The African Dream Benefit - Newsletter 2013

2013

“The Miracle of Education”

The African Dream Benefit l Po Box 1253 Innaloo, 6918 WA I [email protected] I www.theafricandream.org.au

2 The African Dream Benefit 2013 Newsletter ©

Each year that passes with The African Dream Benefit, the more we are reminded of the importance of

education in the development of the African continent. As each year surpasses, we come across more and

more inspiring individuals hungry to change the face of their continent.

So far, 2013 has been a milestone year for The African Dream Benefit with the launching of our Tertiary

Scholarship Program. The founding principle of the organisation was to “empower through education”.

Empowerment is key to what we do, and is only realised when an individual reaches their point of self-

actualisation. Self-actualisation is realised when an individual is able to achieve their dreams, and this is

achieved through a quality and relevant education. Through our Tertiary Scholarship Program, we have

empowered individuals to reach their goals, not only for themselves but also for their nation and communities.

Contained in this newsletter are the stories of our first two university scholarships. Their stories are inspiring and

heart warming. During my annual visit to Zimbabwe last year July, we went to the University of Zimbabwe and

we learnt of a student who was found by one of the cleaners sleeping in one of the lecture rooms everyday.

The university later discovered that this particular student could not afford to catch a bus to and from the

university. Instead he slept in the lecture rooms so he could make his classes everyday. This student was a rural

student studying medicine. He achieved straight A’s in his final exams at secondary school. He was

determined, and so where we. So we sponsored him. There are many more inspiring stories that we come

across. The need is immense, and we hope to continue to grow our Tertiary scholarship Program so we can

continue to invest in Africa’s future.

As we continue to embark on this wonderful and rewarding journey, I would like to take this opportunity to

thank each and every one of you including our volunteers, supporters and stakeholders. Thank you for shaping

the future of Africa, and believing in ‘The African Dream’.

Fadzai Matambanadzo Founder

Message from Founder


Message from Project Manager

“Education is very important in the African context in that it is a liberator from poverty, hunger, disease and above all ignorance. I am glad to be a part of The African Dream Benefit as I am able to assist in liberating the children and youth of Africa through the most important vehicle that is education. Some students drop out of school mainly due to the lack of funds. And those that do get the opportunity of attending school have to endure the discomfort of having to squat on the floor as they have no desks or chairs. Some girls even opt to get married as they see it as a way to lessen the burden.

I would like to say a big thank you to the supporters, friends, and believers of The African Dream Benefit. Thank you for your support that is enabling us to give scholarships to disadvantaged children and youth here in Africa. We appreciate that you are giving your time and resources to make this African dream a big success. We thank you.”

Tsitsi Makoni

Message from Operations Manager

“My African dream is to motivate, inspire and empower through education. This is what we aim to achieve through our day-to-day operational activities. From an operations strategy point of view, we have policies, plans and

controls in place that control the use of our limited resources. From the various surveys we have conducted in the country over the years, we realised that the need for scholarships and educational materials is too enormous. This is where organisations such as The African Dream Benefit fit in and play an important role in educating young Africans. We are not here to replace efforts of other institutions and organisations, but we are here to augment the efforts already

in place. We would like to thank all Directors, the Advisory Board, stakeholders, supporters friends and believers of The African Dream Benefit. You are helping us make a difference to the children and youth of Africa. We hope that you continue to further your interests in the African child.”

Simon Chihwanda


Launch of Tertiary Scholarships: Dream into Reality

Since launching in 2009, our dream

as an organisation has been to

award university scholarships.

However, to achieve this we had to

start with baby steps and award

primary and secondary school

scholarships first.

On January the 18th, exactly 4 years

since the birth of The African Dream

Benefit, our team arrived at The

University of Zimbabwe with one

special mission in mind; to have a

presentation ceremony to award

our first tertiary scholarships. Our

team arrived in the office of

Professor Nyagura,

Vice Chancellor of the university. Also

warmly welcoming the team was the

Dean of the College of Health

Sciences Professor Chidzonga, along

with other staff from the university.

The scholarships were awarded to

two deserving students Helen and

Happiness, who despite their

circumstances have been able to

stay motivated in order for them to

achieve their gaols. We look forward

to building a strong relationship with

the university and maintain its position

as one of our most important

stakeholders.

