We couldn’t have asked for more. Great weather, a good turnout, tons of jewelry to choose from and a warm and lively atmosphere. Spring Bling was such a success that we plan to hold it again next year.

 

Thanks is due to our Board members who worked tirelessly to sort, polish and display the jewelry, to our volunteers who helped us from beginning to end, to our donors who gave us the jewelry to sell, and finally to all the people that came to our fundraiser.

 

This quilt was made by the children of Stand Tall and assembled in Vancouver by Claudie Azoulai. Each square was designed by one child and then printed and stitched by them. Thank you, Claudie for assembling the quilt in such a marvelous way. We think we have a masterpiece on our hands. This quilt/wall hanging will be auctioned off at the Spring Bling jewelry fundraiser on April 14 & 15, 2012. 

We have a new partner!

Our first group of students will be graduating at the end of November and we have been asking ourselves “and then what?. We want to help these children go to the next stage – either to secondary school or vocational school and our concern has been how to provide for our graduates in a systematic and responsible way without eroding our commitment to Stand Tall and all that that entails. And as so often happens, our prayers have been answered and a solution is in the making.

 

Janice Garrett of Garrett-Moulton Productions, in Oakland, California (http://garrettmoulton.org/) and our most recent volunteer at Stand Tall has stepped up to the plate and volunteered to run the management of the sponsorship program. Our two organizations will be working together to raise funds for the continuing education of our children, to monitor the program and to network with the schools and the sponsors on the progress of each individual student.  Janice is an extremely capable and dedicated individual and we feel very, very lucky to have her on board. We’ll have full details about this new venture in the next few months. We’re so excited to know that our best students will have the opportunity to continue their education.

 

We’ve got an exciting project developing between our Stand Tall upper level students in Kampala, Uganda and their counterparts in Vancouver, Canada. Originally proposed by some of the Board members of Rose Charities, the idea consists of integrating youth on two continents; our African youth at Stand Tall who will be creating one of a kind, hand-painted t-shirts, and our youth in Canada who will market the products through their schools and on their social networking sites.

 

In October 2011, a group of talented young people from the Bavubuka organization in Kampala volunteered their time to work with the children at Stand Tall. They introduced our children to b-boy and b-girl dance moves, they spoke about rap and hip-hop and how one can use the rap form to express oneself in a positive and creative manner, and they talked about visual art and its practical application to the market place.  It was a week of workshops that energized and stimulated the participants and opened them up to new ways of thinking and doing.

 

One of the workshops, taught by Szanie, a young Ugandan artist, concentrated on t-shirt art and our students had the opportunity to make their own t-shirts. We bought used t-shirts from the street market and got some paint donated and the kids were encouraged to apply their own designs in a free form and unrestricted context. The results were posted on Facebook and the response to the children’s work has been very encouraging.  Encouraging enough, in fact, to catch the attention of some of the members of Rose Charities who have proposed taking the idea further.

Our intention is to make more t-shirts in Uganda, send them to Canada, involve interested youth here in marketing them and promoting our cause.  Some of the children of Rose Charities Board members are already fired up and ready to go. We love so many aspects of this project – so much learning will take place on both ends. What can be more valuable than creating and seeing a small business plan through from start to finish? It teaches time management, budgeting, planning, craftsmanship, marketing, publicity and promotion. It builds confidence, self-respect and creates an equal and progressive partnership between our youth. It’s a win-win for all involved.

 

We need to purchase a bunch of clean new t-shirts to work with, some fabric paint, brushes and we would like to give a small honorarium to our vocational trainer at Stand Tall who will be running this project.  Any help you can give us to get these start-up costs met would be wonderful.  All donations over $20 get a tax receipt.

