Drumming Up From Poverty(NGO)
Kweku singing with children
The acquisition of land in the countryside where youth from the surrounding community can gain exposure to drum-making and the drumming arts, where youth from Accra's Art Center can experience a more focused and relaxed environment, and where cultural exchange can occur between Ghanaian youth and international guests Completed
In addition to Accra's drum workshop, Kweku has long dreamed of establishing an independent drumming arts center away from the city's hectic environment. Here he can provide the Art Center's youth with a more peaceful and recreational setting where they can learn and play, teach drumming arts to youth of a particular community, and provide a place for cultural exchange. For the past three years, he has explored land along the coast west of Accra. A particular area called Senya Beraku caught his attention, as it is an impoverished fishing and farming community with many children in need of attention and cultural education. The community also has a chief and clan of elders who support new initiatives that aim to develop their youth. Through meetings with the chief and his secretary in which Kweku presented his vision, an arrangement was made that granted DUFP an acre of land on the coast within walking distance of the community's center at a discounted price. This property transaction has been finalized in a land agreement that specifies regular payment installments and requires the donation of a Fotonfrom drum set to the community, a large family of drums and percussive instruments that accompany traditional rituals. Since January of 2012, several payments have been made, and DUFP is now developing the land and has cleared the brush, built a block border, planted 8 mango trees, constructed a small housing unit, built a temporary bore hole for water storage, and created a sign for the road. We're on our way!
Phase I: Preparation of the project and the property into (A) an operational NGO drumming arts facility and (B) an international cultural exchange center
Part A Preparation of organization and property
Step 1: Submission of NGO application APPROVED!
Step 2: Constructing a low wall to demarcate and protect the property Completed
Between February and March of 2012, a cement block fence was constructed around the property at the cost of $3000
(including materials, labor, and transportation).
Step 3: Building a small room on the property for storage and security purposes Completed
A $1000 loan was secured for the priority goal of providing the property with a place for storage of materials and for the maintenance and protection of the lot as it develops. A solid and expertly build one-room structure with windows and a corrugated roof has been completed onsite.
Needed Funding: $1000 to payback the loan. Complete
Step 4: Securing a van to facilitate the transport of construction and drum-making materials to Senya Beraku
Needed Funding or Donation: $15000 for a well-functioning used van in Ghana or vehicle donation from the US (shipping fees for a van from the US approximately $2500) In process
Step 5: Hiring an architect to draw up a plan for the property including enclosed workshop areas, summer huts for shade, a stage and a garden area In process
Needed Funding: To be determined
Step 6: Constructing at least one deep-water well to provide water initially for the construction workers and eventually for the drumming art center's participants. COMPLETED
Needed Funding: $2500 is cost of one well (including materials, labor and transportation) Completed
Part B Establish ongoing partnership with new SunFlower Beach Guest House on land next to Kweku's lot. Completed
A relationship between DUFP and SunFlower Beach is well under way. Collaboration began through informal conversations during Kweku's many visits to the property. Over time, more formal meetings took place during which Kweku and the SunFlower Beach team had the opportunity to share their visions and goals. A recent kick-off drum and dance performance by DUFP's youth hosted by the guest house, along with a visit by some of the SunFlower Beach owners to the drum workshop in Accra, have officially launched the partnership. Kweku and the SunFlower team look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship as international visitors will have a first-rate place to stay and as the guest house gains visibility in the surrounding community and abroad.
Phase II: Execution of the plan for property development
Needed Funding: To be determined
Additional Priority Support Needed:
Acquiring Board of Directors (including people with expertise in the following areas: legal, financial, architectural, IT, grant-writing, marketing, organizational development, youth service and the arts)
Seeking bulk drum sales in the US; possibilities include selling to universities, schools, community recreation centers, churches, retail and fair trade stores... etc.
Promoting DUFP trips to Ghana in which international visitors experience first-hand DUFP's work at Accra's Art Center and Senya Beraku, gain personal exposure to the drumming arts and Ghanaian culture, and interact with its vibrant youth
Creating an interactive international website that exposes people to DUFP's mission, programs and youth
Helping arrange an initial DUFP exchange in which 3-4 Art Center youth can visit the US to perform, raise funds and promote awareness of DUFP's work
* Buying a drum,instrument,or any handmade product from Kweku's Ghana market.
* Taking drumming, dancing and drum building classes with Kristen and Kweku, or organizing a drum circle, drum party, or Kids drum class for them to teach.
* Joining our next Ghana tour, scheduled for 2016.
* Pre-ordering a drum for Kweku to create with the children when he returns to Ghana.
