Top 50 !

GREAT NEWS!


I made it to the top 50 in the CBC Champion of Change Competion!
49 EXTRAORDINARY individuals have been chosen as Champions of Change for putting their hearts and souls into action by giving to others. I feel so honoured to share this moment of time with them all. Over 1,350 Canadians were nominated and The Big Little Caravan of Joy made it to this stage so far. Keep your fingers crossed and please hold onto the vision so that The Big Little Caravan of Joy can make it to the finals. Now wouldn't that be something?! The 10 finalists will receive $10,000 for their chosen charity. The top 2 will receive $25,000! This would be so awesome for the BLCJ next summer as I will need all the financial help possible to run my arts camps; (8 of them in 4 countries) and 2 National Educational Conferences held in Swaziland and South Africa titled: The Empowered African Child. A big thanks to all of you who took the time to nominate me. Check out all the other amazing volunteers that made it to the top 50! 





On November 15th they will be announcing the Top 10 finalists. Also, a big thank you to my supporters. You all mean so much to me. And finally, a big hug and a kiss to the Bedford Park Players and Summerhill Players who keep showing up to dance, sing and play so that orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa can do the same!
Three cheers to us all! 

My Fund Raiser has begun!
This cast called the Summerhill Players is very special to me for they are from my own community and they range between the ages of 26-75 years old. The generosity and benevolence that goes into a production like this makes you truly believe in the spirit of humanity. All of the actors, face painters, creations of the costumes by Gail Leger, hair and makeup design by Kimberly, Mike Irwin, making the animals in his back yard, Andy Berry who created the set in his garage and the list goes on and on. All bright beings donating their time for the bigger picture and having a blast while doing it too! This experience has two big bonuses: Firstly, it is a joyful experience that celebrates community that collaborates and creates together. Secondly, it is operates as fund raiser so that 1,000 orphans can do the same( act, sing and dance).~ How brilliant is that?! If it wasn't for Kristi Herold who pushed me to create this fundraiser the Big Little Caravan of Joy would not have its wheels! Nicky Potter, from Friends of Noah Canada, has supported my vision by inviting me to be a part of her charity!
www.noahorphans.ca



Why did I created the Big Little Caravan of Joy?
My intention in designing the BLCJ is to keep the inborn sense of wonder and playful spirit alive in the hearts and minds of the African child. In doing so, it very important to me that compassionate African Artists jump on board so they too can guide, witness and model this magnificent unfolding of the child’s bright light. For the children of Africa, this rediscovery and expression of joy and connection to their own culture, immediately raises the vibration of a community into a state of new found enthusiasm, pride and fortified hope.

How do I do it?
With my Courage Muscles -
And so it begins... the flexing and contracting of my courage muscles to keep this journey of The Big Little Caravan of Joy going strong... Sometimes the fear of keeping this charity moving and growing paralyzes me. Traveling to Africa by myself into unknown communities can be a challenging experience. This is how I keep doing it... First, I slowly start flexing my desired action in my mind. I inherently know that for me to exercise my real courage I need to face my fears straight on! I do want to make this one thing clear- having courage doesn’t mean doing foolish, dangerous things without a thinking of the possible consequences.

Then I slowly start to light the fires of my curiosity about the the new journey ahead. I start to let my curiosity guide me, my higher self inform me; and by doing so I always find something new and fresh waiting around the corner. I become so
intrigued with the unknown I actually embrace it!

And sometimes I just pretend to be courageous! If it is really out of my comfort zone I start taking steps to pretend to be courageous even though I am not feeling it at all! Soon enough I am doing the one thing that made me shake in my boots and soon thereafter I find myself having found the courage needed to move forward.

Another little thing I do is use my by beliefs to reinforce my desire to move forward- Simply, I go back to what I believed in the first place and I ask myself is this the one thing I believe in 100% with my heart. If it is a big yes then that will help catapult me into present and focused attention and action.