Check out the many convenient ways to donate:

http://standtalleducation.com/donate/donation-alternatives/

Michele Lilyanna, teacher extraordinaire of Roberts Creek Elementary on the Sunshine Coast, organized a toy drive for the whole school with proceeds going to Stand Tall. Her grade six class first learned all about Uganda and some of the challenges found there and then the children decided as a group to raise and donate funds to Stand Tall Training Centre.  The toy drive, held on Dec. 12, raised more than $600 and was a resounding success. Tables full of gently used toys and books were  manned by the students and each class in the school came to see the goods and buy the wares. The children decided where to direct the funds that were raised and this is what they decided:

buying a much needed hospital cot for students to lie on when they are not feeling well  *  donating $2.00 to each Stand Tall student’s savings account  * providing food at the school for two days  *  buying flip flops for each child in the school to help prevent jiggers

Stand Tall has been given a very important opportunity to showcase and sell their products. The International Women’s Christmas Bazaar at Kabira in Kampala has included our school in this very popular bazaar and our kids will participate in the making of products, setting up their space, and talking about, promoting and selling their wares. At Stand Tall we know that that these entrepreneurial skills are key to the success of our students. Special thanks to Philip Mujubi, our vocational trainer, who managed to produce so much in such a short time. The results are impressive and we never cease to marvel at the talent and enthusiasm of these learners.

Donations come in all sizes and shapes. At Stand Tall we have had many donors donate their time, their expertise and their energy. CHRIS BENSTEAD, a world traveller, renowned musician and all around amazing guy, recently worked with choreographer JANICE GARRETT on body percussion, ball passing and group dance movements. That would have been plenty but he also chose to donate a range of beautiful, traditional instruments to add to our music, dance and drama program. The children already rock but now there’s no stopping them.

 

 

 

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” Martin Luther King

 

OUR CHILDREN SPEAK….

DOROTHY

“We have computers at our school and everyone have a chair. We have chicks. Our teachers loves us and we love them and I love the music which the new volunteers they teach us, and we are improving in our skills of understanding. I thank the teachers for the good care they have given us, and Madame Nicole for building us a school.”

 

 

 

ROBERT

“Since I entered this school, I have seen many changes in my life. I came when I didn’t know anything but through Stand Tall and my teachers, I have learned many things like computer, crafts, keeping hens, and class work. I came when I was not proud of myself but through my teachers, I got what I wanted in me. And through Stand Tall, I expect a bright future in my life.”

 

 

 

OUR NEW LOGO was created by graphic designer Ria Sulistyowati from Vancouver. We hope you like it as much as we do. Ria enjoys working for non-profits (yay Ria!). If you want more information, contact us at Stand Tall and we’ll be happy to oblige.

 

 

Volunteers enhance and advance our programs at Stand Tall. This month we thank and appreciate…

Janice Garrett co-artistic director of Garrett + Moulton Productions, garrettmoulton.org, a renowned modern dance company based in San Francisco, and Chris Benstead, musicfordance.net, an extremely gifted musician and facilitator who has worked with young people around the world.They have been working with the whole school during the month of October. Rhythmic exercises, ball passing techniques and dance choreography all set to Chris’s original scores have not only delighted the children but have developed coordination and concentration in a very short period of time. Janice shares her experience in a beautiful letter – more at  http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/662048/0ea3de0768/1492507529/87cbbc9dcc/

“Tap your head, rub your belly, bend your knees, stomp your feet and sing”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bavubuka Foundation comes to Stand Tall What a treat for our kids to have the young and very talented volunteers from Bavubuka Foundation, bavubuka.org, workshop with our kids. Gilbert, photographer and journalist; Nelly-sade, rapper; Saul, B-boy dancer; Szanie, artist; Kasozi, clothing designer,visited Stand Tall and inspired our kids with their fresh approach, and creative ideas.

Hello children of Roberts Creek Elementary in British Columbia

We love our bracelets, our pen pal letters and your teacher Michele Lilyanna! Thank you

 

NEW DEVELOPMENTS AT STAND TALL

An official welcome to Philip, vocational trainer, and Abdul, music, dance and drama teacher. We are thrilled to have them with us.

