Hoja Update! Events, Climate Change, and Regular Donations

A few snippets from Julia about recent goings on. First, our event at SOAS in February:

"Our Karamu Afrika fundraiser was a great success. It raised over £700 for The Hoja Project and hugely increased awareness of our work in rural Tanzania. We've had lots of positive feedback from guests at the event who ate a wonderful spread of Ethiopian food, heard Nigerian storytelling from Igbo culture by the remound Chinyere, saw a beautiful Ethiopian fashion show and a mesmerising dance by Meti.

There was some wild dancing to the African drum circle with Rhythm Synergy. There was a raffle and stalls selling African fabrics, jewellery, handmade spoons, and an impressive photography exhibition with photographs by Hoja's own Phil Hatchard of people and scenes from Tanga Ward where Hoja works. Thank you everyone!"

And a rather more recent event:

"We had fundraising concert at King Alfred School, London on 20th May. It was great to hold the event at King Alfred School which has been so supportive to Hoja over the years and who initially raised money to enable Oswin to receive teacher training.

The concert was largely organised by Alice Biddulph who played the piano with her friend, Ellie Jane Moran, a soprano. Both are extremely talented and gave excellent performances. We had a small but enthusiastic and supportive audience who all in all donated £136 and one person has pledged to give £10 per month as a regular giver. It was a highly enjoyable summer's evening.

Well done to all involved!"

On that last note, it's now rather easier to make regular donations to the Hoja Project. Just print and fill out the form on this page on our website and give it to your bank, or submit the details on the form via Internet Banking.

We're also starting to think more about environmental issues and sustainability in Tanga Ward, and Hoja's future work:

"The Climate Change Education Programme and Permaculture Initiative is getting underway. We are currently starting the funding application process and making links with nearby projects involved in similar activities. The aim is to sustainably grow a variety of edible tree and plant species. This aims to tackle the drying effects of climate change and deforestation which are leading to difficulties in crop growing and increased hunger in the region.

These practical steps will be undertaken by community members, one of two of whom will hopefully get the chance to take part in a Permaculture Design Course. Alongside the practical steps, will be an education initiative which will aim to increase the community's understanding of climate change, deforestation and related issues through film and educational performance (song and drama).

Watch this space.

In slightly less sensible news, I'm currently not shaving off a moustache that I grew for a play, in an effort to get the Hoja Donation Page up to £5,000. There's a blog post and a Facebook group and everything.