Courage is something we cultivate and must mindfully nurture in ourselves. This may mean taking chances which will lead to discovering our truest dreams and the confronting those fears that hold us back. Being a dancer I am always developing strength and a natural edge in a stretch or dance movement. Too far can be too much and the body can get injured, too little and my body is not hitting its potential. The perfect balance can create a muscle memory so that the dance can flow with grace! In many ways when one taps into courage it is like contracting a muscle- a courage muscle....All of us have courage muscles. Exercising courage could be interpreted in so many ways: standing up for something you believe in, standing up for someone else's rights, singing a song or dancing a dance in front of people, going on an international adventure; even trying a new food could be a courageous act for some. This "heart ~ work" of mine is constantly requiring me to contract my courage muscles.

My New Project!
A conference for 1,000 African Childcare Givers and Artists!

THE EMPOWERED AFRICAN CHILD 2011 is a National Conference that will embody the spirit of the performing arts, Swazi and South African Culture and play as to give rise the the true spirit of the young African child. Created to honour the day of The African Child this conference is designed specifically to empower childcare workers through the performing arts and the power of creative play so that the young child can benefit in the future. THE EAC will meet the needs for all child care workers, NGOs and educators inspiring them to connect to the child in the most effective, creative way possible.

This is what I hope to achieve:
*develop, support, encourage and expand the capacity with innovative ways in a teaching child-centric methodology of the arts for all delegates involved

*empower artists and teachers and positively create new ways of understanding and meaning in working together as a global community through the arts

*act as a model to create a sustainable arts program during the year for Swazi artists and educators nationally

*act as creative exchange for visiting artists and children from around Swaziland to come together to create new bodies of work and perform with and for the children

build new networks of experts in the field and relationships with artists and educators

*reinforce the importance and relevance of playful experiences for the Swazi child’s development


And that is all for now! I will keep you posted on my standing with CBC’s Champion of Change! I am think this is such a great thing that CBC created. A positive form of news!

Thank you my friends for reading my Blog!

NEWS!

OH BOY!
The Big Little Caravan of Joy is now a CHARITY!

On June 1st, 2010 Friends of Noah Canada (FoNC) and The Big Little Caravan of Joy (BLCJ) amalgamated to become partners in providing care and serving vulnerable and orphaned African children's needs. Thanks to the spirited and bold hearted Nicky Potter, (founder of FoNC) and the benevolent legal team of Trudy White and George Dzuro, the BLCJ now can continue to raise funds for creative programming for these childrenin desperate need of creative play.

The BLCJ’s creative arts camps acts as a springboard for children to explore, experiment and acquire new information about the world and themselves. I believe it is through the exploration of the arts that the dynamics of play will initiate: motivation, self-expression, personal and environmental connections and integrated experiences for all kids involved. I have first hand seen that active creativity in these camps helps heal, integrate and expand each child's potential.

After returning from Swaziland and South Africa this year with the BLCJ at the end of July of 2010 I was once again reminded at how powerful our creative spirit can be in elevating spirits even in the darkest situations. Part of my ethical framework when working with vulnerable and orphaned children in Africa is to dismantle the consciousness of fear and sorrow and replace that with the natural programming of love and creativity. I often go into areas that are quite heavy hearted. As I work in the field I do my utmost best to reflect back to the artists, childcare givers and to the sweet vulnerable children, their light and extraordinary potential to create and express their authentic truth and playful spirits. I know that I am also there to simply bear witness to all of their precious lives. I do believe that we are all infinitely wise, spirited with determination and creative. Just as it takes a good friend or loving parent to affirm us when we are down so that we can get back to our authentic selves the BLCJ’s purpose has the same purpose too. The mission of the BLCJ is to empower the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children by using the performing arts and creative play for health, development and joy. This also includes empowering the lives of of childcare workers, guardians, artists and educators with a child-centric methodology that uses a performing arts and creative curriculum for health, development and joy.

I know from my work with thousands that when we are not vital, creative and collaborating with and for community something in ourselves becomes static. When community is creating together and expressing their art and culture confidence and enthusiasm unfolds and vibrations are lifted with joy.

We must hurry slowly. Time is of the essence when it comes to supporting these little children.