* Offering assistance in organizational development, obtaining Fair Trade status, or building a website.
* Volunteering services such as graphic design, letter and grant writing, and publicity
In addition to Accra's drum workshop, Kweku has long dreamed of establishing an independent drumming arts center away from the city's hectic environment. Here he can provide the Art Center's youth with a more peaceful and recreational setting where they can learn and play, teach drumming arts to youth of a particular community, and provide a place for cultural exchange. For the past three years, he has explored land along the coast west of Accra. A particular area called Senya Beraku caught his attention, as it is an impoverished fishing and farming community with many children in need of attention and cultural education. The community also has a chief and clan of elders who support new initiatives that aim to develop their youth. Through meetings with the chief and his secretary in which Kweku presented his vision, an arrangement was made that granted DUFP an acre of land on the coast within walking distance of the community's center at a discounted price. This property transaction has been finalized in a land agreement that specifies regular payment installments and requires the donation of a Fotonfrom drum set to the community, a large family of drums and percussive instruments that accompany traditional rituals. Since January of 2012, several payments have been made, and DUFP is now developing the land and has cleared the brush, built a block border, planted 8 mango trees, constructed a small housing unit, built a temporary bore hole for water storage, and created a sign for the road. We're on our way!
Phase I: Preparation of the project and the property into (A) an operational NGO drumming arts facility and (B) an international cultural exchange center
Part A Preparation of organization and property
Step 1: Submission of NGO application APPROVED!
Step 2: Constructing a low wall to demarcate and protect the property Completed
Between February and March of 2012, a cement block fence was constructed around the property at the cost of $3000
(including materials, labor, and transportation).
Step 3: Building a small room on the property for storage and security purposes Completed
A $1000 loan was secured for the priority goal of providing the property with a place for storage of materials and for the maintenance and protection of the lot as it develops. A solid and expertly build one-room structure with windows and a corrugated roof has been completed onsite.
Needed Funding: $1000 to payback the loan. Complete
Step 4: Securing a van to facilitate the transport of construction and drum-making materials to Senya Beraku
Needed Funding or Donation: $15000 for a well-functioning used van in Ghana or vehicle donation from the US (shipping fees for a van from the US approximately $2500) In process
Step 5: Hiring an architect to draw up a plan for the property including enclosed workshop areas, summer huts for shade, a stage and a garden area In process
Needed Funding: To be determined
Step 6: Constructing at least one deep-water well to provide water initially for the construction workers and eventually for the drumming art center's participants. COMPLETED
Needed Funding: $2500 is cost of one well (including materials, labor and transportation) Completed
Part B Establish ongoing partnership with new SunFlower Beach Guest House on land next to Kweku's lot. Completed
A relationship between DUFP and SunFlower Beach is well under way. Collaboration began through informal conversations during Kweku's many visits to the property. Over time, more formal meetings took place during which Kweku and the SunFlower Beach team had the opportunity to share their visions and goals. A recent kick-off drum and dance performance by DUFP's youth hosted by the guest house, along with a visit by some of the SunFlower Beach owners to the drum workshop in Accra, have officially launched the partnership. Kweku and the SunFlower team look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship as international visitors will have a first-rate place to stay and as the guest house gains visibility in the surrounding community and abroad.
Phase II: Execution of the plan for property development
Needed Funding: To be determined
Additional Priority Support Needed:
Acquiring Board of Directors (including people with expertise in the following areas: legal, financial, architectural, IT, grant-writing, marketing, organizational development, youth service and the arts)
Seeking bulk drum sales in the US; possibilities include selling to universities, schools, community recreation centers, churches, retail and fair trade stores... etc.
Promoting DUFP trips to Ghana in which international visitors experience first-hand DUFP's work at Accra's Art Center and Senya Beraku, gain personal exposure to the drumming arts and Ghanaian culture, and interact with its vibrant youth
Creating an interactive international website that exposes people to DUFP's mission, programs and youth
Helping arrange an initial DUFP exchange in which 3-4 Art Center youth can visit the US to perform, raise funds and promote awareness of DUFP's work
* Buying a drum,instrument,or any handmade product from Kweku's Ghana market.
* Taking drumming, dancing and drum building classes with Kristen and Kweku, or organizing a drum circle, drum party, or Kids drum class for them to teach.
* Joining our next Ghana tour, scheduled for 2016.
* Pre-ordering a drum for Kweku to create with the children when he returns to Ghana.
* Offering assistance in organizational development, obtaining Fair Trade status, or building a website.
* Volunteering services such as graphic design, letter and grant writing, and publicity
contact us: [email protected] 202-375-9110
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