Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa is a registered charity (number 1115066).
Thuso means “helping hand” in Sesotho, one of South Africa’s 11 official languages.
Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa is a Charitable Trust to help raise funds for supporting the increasing number of orphans and destitute students at Thuto Lesedi High School in South Africa who need
School Fees
Food
Books
Uniforms
It was set up by Waltham Forest branch of Action for Southern Africa, WFACTSA, which was the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Organisation.
This year we were well prepared for the heavy rains forecast - but the sunny weather held out and a wonderful garden party was enjoyed by all.
Tony Dykes, director of ACTSA, speaking about the 50 year celebrations of the Anti Apartheid Movement.
Mmapula Tladi-Small (Waltham Forest THUSO in South Africa Chair) gives an update on progress. THUSO now sponsors over 50 students through the Thuto Lesedi School and the feeding programme that Thuso contributes to “as hungry children can’t learn”.
Makola and Elijah demonstrating the gumboot dancing they learned on an exchange visit to Vosloorus in 2000 - and people joining in!
As a precaution we put up two gazebos on Sunday June 7th but the forecast rain stayed away when we held our Annual Fundraising Garden Party at Gerard and Naima Omasta-Milsom’s garden in Walthamstow. The food that we offered went down a treat – especially Naima’s signature dish – authentic cous-cous – which was a triumph.Tony Dykes, the director of Action for Southern Africa, gave a speech celebrating 50 years of the Anti Apartheid Movement. He recalled how it was set up in 1959 to demand an end to apartheid in South Africa by means of sanctions and political isolation and changed the world for the better. In 1994 after the first democratic elections in South Africa the movement regrouped as Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), which by working with the people of Southern Africa to overcome the legacy of apartheid aimed to build a future of rights, justice and democracy for the region.Our Chair Mmapula Tladi-Small then spoke about her recent trip to South Africa during which she visited Thuto Lesedi School where our sponsors now support 50 mostly AIDS orphans through the school by paying their school fees. She was able to report that most of the Matriculation class students had successfully gained their diplomas. She also reported on the feeding programme to which Thuso contributes. In comparison to previous visits when she had found the students lethargic due to hunger they were now much more lively and engaged in classes and positive about their futures. The teachers assured her that without Thuso’s support the feeding programme could not continue. Mmapula ended by thanking all our supporters for their help.
Trustee Tania Collins then introduced Makola and Elijah who demonstrated Gumboot dancing that they had learned on a visit to Vosloorus in South Africa in 2000. He explained that the dance was originated by South African miners. Makola got us all chanting the rhythm and several people joined in the dancing – without the gumboots!
Niles entertained us with a drumming session which was a enjoyed by all and Kwame did his stuff with the raffle which was a great success.
There was a variety of plants on sale as well as beaded jewellery hand-made by a Women with AIDs Co-operative.
The event raised over £1,000 which will help us to continue support for the feeding programme at the school.
Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa thanks everyone who attended the Garden Party and particularly the children who donated books for the Community Heart Charity to send to South African school libraries.
This year’s fundraising garden party will again be at
37 Grosvenor Park Road, Walthamstow, London E17 9PD
(between Hoe Street and Pembroke Road - see map below)
on Sunday, 7th June 2009, from 1 to 5pm.
The fundraising garden party is to support young people, many of them AIDS orphans, at Thuto Lesedi Secondary School in South Africa with a much needed feeding programme.
WE DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP TO DO THIS.
LUNCH: a wide selection of delicious home-cooked dishes including vegetarian
DONATIONS
Adults: £7 includes 1 free glass of wine/beer (add’l glasses £1.00)
Children: £2.50
Under 5’s: Free
All soft drinks free!!!!
UPDATE: Presentation on project progress to date at 2 o’clock
GUMBOOT DANCE WORKSHOP: 3pm - join in and have a go!
Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa is a registered charity (number 1115066).
This year’s fundraising garden party will again be at