13 November 2017, OKA Associate

I was born in Kenya and came to the UK aged 5. Born to loving parents, I have had the benefit of a warm and secure upbringing, as well as an education to firmly stand me on my two feet. Opportunity has been handed to me and for that I am forever grateful. 

We have heard Malala's views on the right to education which almost cost her so dearly and yet, her choice to fight for her right to be educated stands her today as an undergraduate at Oxford University. An education should be a basic right, and yet too often it is not.

In Malala’s words, “In some parts of the world, students are going to school every day. It’s their normal life. But in other parts of the world, we are starving for education……it’s like a precious gift. It’s like a diamond”.

I recently came across a charity called the Xavier Project. Its objective is to provide refugee children in Kenya and Uganda access to formal education in a safe environment. Xavier Project has two departments; the Education Department aims to increase access to relevant and good formal education delivered in a safe environment for refugee children. The ‘Tamuka’ Department aims to make vocational and life-long learning available to all refugees even in emergency situations, primarily through the use of ICT.

Since its inception in 2008, Xavier Project, through paying fees and providing other support, is enabling 996 refugee children to go to school. In Kenya, that is 65 in early childhood development, 592 primary school students and 159 secondary school students. In Uganda, that is 154 primary school students and 26 secondary school students.

I am looking to raise £2400 which will pay the fees for 4 children to attend secondary school for a year. To achieve this, I call upon you. 

For my birthday, I invite you to an afternoon of fun, music, food and drink. I invite you to participate in a charity Danceathon to raise money for the Xavier Project.

I am delighted to say that the Danceathon has the support of charity One Kind Act (OKA), winner of the Best Start-up Charity of the Year 2017 by the Asian Voice. OKA’s mission is to touch with kindness those suffering as a result of poverty of health, nutrition and education both in the UK and abroad. Unlike certain other “Charity for charities,” OKA ensures that EVERY PENNY pledged to this event will be paid directly to the Xavier Project. 

WHEN: 2:30pm-6:30pm on 12 November 2017. The detailed programme will be sent out in due course.

WHERE: The Rowland Brown Hall, St Helen’s School, Eastbury Road, Northwood HA6 3AS.

SO WHAT NEXT????

The Danceathon will last slightly over 2 hours and I will be dancing non-stop for that duration. You can join in for as little or as much as you can. Owing to space, I have to limit the number of participants for the Danceathon. To confirm your place to dance, you simply need to:

1) message me on 07939 245 405 replying "#D4NCE 0N" plus the number of attendees (feel free to bring family and friends)

AND

2) make a pledge through this Event page.

You can donate as much or as little as you like but the suggested MINIMUM pledge is £35 if you are participating in the Danceathon (£15 if under 12) and £10 if you are just coming to spectate, drink and eat.

To be honest all……it’s a steal compared to the diamond present I know you were going to get me………..

Any questions, please let me know. Otherwise, let’s “D4NCE 0N.”!

Rupa Lakha

One Kind Act Changes Communities and lives of others globally who suffer as a result of Poverty of Health, Nutrition and Education and may have Fallen Through The Net of the larger charities. Learn More here