My Team Joy in Swaziland consisted of the incomparable: Nicholas Mamba (artistic director of Peoples’ Educational Theatre) Andrew Moyo, Sandile Ndzimandze, Musa, ZikalalaWandile, Phumzile, Phumzile, Mensi

... and in South Africa: Shembiso Hlela, Sabee Shozi, Sussie Mjwara, Busi, Sipho Mdletshe

along with my awesome volunteers: Tully McLoughlin- a Yale undergraduate student and social/educational theatre researcher
Duncan Maccallum-local high school student in Durban and the brilliant Damarise St. Marie-a dance student in Quebec City.

They all made this work flow with grace, ease, joy and laughter.
Noah South Africa’s team was headed by Joslyn Walker who brought such support and guidance to the BLCJ’s vision! She was a star. Jamie Laughlin from Clowns Without Borders South Africa guided and connected us to individuals that created loving and compassionate expressive possibilities for thousands. Without these people and my Team Joy’s dedication and commitment this project would not have been possible! I thank them from the bottom of my heart!

This year I have discovered a way to create sustainability in this work - by educating educators! THE EMPOWERED AFRICAN CHILD (EAC) 2011, will be a national conference held in Swaziland and South Africa that will foster professional development in the arts for all delegates involved. Research indicates that introducing children to artistic processes, while incorporating elements of their own culture into education, cultivates in each individual a sense of creativity, cognitive development, a fertile imagination and emotional intelligence. The intention of the conference is to instill for each delegate a sense of joy and new found confidence in working children in the arts. The EAC will utilize the country’s best performing artists and speakers, to create a strong voice in the importance, relevance and  investment of an arts education for the Swazi Child. This conference will also provide hundreds of ideas for curriculum implementation, after-school, daycare and holiday programming for all children. In the next few months we will both be creating a detailed curriculum that will include keynote speakers, performers and workshop leaders. If you have any fundraising ideas or any organizations that would be willing to financially help with this vision please do let us know too! Look at what others have said about this conference and workshop experience.






Swaziland

Sandile, Social Worker:
“We can’t limit this experience to meetings and training. This is something that must be sustainable. We should be engaging other players, educators, NGOS and orphanages. This provide psycho/social support. The topic here should be how do we as artists reach the children? Their must be a forum so that the village North where there are many vulnerable children. It is not about just feeding the children.”


South Africa

Prince
“I learned the difference between reaction and response! This workshop made me believe in myself.”

Philisiwe
“Sarina is a kind and sympathetic woman. I realized that I was bullying my children at home and now I understand how to handle the children in a better way. I realized that I need to connect to laughter so that I can connect to the child spirit more.”

Sussie
“From Sarina I learned about how to connect emotionally with the children. I also learned how important and crucial the development years are for the child. I also realized that I love and care about children more than I was aware of. For me this was an inspiring workshop that was shared with love and compassion.”

Malibongwe
“For me Sarina’s workshop taught me to work with children you need to open your heart. It changed me for I was punishing children in a hard way before. My wish is to work with Sarina in the future.”


Thanks to each and everyone of you for believing in the spirit and joy of play, the beauty, truth and inspiration held in the arts and reflecting that back to me. A big THANK YOU to the following compassionate and generous people:

Summerhill Players
Bedford park Players
Vintage Dancers
Soul Dancers
Little Children at LBHS
Summerhill Community
Turning Pointe Dance Studio (Nicole Garland)
Toronto Sport Social Club
Mary Murphy COSTUMES
Circus Remedy (Anthony Lucero)
NOAH’ S SOUTH AFRICA
PET THEATRE SWAZILAND
The National Ballet SCHOOL of CANADA
The Church of the Messiah, Reverend Tay Moss
Lawrence Park Community Church
Mike Evans, Gail Leger, Kimberly Irwin
Kwasi Dunyo
Amy Sky
Deb and Phil - hosting this event
Giuseppe Condello
Michael Foran
Darren Shearer
Sheila Philcox
Anne Bancroft
Pierre and Felicity Bannister
Laurence Acland
Bojan Vitko and Shari Morandin
Mark Greenspan
Sarah Ferris
Ruth and Tony Condello
Liana Condello

A Big HUGE THANKS to the following:
Randi Kirshenbaum
George and Kathy Dembroski
Nicholas Mamba
Trudy and George
Kevin Sullivan
Kristi Herrold
Nicky Potter & FRIENDS OF NOAH CANADA
Damarise St. Marie (you went far beyond your call of duty girl!)
Tully McLouglin
All the kids who I worked with in Canada, America and Africa
My friends and family who live far away
My 3 children for making me who I am today

Finally this is how I spent $23,000 this summer of 2010!