 

Fighting those frequent brown outs – we’re buying a generator. The new term will offer daily computer classes, unlimited access to internet and that very much needed generator. We’re determined to impart those precious computer skills to each and every child.

Parents and Students Meeting Our questionnaire yielded the following results:  parents and students alike want access to a secondary school education; they also all want computer skills, as well as vocational training and there was praise for our emphasis on the visual and performing arts. We got a thumbs up from everyone on our performance to date. Parents have noticed a great improvement in their children and so have we. Our goal? Success, nothing less.

COCKS TO MARKET

Sorry roosters but you’re being packaged and sold for christmas dinners. You’re big, tasty and the proceeds from you will go to benefit Stand Tall programs.

Hens, you get to stay!

 

IT’S GETTING CRAMPED IN HERE

Patrick, our engineer will be building three large storage rooms to house our ever increasing supply of art supplies, costumes and musical instruments.

VISIT FROM GENESIS SCHOOLS IN TANZANIA

Thanks to Philip for arranging this meeting between Stand Tall and Genesis International Schools in Tanzania. They had a lot of questions for each other. They looked, they listened and both groups learned a lot about each others’ very different lives.

first meeting

 

Rising inflation has taken its toll; food prices, gas prices and other commodities have spiralled. We have had to add an additional porridge meal in the early morning to prevent exhaustion from hunger

Our Program needs your continued support.

We don’t use your money for trips overseas; we never pay ourselves, and our expense account?? Just 000000.

Your money goes where it is needed. Always. Guaranteed.

like us on Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stand Tall is buzzing with activity and the kids are developing their skills in all areas – from the creative arts to vocational skills, from computer prowess to reading clubs – we are doing it all. Here’s a snapshot.

PARENTS’ DAY FILLED TO CAPACITY

Our first Parents’ Day was a huge success with our Hall filled to capacity with parents and other members of the community. The children demonstrated the 4 C’s

Confidence

Courage

Curiosity

Competence

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPORTS WEEK ***STAND TALL GIRLS TAKE IT ALL!

The Stand Tall Girls’ Team surprised everyone by winning it all at their first ever Kira area Sports Week.

Not to mention the boys who tied last year’s champions in netball and soccer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

We can’t say it enough – our sponsors and supporters enable us to implement innovative programming and ongoing teacher training. It’s what makes us special and unique and we couldn’t do it without you.

TO

ODLUM BROWN

For choosing Stand Tall Education as their featured charity for two years in a row at the Van Open tennis tournament. We loved the tennis too!

 

 

Lynn McGown and Michael Pratt of Celtic Traditions in Vancouver donated the ticket proceeds of their student concert to Stand Tall Education for the second year in a row! We not only appreciate and thank them for their contribution but we also encourage you to visit their website at: http://celtictraditions.ca/ because there you will find the information you need to get started on your own music and/or voice lessons. They and their talented group of instructors teach everything celtic from fiddle to harp to freeing your voice and singing your heart.

 

UNIVERSAL AIDE

Sent a container full of goodies to Stand Tall including, desks, sewing machines, sports uniforms, vocational supplies, and clothing. Christmas in June anybody?

 

Merlie Sarmiento and family held a very successful garage sale in Montreal with all proceeds going to benefit Stand Tall. How very generous and thoughtful!

 

 

WE HAVE OUR NEW SIGN

and our new motto, NEVER GIVE UP,

and our children are the ones who painted it.

We want our kids to learn as many skills as possible and we use every opportunity to train them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR NEWEST VOLUNTEER COMING TO STAND TALL IN OCTOBER

 

 

 

 

 

Janice Garrett is an internationally known dance choreographer and educator. She will be working with the whole school on a dance project. We’re so thrilled to have her! More news and photos in the next newsletter.

 

 

 

BABY ELSON

joins the Stand Tall Team. She is the first daughter of our Administrative Assistant, Esther Rose,  at Stand Tall. Congratulations on bringing such a beautiful baby girl into our world.

What a sugar!