Swaziland is ready for a bright, buoyant and creative transformation!

Swaziland is ready for a bright, buoyant and creative transformation. The potential in this country is evident where ever we go. The Swazi children are impressionable and bright, and within minutes their creative work evolves into little masterpieces before our eyes.

Our Team Joy 2011 is an experienced one. This is our second year facilitating this project in the country. It is made up of the invincible Nicholas Mamba who directs The People’s Educational Theatre. I feel blessed to know this gentleman and have realized that we are kindred spirits. My assistant is none other but the graceful and enchanting Damarise Ste. Marie. She keeps me organized, well fed and is a fantastic facilitator in all ways. God bless that girl. And wow, what a dancer! Team Joy also consists of the extraordinary Andrew Moyo! Articulate, wise, masterful at almost everything, (and holy smokes what great pipes he has) Andrew is the glue that keep everything together. He will be my co-director with the Zimbabwe project that we will be spear heading this July. I am so excited to get started and meet all the little children in Bulawayo! Musawenkosi Zikalala is probably the most well rounded artist who carries with him the spirit of a child and the brilliance of Picasso! This man can juggle, direct, sing, paint, and the list goes on. Musa is a joy! Onendile Mabs has a heart of gold. His presence is present. He connects to the child with sensitivity and sweetness. His voice resonates with rich and deep undertones. Phumzile is the clown. She makes us laugh until we are crying. She is strong model for the girls under her tutelage. She is an unique and courageous spirit!

The school that we are visiting as artists, is situated in the mountains. No other art program has visited this school so everything we do, for many or all of these children, is for the first time ever creating and playing in this fashion. The teachers are eating it up!

My profound gratitude goes to Sandile Ndzimandze for being the professional of the group with his incredible insight and direction in helping us pull together an historic conference for the educators of this country titled: The Empowered African Child Conference.

We are going full out to implement this program for many reasons. The list is long, that’s for sure! Here are some of our reasons:

1.The arts are a central aspect to all cultures around the world. It a force that has been part of human’s existence. It is an activity that defines the human spirit. Children inherently know this, feel this and in actual fact express themselves in this manner. Swazis are proud of their identity. This program reinforces cultural identity in all ways.

2.The arts are one of the most important modes of expression people utilize to express who they are in the world. In a child’s world this is a simple solution to creating a safe platform to express their individuality. This is an imperative need for the vulnerable, underprivileged and orphaned children of Swaziland. This program is like oxygen to these children! We have found that the children in this country blossom when given an opportunity to express their unique nature.

3.Because the arts convey the spirit and identity of a community and culture, if facilitated by regional artists this approach can support inter-cultural comprehension and experiential learning for the child. If the child is exposed to the arts as part of their experience then they will invest in the arts as adults. Creating an arts appreciative culture in children will only reinforce this connection in future years.

4. The arts can be multi-cultural but they can also be trans-cultural. Connecting to the arts in a personal way and being exposed to different art forms from around the world teach children openness, acceptance and compassion. This understanding of empathy is crucial in creating communities that are not based in stigmas, stereotypes or even fear of other cultures. The integration of our Canadian team makes for an international program. Exposure to other artists from other countries opens minds and hearts.

5. The power of the arts definitively enhances children’s cognitive processes. Intellectual competence must entail problem solving skills so that an individual has the ability to resolve genuine problems or prevailing circumstances. Creative problem solving is influenced by creative individuals. The arts are constantly grappling with solving problems that unfold naturally in the process of art making. This lays down the groundwork for the acquisition of new found knowledge. Simply, this arts based program will give to the Swazi educational system more tools in order to create a well rounded and intelligent student who can problem solve with creativity!

6. School Curriculums around the world, and here in Swaziland too, emphasize forms of representation - true-false or correct-incorrect is the prominent approach in education. The problem here is that the preparation of the young Swazi mind is missing the development of the creative spirit. Yes- there is critical and creative thinking that transpires with the arts. Most are not aware of this. Simply stated: an arts based curriculum is every bit as effective as the mathematical and linguistic form of cognition that is now the traditional emphasis of the primary school years.

Embracing play as a learning tool can lead to a special kind of intelligence. I think the most alluring affect that play provides for the participant is the development of the ability to take notice and act upon the nuances of a given situation. Just like an artist, the person engaged in the moment has their eyes, ears, minds, bodies and hearts wide open. This heightened awareness enables them to tune their focus and in doing so it guides their work. I learned this very early on in my teaching. It is this very thing that has inspired me to pass it down to children that are underprivileged and vulnerable.