Where we traveled:
Mbabane, the capital city of the Kingdom of Swaziland; as well as Durban, a South African port city on the Indian Ocean; and Cape Town, the most South-Western point on the African continent.

Paid for all airfare, insurance, hotel, extra baggage fee, food etc.
Traveled to Swaziland and orchestrated a 2 day workshop for 30 childcare givers, artists, educators and NGO’s all fees, driving, food, manuals, equipment rental
Hired 7 artists for 2 weeks to create a program for the Esigangeni Primary School in Swaziland, payed them fare trade wages,
Paid for all transport ( car rental), lunches, manuals equipment, accommodations, rental of car, gas, supplies for the 2 weeks in Swaziland
Bought gifts of gratitude and healing for teachers, families and new found friends
Created a community event that fed 1,000 people to honour the child and create a celebratory, memorable event for all. 625-650 children performed for the community
Traveled to Swaziland to South Africa in vehicle
Created a workshop for 30 people in Durban for two days; once again paid for manuals, breakfast, lunches
Rented a car for a month AND hired a driver and bus for the same amount of time
All food, accommodations, staff meetings, meals
All photos, crafts supplies, and weekly breakfasts meetings
Hired 6 staff members for 4 weeks in South Africa
Huge donation of full kitchen supplies to an ARK
HOT DOG LUNCH for 500 children
Donation of to DOJO of equipment for Sabee
Bought 4 trunks to store equipment
Took sponsors and volunteer for final dinner
Trip to Capetown, accommodations etc.
Researched townships and history of SOUTH AFRICA through 3 tours
Established a new relationship with the township of LANGA and Chippa
Purchased costumes, hard hats and teacher fees for a month, for a troupe of 30 children called Happy FEET

Number of Beneficiaries as a result of this work in 8 1/2 weeks:
Children: 1,050 received between 10-25 hours of programming
Hired Staff: 14 staff members hired throughout the 2 months
Workshop Participants: 60
Volunteers: 3
Educators, NOAH childcare workers: 50-60
Government Officials and NGO’s: 25
Community Members: 600-1000
TOTAL : Approximately : 2,200


We almost tripled the beneficiaries this year and created 2 conferences as compared to last year.
Now this is called rocking out your passion and paying it forward to the sweet children of our planet!

News from The Big Little Caravan of Joy!

OH BOY!
The Big Little Caravan of Joy is now a CHARITY!

On June 1st, 2010 Friends of Noah Canada (FoNC) and The Big Little Caravan of Joy (BLCJ) amalgamated to become partners in providing care serving a vulnerable and orphaned child’s need. Thanks to the spirited and bold hearted Nicky Potter, (founder of FoNC) and the benevolent legal team of Trudy White and George Dzuro, the BLCJ now can continue to raise funds for creative programming for these children in desperate need of creative play.

The BLCJ’s creative arts camps acts as a springboard for children to explore, experiment and acquire new information about the world and themselves. I believe it is through the exploration of the arts that the dynamics of play will initiate: motivation, self-expression, personal and environmental connections and integrated experiences for all kids involved. I have first hand seen that active creativity in these camps helps heal, integrate and expand each child's potential.




