth child. Things went really bad for my family the past four years. Things went really bad for my family when my dad lost his business due to bad economy. My dad sold his house to pay bank loans and other debts. There is no social support system in Nigeria.
'Right now we are living in my dad friend's house. Eight people in a room and toilet and kitchen house.
'I am at home at the moment, no school and no job situation. The only thing left for me is dancing. I love to dance and read. This is the only thing left for me.
'I love ballet dancing. I developed my love for ballet dancing when I was 13 years. I saw ballet dancing the first time as I went to watch Barbie cartoons in my friend's house. This was how I came to know ballet dancing. So I started picking the steps one after the other. I loved the ways they point their toes, their heads straight and their hands portraying the beauty of the dance. I am naturally and physically fit even though my meals are not balanced. I developed in a way I could not imagine just by watching Barbie girls do it.
'I have never attended a ballet school before and there is none in the state where I am living with my parents presently called Rivers State. My dream is to be a professional ballet dancer and teacher. My dream is to attend a professional ballet school and live my dream.
'My encounter with Pastor Davids is how I came to know you and know that there is an online ballet school in a country called Australia. I am happy knowing you, Madam Josephine, through my Pastor and would be happy to achieve my dreams and this relationship develops. My Pastor is my life coach and guidance.
'I love you and I love to dance.
Perla'
And finally...
The desparate situation in Nigeria has unfortunately resulted in many false calls for help in recent times. Therefore, the Online Ballet Studio has taken great care to validate the ligitimacy of all involved in this story. Please refer below for documents of proof.
A Future for Perla
‘I love ballet dancing … My dream is to be a professional ballet dancer and teacher. My dream is to attend a professional ballet school …’ – Perla Anthony
My name is Josephine Woodberry, I'm a ballet teacher in Melbourne, Australia. These words were part of a letter I received in May 2016 from sixteen-year-old Perla who lives in Nigeria. Her only encounter with ballet was three years ago, watching Barbie cartoons at her friend’s house.
Unfortunately there are no ballet schools in Nigeria. Ever since, Perla has been making up her own 'ballet' based on what she saw that day. I believe she possesses a natural gift – she is literally born to dance and not much will stop her!
‘I loved the way they point their toes, their heads straight and their hands portraying the beauty of the dance. I am naturally and physically fit … I developed in a way I could not imagine just by watching Barbie girls do it.’
The next part of her letter explains why Perla has had to put her dreams away.
‘I am coming from a family of six children and I am the fourth child. Things went really bad for my family the past four years. Things went really bad for my family when my dad lost his business due to bad economy. My dad sold his house to pay bank loans and other debts. There is no social support system in Nigeria.’
Life is not fair
I learnt that in Nigeria, where Perla lives with her family of eight in a concrete room with a kitchen and a toilet, everyday life is difficult. Beyond the struggles of basic existence, the electricity supply is erratic. Education is not free. Internet access is costly. Meals are irregular.
While Perla has completed her primary education and begun secondary studies, she has had to drop out last year because her parents couldn’t pay her school fees and examination fees.
Which means ballet lessons are beyond – way beyond – Perla’s family’s reach.
A light from afar
I recieved Perla's letter through Pastor Davids, a local church minister Perla’s family has known since 2010. He contacted me because, aside from my Melbourne ballet studio which has been running for two decades, I recently started an Online Ballet Studio to help children who live in isolated communities enjoy the magic and beauty of dance. As a country kid myself, I know firsthand the transformative power of dance.
My hope is to afford a little window into a life of dance for Perla through through my program. This is a video of me!
Dance has changed my life, and I know it will keep changing the lives of many other children around the world.
When Pastor Davids found my website and asked if I could do anything for Perla, I couldn't ignore him. I set up free access to the program instantly and sent Perla a pair of ballet shoes. A mum at my ballet school donated a tablet for Perla to watch the lessons on.
True passion
Perla's first practice session lasted for three hours as she intensely scrutinized every detail. Here is some footage of Perla's impromptu dancing, taken by Pastor Davids. Perla has not had any lessons outside of the Online Ballet Studio.
Since our first contact, my studio has undertaken to send Pastor David regular lessons for Perla. Every month we send the latest filmed lesson so she can dance along with us.
Friendship through dance
Pastor David's daughter has befriended Perla and they enjoy doing the lessons together. Pastor David then sends little clips of the girls dancing to me for feedback and correction. He wrote to me:
'Perla came to my house yesterday for the first practice session that lasted for three hours. I am just trying to express my findings, she loves to dance. She will watch and practice and watch and practice.
'One interesting thing that Perla's story is doing to my eleven-year-old daughter is that we were living in South Africa from 2005 till 2010 and then moved back to Nigeria in May 2010. In South Africa my daughter was 5years and was already in love with ballet dancing and attending ballet classes.
