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.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Purpose Transcends...

I woke up this morning thinking about the past couple weeks here at MAP. It has definitely been challenging, eye opening, and rewarding. One of the main questions that permeated throughout the press conference that we had with the Botswana press this past thursday was "why are you here ?". And our answers hovered around the fact that we are here to engage in a collaboration of the arts via drama and dance which are the principle disciplines being taught, in addition to rap, song and more. To build an international community that allows us to express our artistic passion to the world. Sumtin like dat! Yet as I get more detailed in my thinking as it relates to what has transpired since arriving on what we call the Motherland, there are moments worth paying attention to that speak even more in depth to the value of this trek. It is the conversation that I had with two young women (who's name I won't mention) about contemplating their lives and how to navigate through it with wisdom, that resignates. Both of them hanging in the balances between honouring there parents and what they believe is best for their lives and fighting to engage and cultivate that artistic urge that speaks to their calling in life. What does one do when tradition is so overbearing that you find yourself in bondage to a mode of thinking that is in contradiction to what you know or at least strongly believe you were born to do. How do you take ownership of your destiny even when it means you may have to abandon the comfort of support, the intimacy of relationships, or the security of your homeland. These are the questions I am being asked and I can't answer with "you have to identify the protagonist of the play" or " you have to use different tactics to get beyond your obstacles". Naw not dis time, dis real life; dis ain't no play. Now I have to share some life experience. I have to speak from my heart and share my best self, cause now this is the difference between life and death. Oh I know we don't want to make it that deep but it is! Now i'm wearing the hat of a role model. These two precious souls have gained enough trust in me to give me a say in what they might do with the rest of their life. I've seen it happen time and again. The entrusting of someones opinion about what the next step should be. Bad advice or maybe just ignorance leading to the mentees temporary derailment as well good instruction being the catalyst to a journey of fulfillment. Truth be told there are many times when I try to avoid the notion that my responsibility to others require more than skilled teaching in a classroom but I can't because "it is what it is".

So now I revisit the "thru line" question of the Botswana press conference with a more insightful understanding that really answers the question. By virtue of the name of the school "Maru-a-pula" we have engaged this opportunity to offer "Promises of Blessings". A life's purpose transcends everything we are doing! So in this last week it may do us some good to pay attention to that conversation that takes place right after a class or when we are on our way to bed because of exhaustion and a student has something pressing to share because our investment in them gave them confidence to open up. One thing I have learned is that those life changing moments where purpose is further realized very rarely take place within the convenience of our set schedules. Or maybe dats jus me... Carpedium!

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1 comment:

  1. Melinda WeekesJune 13, 2010 at 9:12 PM

    I love it! Thanks so much for sharing this side of the trip, of yourself, of this amazing journey. You are clearly a blessing promised to your students, and obviously, they are blessing you as well. And....eh....I TOLDJA:

    MINISTRY!!!!!

    Yes, "it is what it is....and IT IS!!"

    LOLOL ;-))

    ReplyDelete

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