And so we bring this delicious energy, synergy and passion to the mountains, fields and towns of Swaziland, Africa!

TEAM JOY FOREVER!

Hello Beautiful Swaziland!!

The time is NOW in Swaziland! The time is ripe for a new movement in arts education for the young Swazi child!

The Big Little Caravan of Joy has arrived in Swaziland! Hurray, hurray!! We are now entering day four of our arts program in a rural school, up in the mountains. We are also gearing up for a symposium that will encourage, support and design a sustainable arts based program for the young children of Swaziland- The Empowered African Child!

Everything is put in place:

• a great arts curriculum for the early years designed by the curriculum department
• a governmental board that appreciates, honours and is designated to support arts and culture in the country
• a body of teachers who are in desperate need of creative and inspiring educational resources
• hundreds of intelligent and energetic artists that are ready to go
• and here’s the kicker- almost 500,000 Swazi bright, creative children who are bursting with potentiality, are urgently needing and requiring empowerment in all areas of their young lives!!

The Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku states:

“It is of paramount importance that children develop, grow and thrive in an enabling, protective and secure environment. The new strategy is to uphold the promotion, protection, and realization of children’s basic rights, and that this notion will be strategically integrated at all levels.”

Here are the hard cold facts as stated in The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland.

The statistics for the young child in this country are gut-wrenching and unsettling.

1,018,449 is the population of the country.

52% of the population is younger than 20 years old.

In some areas of the country almost 40% are HIV positive.

There is a thirty-one year life expectancy.

There are 70,000 orphaned children and 60,000 highly vulnerable children in Swaziland.

22 % of children in the country live in a household with both parents.

33 % live without either parent.

The amount of psychosocial support needed to reach each and every child is overwhelming and staggering in all ways. But I know of a way that could bring joy, empowerment and effective pshco-social support for the children of Swaziland. Borrowing from a model that I experienced while being employed for 10 years at The Inner City Angels in Toronto, Canada, the concept is to create an arsenal of trained and certified artists that will rove the country supporting educators and giving these precious and bright Swazi children an opportunity to creatively express themselves. These artists, working along with educators, will provide hundreds of opportunities to grow and develop physically, socially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually so that they can facilitate an over all well-being and confidence in each Swazi child. The program would include culturally relevant art experiences, information sharing, dialogue activities, creative expression, experiences and innovation in all cultural and art modalities.

The Bottom Line:

These children are the most powerful asset in the country! Imagine if these assets were cultivated, honoured and revered in their developmental years!? If the young Swazi child is not given the opportunity create, express and creatively share with their community we then are unconsciously ripping and cutting the essential threads of potentiality. Without such a program that empowers the child though the arts we unknowingly are contributing to a frayed and fragmented spirit; especially with the vulnerable and orphaned children of this country.

The main goal of The Big Little Caravan of Joy’s work with children is to instill in them a sense of empowerment through culturally and socially sensitive arts experiences. This includes supporting the development of their self-esteem, helping to build their confidence, and allowing them to find their place in the world and creating a positive relationship with their environment. Empowered children will grow up to change the world!

Let the games BEGIN!

The goal of making this model sustainable in Swaziland is to honour and educate those who care for the children and to provide them with the necessary tools and renewed inspiration to infuse each and every Swazi child with something vital - joyful and creative play!

The Empowered African Child Conference

25 JUNE 2011, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

THOKOZA ANGLICAN CONFERENCE CENTRE, PHOLINJANE ROAD MBABANE, SWAZILAND

7 Days I leave for AFRICA and I am FREAKED!

Dear Family, Friends and Loved Ones!

Thank you so very much for all your love and friendship! It is because of your dedication and belief in my work that the tour with The Big Little Caravan of Joy is actually happening! I am only 7 days from my departure for my three month adventure in Africa. I am flabbergasted, overwhelmed, scared and excited all at the same time!

My African Tour will travel to:
Swaziland, June 10th - 24th (100 educators, 300 kids)
South Africa, June 25th - July 17th (350 child care workers, 250 kids)
Zimbabwe, July 18th - July 30th (40 child care workers, 200 kids)
Ghana, July 31st- August 21st (20 educators, 250 kids)

In total:
1,500 Participants (Including all conference participants, children and educators)
50 African artists hired
13 Canadians volunteering
4 Countries in 3 months ... OH MY GOODNESS!!