'As we moved back to Nigeria things were not and are not the same here, my daughter's joy was shortlived, no more ballet again. Once in a while she will put on her stuff and do some dancing on her own but her dream was like dying.
'As Perla started her lessons, she could not wait but pick up her stuffs and got attached to Perla, in fact they watch the videos and train together. Perla and my daughter were training together on Monday. They have started bonding. You may not believe what positive change you are bringing.
'As a father I cry when I see dreams and talents die.'
What we want to do with the money
We want to raise a minimum of AU$2000 so that Perla can at least complete Year 11 high school in Nigeria.
Time is critical, as her school term begins in September 2016.
There are so many more possibilities for Perla, but for now we need to get her back to school.
Nigerian Year 11 Cost Breakdown:
First Term September 2016 till December 2016
School Fees US$170
Books US$80
Uniform US$120
Shoes US$70
Transportation US$80
Snacks and Drinks US$60
Total Cost First Term US$580
Second Term January 2017 till April 2017
School Fees US$170
Books US$50
Transportation US$80
Snacks and Drinks US$60
Total Cost Second Term US$360
Third Term April 2017 till July 2017
School Fees US$170
Books US$50
Transportation US$80
Snacks and Drinks US$60
National Examination Fees (WASC and GCE) US$160
Total Cost Third and Final Term US$520
TOTAL (3 terms) US$1460 (AUD $2000)
Donation Rewards
AU$2–$14
· A thank you on the Future for Perla Facebook Page, where you can catch up with Perla updates.
AU$15–$24
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a token of our appreciation.
· Supporter also recieve a thank you on the Future for Perla Facebook Page, where you can catch up with Perla updates.
AU$25–$50
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a token of our appreciation.
· Supporter also recieve a thank you on the Future for Perla Facebook Page, where you can catch up with Perla updates.
AU$50–$99
· A certificate of gratitude for donating to the Future for Perla Fund.
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a small token of our appreciation.
· You will be listed as an official supporter on the Future for Perla Facebook Page.
AU$100–$199
· 6 months' free access to the Online Ballet Studio's lessons for a child of your choice.
· A certificate of gratitude for donating to the Future for Perla Fund.
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a small token of our appreciation.
· You will be listed as an official supporter on the Future for Perla Facebook Page.
AUD $200+
· A pair of free tickets to the end-of-year BSOD senior concert, held in Melbourne in December, to receive our grateful thanks in person! (Costs of getting to the concert venue are not the responsibility of BSOD.)
· 6 months' free access to the Online Ballet Studio's lessons for a child of your choice.
· A certificate of gratitude for donating to the Future for Perla Fund.
· A personalised thank you email from Perla.
· A BSOD 'thank you' magnet as a small token of our appreciation.
· You will be listed as an official supporter on the Future for Perla Facebook Page.
Read Perla’s letter in full
'I am Perla, 16 years old and from Delta State of Nigeria. I did my primary education and started secondary education but dropped out of secondary school my last year due to the inability of my parents to pay my last school year's fees and examination fees. Education is not free in Nigeria. Life is not fair.
'I am coming from a family of six children and I am the fourth child. Things went really bad for my family the past four years. Things went really bad for my family when my dad lost his business due to bad economy. My dad sold his house to pay bank loans and other debts. There is no social support system in Nigeria.
'Right now we are living in my dad friend's house. Eight people in a room and toilet and kitchen house.
'I am at home at the moment, no school and no job situation. The only thing left for me is dancing. I love to dance and read. This is the only thing left for me.
'I love ballet dancing. I developed my love for ballet dancing when I was 13 years. I saw ballet dancing the first time as I went to watch Barbie cartoons in my friend's house. This was how I came to know ballet dancing. So I started picking the steps one after the other. I loved the ways they point their toes, their heads straight and their hands portraying the beauty of the dance. I am naturally and physically fit even though my meals are not balanced. I developed in a way I could not imagine just by watching Barbie girls do it.
'I have never attended a ballet school before and there is none in the state where I am living with my parents presently called Rivers State. My dream is to be a professional ballet dancer and teacher. My dream is to attend a professional ballet school and live my dream.
'My encounter with Pastor Davids is how I came to know you and know that there is an online ballet school in a country called Australia. I am happy knowing you, Madam Josephine, through my Pastor and would be happy to achieve my dreams and this relationship develops. My Pastor is my life coach and guidance.
'I love you and I love to dance.
Perla'
And finally...
The desparate situation in Nigeria has unfortunately resulted in many false calls for help in recent times. Therefore, the Online Ballet Studio has taken great care to validate the ligitimacy of all involved in this story. Please refer below for documents of proof.
Organizer
Josephine Woodberry
Organizer
Thornbury, VIC