Continued on next page…

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison” Victor Hugo

Left to right: Simon Chihwanda (ADB Operations Manager), Helen (Recipient), Prof Nyagura (Vice Chancellor of University), Fadzai Matambanadzo (Founder of ADB), Happiness (Recipient), Tsitsi Makoni (ADB Project Manager)


“With both parents unemployed and now in their late sixties, survival is based on a small

chicken mesh in the backyard, which has to cater for feeding the family and fees for my

younger siblings. This has been a challenge for me as it has not been enough to pay my

fees. The African Dream Scholarship will be of value to my studies. Getting the scholarship

now means I will concentrate on my studies with no worries. This will enable me to excel

and become a better doctor who will be able to adequately give back to my community.

My African Dream is to have healthcare for every African. I wish to see health

transcending to all sectors of the community and reaching the remote places of the

continent. I believe that the development of the community is centred on the health of its

members. If people are healthy they can plan, make decisions pertaining to development

and can be involved wholly in manual activities. I want to offer myself as a medical

practitioner and be involved in Public Health. I want to strategically target the young. They

are important stakeholders in a nation’s development. They are the future of Africa and

are responsible for transforming Africa. A healthy person builds a healthy Africa because

healthy people’s minds are able to innovate and labor is adequately available.”

Helen (Medical Scholarship Recipient 2013)

“I am the first born in a family of six. My mother is late and my father is a security guard.

Supporting my siblings in their day-to-day living is a constant challenge for my father. The

fees required by the university are beyond his reach. Thank you to The African Dream

Benefit for intervening and supporting me at a very critical point in my life. It has always

been my dream to become a doctor and become of use to my siblings and community.

After my under graduate programme I want to specialise in paediatric surgery and will use

my skills to offer free surgery to children with birth defects.

I believe that affordable high quality education is the most important way to significantly

stop problems such as poverty, illiteracy, diseases, corruption and widespread

unemployment. I dream of a Africa where children run free playing in the streets knowing

that their future is secure.”

Happiness (Medical Scholarship Recipient 2013)

Launch of Tertiary Scholarships:

continued….

Meet our university scholars:


Project 50Five: A campaign supporting our ‘Tertiary Scholarship

Program’

Project 50Five is a campaign that was initiated in 2012

to raise funds for the launch of our Tertiary Scholarship

Program. In Zimbabwe, approximately 4% of

secondary students transition to post-secondary

education. Investing in Africa’s future means investing

heavily in post secondary education.

In awarding our first tertiary scholarships, we have

decided to work with the College of Health Sciences

at the University of Zimbabwe. This faculty is

internationally recognised as producing some of the

best medical practitioners in Africa. By choosing to

work with the College of Health Sciences, we are also

addressing 5 out of the 8 UN Millennium Development

Goals. These are:

· Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger

· Promoting gender equality & empowering women

· Reducing child mortality rates,

· Improving maternal health,

· Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,

Project 50Five aims to raise funds by encouraging

many of our supporters to donate just $20/month for

12 months. For every 55 people that do this, a well

deserving student studies medicine for 5 years.

Help us change the life of a well deserving student by

giving them the opportunity to relinquish themselves

from the poverty cycle and become a future leader in

Africa!

To donate visit

www.theafricandream.org.au/project50five


Mission Award: African Professionals

Association of WA gives award to Founder

Founder of The African Dream

Benefit, Fadzai Matambanadzo was awarded the ‘African

Professional Mission’ Award by the African Professionals of Australia last year.

She accepted the award during their Gala ball held at Novotel Hotel in Perth in September 2012.

This award recognises African-Australians who are positively impacting and uplifting the

community. Fadzai was recognised for her mission to change the lives of other Africans

in Africa through The African Dream Benefit.

The award was presented by the

Executive Director of the Office of Multicultural Interest, Maria Osman.

Other special guests included - Hon Julie Bishop: Deputy Leader

of the Federal Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister for Trade

- Mr Bill Turner: Chairman of Australia-Africa Mining Industry

Group - Mr Matthew Neuhaus: Australian

Ambassador to Zimbabwe. - And many other African ministers

and dignitaries.