After returning from Swaziland and South Africa this year with the BLCJ at the end of July of 2010 I was once again reminded at how powerful our creative spirit can be in elevating spirits even in the darkest situations. Part of my ethical framework when working with vulnerable and orphaned children in Africa is to dismantle the consciousness of fear and sorrow and replace that with the natural programming of love and creativity. I often go into areas that are quite heavy hearted. As I work in the field I do my utmost best to reflect back to the artists, childcare givers and to the sweet vulnerable children, their light and extraordinary potential to create and express their authentic truth and playful spirit. I also know that I am there to simply bear witness to all of their lives. I do believe that we are all infinitely wise, spirited with determination and creative. Just as it takes a good friend or loving parent to affirm us when we are down as to get back to our authentic selves the BLCJ’s purpose has the same role too. I know from my work with thousands that when we are not vital, creative and collaborating with and for community something in ourselves becomes static. When community is creating together and expressing their art and culture confidence and enthusiasm unfolds and vibrations are lifted with joy.

We must hurry slowly. Time is of the essence when it comes to supporting these little children.

Many of my friends have donated time to this cause, big cash and little cash, supplies, kind words, love, student being-ness (which has directly paved the path for me) care, concern, prayers etc. Some of you have danced, sang and acted for this cause, others have showed interest in my where abouts and what abouts.

My Team Joy in Swaziland consisted of the incomparable: Nicholas Mamba (artistic director of Peoples’ Educational Theatre) Andrew Moyo, Sandile Ndzimandze, Musa, ZikalalaWandile, Phumzile, Phumzile, Mensi

... and in South Africa: Shembiso Hlela, Sabee Shozi, Sussie Mjwara, Busi
Sipho Mdletshe

along with my awesome volunteers: Tully McLoughlin - a Yale undergraduate student and social/educational theatre researcher
Duncan Maccallum - local high school student in Durban and the brilliant Damarise St. Marie -a dance student in Quebec City.


They all made this work flow with grace, ease, joy and laughter.
Noah South Africa’s team was headed by Joslyn Walker who brought such support and guidance to the BLCJ’s vision! She was a star.
Jamie Laughlin from Clowns Without Borders South Africa guided and connected us to individuals that created creative possibilities for thousands.

Without these people and my Team Joy’s dedication and commitment this project would not have been possible! I thank them from the bottom of my heart!




This year I have discovered a way to create sustainability in this work; by educating educators! THE EMPOWERED AFRICAN CHILD (EAC) 2011, will be a national conference that will foster professional development in the arts for all delegates involved. Research indicates that introducing children to artistic processes, while incorporating elements of their own culture into education, cultivates in each individual a sense of creativity, cognitive development, a fertile imagination and emotional intelligence. The intention of the conference is to instill for each delegate a sense of joy and new found confidence in working children in the arts. The EAC will utilize the country’s best performing artists and speakers, to create a strong voice in the importance, relevance and  investment of an arts education for the Swazi Child. This conference will also provide hundreds of ideas for curriculum implementation, after-school, daycare and holiday programming for all children. In the next few months we will both be creating a detailed curriculum that will include keynote speakers, performers and workshop leaders. If you have any fundraising ideas or any organizations that would be willing to financially help with this vision please do let us know too! Look at what others have said about this conference and workshop experience.


Swaziland

Sandile, Social Worker:
“We can’t limit this experience to meetings and training. This is something that must be sustainable. We should be engaging other players, educators, NGOS and orphanages. This provide psycho/social support. The topic here should be how do we as artists reach the children? Their must be a forum so that the village North where there are many vulnerable children. It is not about just feeding the children.”

Andrew Moyo, Community Facilitator, Artist:
“We should be inviting organizations and hold more forums of this nature. The Children’s Protection Network, Children’s Consortium or simply we should be going to them. We as artists have lack of resources. Everything goes to UNICEF. We need more recognition for current work in the arts. A children’s festival might be a great idea.”

South Africa

Prince
“I learned the difference between reaction and response! This workshop made me believe in myself.”


Philisiwe
“Sarina is a kind and sympathetic woman. I realized that I was bullying my children at home and now I understand how to handle the children in a better way. I realized that I need to connect to laughter so that I can connect to the child spirit more.”

Sussie
“From Sarina I learned about how to connect emotionally with the children. I also learned how important and crucial the development years are for the child. I also realized that I love and care about children more than I was aware of. For me this was an inspiring workshop that was shared with love and compassion.”

