Project Overview

Passionate about becoming ambassadors of the arts, seven Juilliard students have initiated a community service project and arts education program in Botswana, Africa, called Project Maru-a-Pula. While in Botswana, the Juilliard students will work with children at the Maru-A-Pula (Setswanan for Promises of Blessings) School and the Mmanoko Village. Maru-A-Pula is an independent day & boarding secondary school in Gaborone, the capitol of Botswana. Mmanoko, situated between Gabarone and Molepolole, is a small village that maintains of a population of roughly 1,000 people; two hundred and eighty five of which are children currently in the only primary school.


The Project Maru-A-PulaTeam will teach dance and drama to children from both the Maru-a-Pula School and Mmanoko Village, more specifically the primary school. This program will culminate in a full-length performance, combining the talents of the Project Maru-A-PulaTeam and the children from both the Maru-A-Pula School and Mmanoko Village. Most importantly, the Project Maru-A-PulaTeam strives to demonstrate that there is opportunity for life, progress and success through creativity. We believe that by reaching out through love, humanity, respect and art, we can make an everlasting change.

The Project Maru-a-Pula Team

The Project Maru-a-Pula Team
L-R: Sekou, Carolyn, Hassan, Candace, LeBaron, Jehbreal, Julia and Kerry

Donations!

Donations!

Our team is asking for your help. We need your aid in making sure this project, designed to instill hope for a better tomorrow, comes to flourish. We believe that there is a tremendous opportunity for life, progress and success through creativity. Your gift, regardless of size, would be greatly appreciated. Your support will help us to encourage the next generation of leaders, inspire lives and rejuvenate souls. We thank you for your consideration and hope that you will join our family of supporters.


Checks may be made payable to:

Candace Feldman (memo Project MAP)

Please mail checks to:

The Juilliard School

c/o Candace Feldman

Concert Office

60 Lincoln Center Plaza

New York, NY 10023


Questions may be directed to LeBaron McClary (Project Coordinator) at lim@juilliard.edu

APG Global:The Light

APG Global:The Light
Just when you begin to feel like you're in the dark, a place where you can't see or hear anything, a place where all you want to do is give up, light shines in and blesses you with gifts, peace of mind and love. Click the picture or visit APG Global at www. theapgglobal.com

Depart for Gaborone Botswana

OUR INSPIRATION

There is no secret that in these economic times the first cut being made globally is arts education. The focus seems to be more on war, money and power rather than education, culture and peace. The arts have transformed into smoke, gradually disappearing in thin air. Losing its true purpose and value, the arts are beginning to fade away, robbing men, women and children of a very important outlet for self-expression. Without the arts, culture, history, creativity and most importantly, self-identity vanishes. We believe in order for the spirit and vitality of art to continue and reinvent itself within today’s youth, one must plant the seed for the mind to become curious of all the possibilities. Having a love for the arts and having the opportunity to experience the power of the arts, we trust that the arts can and does touch the spirit and heart in ways that positively affect the mind, body and soul of a person.


Without proper guidance, it is safe to say that a young and influential mind can drift anywhere the world takes it. The mind must be taught to focus and through the discipline of creative and fine arts, the mind is taught to focus in order to achieve a more productive and fulfilling life. We, the students of the Black Student Union, plan to do just that: plant the seed of inspiration and cultivate the minds of youth to become active leaders in their communities and, hopefully, in the arts.

THE NEED

Arts education is essential for instilling curiosity, creativity and spirited vitality within the minds of young people. It cleanses the soul, conveys truth, redefines success and eliminates the fear of failure. The arts provide balance and an expansive outlet for the mind, soul, and emotions. Our educational commitment brings these essential skills to the forefront of the student curriculum though creative lesson plans, active engagement, and community involvement. Working with faculty members and community leaders, we will introduce students to new forms of creative expression while ultimately incorporating their own unique culture into innovative performance projects. The students’ success will culminate in public performances celebrating their achievements.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A Blanket of Stars...

Our show's coming up and I'm really excited for the kids and for our team. We've put in a lot of hard work with the kids and they are definitely putting it right back into the show!

Last night we had a blackout on campus. Evidently since most of the power in the region is being used for the World Cup, there are frequent blackouts in the area. I personally love blackouts! I was in NYC for the Blackout of 2003 and it was one of the best nights of my life! It's a moment in which you have no other choice but to be still. So, I thought: "How much fun would it be in a blackout in Botswana?!" It only lasted about an hour or so...but the best part of it was being able to look up at the sky and for the first time be completely blanketed by stars. The sky in Botswana at night is like nothing I've ever seen before! Millions upon millions of stars, scattered diamonds across a charcoal sky. Some of them so bright you feel as if you could reach out and touch them!

How ironic that in this moment that I could only be still and stare up at the sky , could I truly appreciate the Setwana name the students in my Masks class gave me tonight. We've been told there is a lot of meaning in Setswanan names. That usually the person grows into their name or has natural traits that the name reflects.

As I gazed into the darkness all around me, and slowly raised my head to sky...I smiled. I was given the name Naledi...Setswanan for star.
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