© Image courtesy of APA

From Left to right: Mr Tommy Adedayo (President of African Professional Association) and the Hon Julie Bishop MP (Deputy Leader of the Federal Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister for Trade)


From Left to right: Mr Bill Turner (Chairman of Australia-Africa Mining Industry Group), Mrs Turner, Fadzai Matambanadzo (Founder of The African Dream Benefit), Mr Matthew Neuhaus (Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe), and Mrs Neuhaus

We thank the African Professionals

of Australia for their support and recognising the work and

commitment of The African Dream Benefit team in assisting disadvantage children and youth through education.



“Small deeds done, are better than great deed

planned” Peter Marshall

On the 20th of October in 2012 we

held our 6th fundraising event to raise

funds for our projects at the

Government House Ballroom.

Special guest for the evening was Mr

Ian Britza MLA (Member for Morley)

who gave a powerful and heart felt

speech.

The evening included delectable

finger foods and wines. Guests

enjoyed special performances from

Ka Dance Des Ziles with their vibrant

Mauritian traditional dancing.

The evening also included a live and

silent auction, which raised just

under $13,000. Stand out items were

paintings by Zimbabwean born

wildlife artist Craig Hilton Barber who

donated some of his most beautiful

works for the auction.

The evening was yet another

fundraising success for the

organisation raising much needed

funds for our scholarships and

educational projects.

Thank you to all the guests who

attended and helped us raise the

much-needed funds. Our next

fundraising dinner is on the 19th of

October 2013 at Government House

Ballroom.

For more photos from the event visit

www.theafricandream.org.au

African Dream Cocktail Fundraiser


Outdoor classroom at Macheke Primary School in Macheke, Zimbabwe


“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats

Annual Trips Zimbabwe

In June/July 2012 and

January/February 2013 Founder

of ADB Fadzai Matambanadzo

was in Zimbabwe for her annual

visits. In both visits Fadzai toured

the country with Project Manager

Tsitsi Makoni and Operations

Manager Simon Chihwanda

overlooking past and present

projects. New partnerships were

created and the planning of new

and upcoming projects begun.

The trips included visits to Monte

Cassino Secondary School, Kriste

Mambo Secondary School, St

Barbara Primary School, Macheke

Primary School, Trishill Primary

School, Mt Carmel Primary

School, and the University of

Zimbabwe.

The team met with the heads of the

schools to discuss the progress of

scholarship recipients, interview

new recipients and to discuss new

projects. We congratulate our top 3

performing primary school

scholarships recipients Leon,

Charmaine and Nomatter who

graduated from grade 7 with

straight A’s. We look forward to

continuing sponsoring them

throughout their secondary school

studies.

Our team also visited the University

of Zimbabwe in January 2013 for

the presentation ceremony of our

first tertiary scholarships.

Continued on next page….


Our team met with the Vice-

Chancellor of the university, the

Dean of the College of Health

Sciences, and other staff at the

university. The scholarships were

launched as part of the Project

50Five campaign which begun

raising funds for the Tertiary

Scholarship Program last year. At the

conclusion of the visit, the Vice-

Chancellor of the university and the

Founder of ADB agreed to formalise

a partnership, and continue to grow

the relationship.

A new partnership was also created

with the Catholic Education

Commission of Zimbabwe, which

runs over 200 schools in country.

.

We look forward to growing our

partnerships and relationships with

stakeholders in order to improve on

our efficiency in the deliverance of

our projects. Partnerships are

integral to our operational

efficiency and sustainability.

Annual Trips Continued….

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

Benjamin Franklin



Help us fight poverty and make a donation today!

Direct Debit: Westpac bank - The African Dream Benefit BSB: 036027 Acc: 380765

Credit card: Via www.theafricandream.org.au (click ʻDonateʼ) Or email us at [email protected]

Or call us on 0401888661/0422786394

Donate. Be part of The African Dream and empower a student with quality education!

Our fundraising dinner will be

held on the 19th of October at

the Government House

Ballroom. Tickets will be

available soon.

Updates…

We are getting busier, and we

are looking for volunteers to

dedicate a few hours a week

to the organisation. If you

based in Perth and are

interested email

[email protected]

We would like to thank all our

supporters, sponsors, donors,

friends and volunteers for the

hard work, dedications and

donations. Thank you to:

- Our Advisory Board

- Volunteers

- Clayton Utz

- Inteirra

- Shangara Jive

- Craig Hilton Barber

- Ka Dance Des Ziles

- And those who donate their

time and money to the children

and youth of Africa.

Thank you…

Documents

The African Dream Benefit - Newsletter 2013