Malibongwe
“For me Sarina’s workshop taught me to work with children you need to open your heart. It changed me for I was punishing children in a hard way before. My wish is to work with Sarina in the future.”


Thank you to each and everyone of you for believing in the spirit and joy of play, the beauty, truth and inspiration held in the arts and reflecting that back to me. A big THANK YOU to the following:

Summerhill Players
Bedford park Players
Vintage Dancers
Soul Dancers
Little Children at LBHS
Summerhill Community
Turning Pointe Dance Studio (Nicole Garland)
Toronto Sport Social Club
Mary Murphy COSTUMES
Circus Remedy (Anthony Lucero)
NOAH’ S SOUTH AFRICA
PET THEATRE SWAZILAND
The National Ballet SCHOOL of CANADA
The Church of the Messiah, Reverend Tay Moss
Lawrence Park Community Church
Mike Evans, Gail Leger, Kimberly Irwin
Kwasi Dunyo
Amy Sky
Deb and Phil - hosting this event
Giuseppe Condello
Michael Foran
Darren Shearer
Sheila Philcox
Anne Bancroft
Pierre and Felicity Bannister
Laurence Acland
Bojan Vitko and Shari Morandin
Mark Greenspan
Sarah Ferris
Ruth and Tony Condello
Liana Condello

Big THANKS to the following
Randi Kirshenbaum
George and Kathy Dembroski
Nicholas Mamba
Trudy and George
Kevin Sullivan
Kristi Herrold
Nicky Potter & FRIENDS OF NOAH CANADA
Damarise St. Marie (you went far beyond your call of duty girl!)
Tully McLouglin
All the kids who I worked with in Canada, America and Africa
My friends and family who live far away
My 3 children for making me who I am today






Finally this is how I spent $23,000 this summer of 2010!

Where we traveled:
Mbabane, the capital city of the Kingdom of Swaziland; as well as Durban, a South African port city on the Indian Ocean; and Cape Town, the most South-Western point on the African continent.

Paid for all airfare, insurance, hotel, extra baggage fee, food etc.
Traveled to Swaziland and orchestrated a 2 day workshop for 30 childcare givers, artists, educators and NGO’s all fees, driving, food, manuals, equipment rental
Hired 7 artists for 2 weeks to create a program for the Esigangeni Primary School in Swaziland, payed them fare trade wages,
Paid for all transport ( car rental), lunches, manuals equipment, accommodations, rental of car, gas, supplies for the 2 weeks in Swaziland
Bought gifts of gratitude and healing for teachers, families and new found friends
Created a community event that fed 1,000 people to honour the child and create a celebratory, memorable event for all. 625-650 children performed for the community
Traveled to Swaziland to South Africa in vehicle
Created a workshop for 30 people in Durban for two days; once again paid for manuals, breakfast, lunches
Rented a car for a month AND hired a driver and bus for the same amount of time
All food, accommodations, staff meetings, meals
All photos, crafts supplies, and weekly breakfasts meetings
Hired 6 staff members for 4 weeks in South Africa
Huge donation of full kitchen supplies to an ARK
HOT DOG LUNCH for 500 children
Donation of to DOJO of equipment for Sabee
Bought 4 trunks to store equipment
Took sponsors and volunteer for final dinner
Trip to Capetown, accommodations etc.
Researched townships and history of SOUTH AFRICA through 3 tours
Established a new relationship with the township of LANGA and Chippa
Purchased costumes, hard hats and teacher fees for a month, for a troupe of 30 children called Happy FEET
Number of Beneficiaries as a result of this work in 8 1/2 weeks:
Children: 1,050 received between 10-25 hours of programming
Hired Staff: 14 staff members hired throughout the 2 months
Workshop Participants: 60
Volunteers: 3
Educators, NOAH childcare workers: 50-60
Government Officials and NGO’s: 25
Community Members: 600-1000
TOTAL : Approximately : 2,200

We almost tripled the beneficiaries this year and created 2 conferences as compared to last year. Now this is called rocking out your passion and paying it forward!