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Provided by the South African National Department of Health
Reaching ‘one child at a time’
through dance and drama
Uplifting the community, one child at a time. This is the philosophy of the Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation, a non-profit organisation in Hout Bay, Cape Town, devoted to empowering local youth through dance, drama and music. Amoyo, which means ‘spirit of appreciation’, has since its inception in 2015 assisted in turning around the lives of more than 100 children through its innovative after-school and holiday programme. This year, more than 150 children have enrolled. As part of its corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives, SPW is providing time and expertise to assist the foundation in continuing its sterling work in poor and marginalised communities.
‘Our motivation is to keep children from Grade R to matric of Imizamo Yethu and Hangberg communities in Hout Bay off the streets in the afternoons, to keep them occupied with positive skills development in performing arts and life skills, and to do this in an invigorating, uplifting, energised, loving, trusting and nurturing environment,’ says Kim Worrall, co-founder and CEO of Amoyo.
Kim started Amoyo in March 2015 together with dance teachers Mandisa Qwesha and Nandipha Sandlana. They shared the conviction that they could reach out to disadvantaged children of Hout Bay, turning their lives around by encouraging them to engage with their bodies and minds through drama, dance and music. Having launched with only one classroom, Amoyo now offers 32 classes per week at four teaching venues in Hout Bay.
Over the past year, the performing arts programme has expanded to include ballet, African contemporary, modern and hip-hop classes, as well as singing, music and rhythm, drama and performance classes. Effective communication and career guidance are also offered to final-year high school students.
‘With every new dance step learnt, with every new drama skill acquired, and with positive feedback every day, these children blossom. They acquire skills that give them the potential for a better future than they might otherwise have had,’ Kim says.
The Amoyo programme also incorporates an innovative mix of life skills as well as nutritional, emotional and economic support. This is intended to address the many social issues that blight young lives, such as poverty, neglect, violence, drugs, HIV and Aids, inadequate education and unemployment.
‘Our vision is that each child will continue into tertiary education after school and be employable, having participated in our classes, which will equip them with self-esteem, confidence, and an array of life and actual performing arts skills. We also aim to instil an understanding of behavioural social morals and principles often lacking in these children’s homes. We want our youth to reach their full potential in life,’ Kim says.
Amoyo is supported by well-known dance teacher and co-owner of The Waterfront Theatre School, Delia Sainsbury. The school assists Amoyo with mentorship and teacher support, and offers bursaries to outstanding students, enabling them to pursue careers in the performing arts.
‘The development of students in all genres has been nothing short of astounding. It’s incredible to see the level of dance, drama and musical theatre produced under the most difficult of circumstances. Amoyo is a unique project and of invaluable service to the community as a whole,’ Delia says.
Carien Strauss, Tax and Fiduciary Specialist at SPW, says they decided to become involved in assisting Amoyo as one of several CSI initiatives across South Africa.
‘At SPW, we want to use our expertise in managing charitable organisations and their assets to the benefit of communities in need. As a responsible corporate in South Africa, we acknowledge that we have an obligation to help disadvantaged communities where possible.’
Besides assisting with the management of Amoyo’s funds, SPW is also providing expert advice to the foundation on tax-related and other matters.
For further information about the Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation, or to contribute to this worthy cause, contact Kim Worrall on 082 958 7187 or email info@amoyo.org.
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