The biggest news of course is my International Arts Conference in South Africa that will be taking place on July 1-3, 2011! This will be a HISTORIC EVENT IN ALL WAYS! This has never, ever happened before. 350 child care workers will be bussed to Durban to partake in a weekend conference. For many of these women they have never left their village or township before. For some, this will be the first time they see the ocean!! The Empowered Noah Child (ENC) and the EAC Conference in Swaziland is an international conference organized and directed by myself on behalf of Noah, PET and in conjunction with The Big Little Caravan of Joy. The goal of the conference is to embody the spirit of the performing arts, culture and play so as to give rise to the authentic and creative spirit of the Noah child. The programme has been created and designed specifically to inspire Child Activity Co-ordinators through the performing arts, and the magic of creative play in order to empower the young child. I am doing the same in Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Ghana too!

Please keep me in your prayers. It requires much grit, intrepidity and and will power to deliver this program to so many who live in challenging circumstances. My passionate purpose in creating light, where there is much darkness for small and vulnerable children, is much stronger than my lack of courage. For many times I am in utter disbelief with all that I have created and the whole thing can be quite intimidating!

I do hope that you will enjoy your summer! I send you a big hug from cyberspace.

Much Love,

Sarina

From the CEO of NOAH SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Conference Participant,

Welcome to the Noah Empowered Child Conference.

We are honoured to host you at our Noah Conference, a significant and historic event for us. Never before have nation-wide members of the Noah staff been united in one place to meet, mingle and learn – we hope there will be many more such opportunities. We have teamed up with the vivacious Sarina Condello, founder of The Big Little Caravan of Joy, who will facilitate our time together along with an impressive array of speakers and performing artists to educate and empower us in our efforts to invest in the future of each Noah child.

This conference was born from the realisation that we need to empower and instil a sense of joy and confidence in Noah children, not merely investing in their social welfare. The children of today hold tomorrow in their hands. Through our making a difference today, they will reap the rewards into the future. We need to make sure their childhood is balanced, joyful and positive. Where their spirit is shredded, let us mend it. Where their hope is destroyed, let us recreate it. Where they have sorrow, let us bring them happiness. Where they are vulnerable, let us protect them. And let us teach them that they can own their own future. Too many children have to endure pain and disillusionment due to their circumstances, and if through our work, we can set our children on a path of upliftment and joy, we will begin to see a shift in the communities we serve.

Critical role-players to bring about this shift are Noah’s child care workers and ark managers, who dedicate themselves to caring for the well-being of our children. The hours devoted to caring for the vulnerable are many, and so often the burden is overwhelming, but we acknowledge here that they are the catalysts for change.

Our conference will allow for the spirit of every child we serve to be revived - giving them the freedom to be the children they are, the knowledge that they have the right to play, and the understanding that even through their trials and tribulations, there is happiness to be found. Our child care workers and ark managers will also benefit from a renewed sense of hope and joy.

Noah would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Sarina Condello for her fundraising for and facilitation of this conference, as well as the infectious and continued energy that she brings to the greater project. We would also like to thank USAID and PEPFAR for their financial and material support of the conference, and each and every organiser, sponsor, donor, speaker and performer who has given of their time and/or resources to help us invest in the Noah child. Further gratitude is extended to participants and guests external to Noah whom we hope will enjoy, contribute to and take something away from the conference. Lastly, and unequivocally, we would like to thank the Noah staff who are here to learn from and to grow during this unique conference, and who will take this knowledge back to the communities we serve thereafter.

Our aim over the next 2 days is, through the power of the arts, to reinforce the importance and relevance of playful experiences for the Noah child, to expand the skills of the Noah child care workers and Ark managers and to empower them with renewed understanding and meaning in working with children. It takes just one small spark to light a roaring fire!

Karen Krakowitzer

CEO, Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity

_______________

My Caravan of Joy in ACTION!

Thanks to Darren Sheared for editing this small video of my work!

My lOGOS for my AFRICAN TOUR 2011!

My Biggest Tour YET!

3 weeks to go!


In 3 weeks I will leave Canada to deliver the following program to the children, artists and childcare workers of Swaziland, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana!

THE EMPOWERED AFRICAN CHILD (EAC)CONFERENCE and the Empowered Noah Child ( ENC) Conference is a National Conference organized and directed by me in association with my non-profit organization, THE BIG LITTLE CARAVAN of JOY (BLCJ). The goal of this conference is to embody the spirit of the performing arts, as well as Swazi Culture and play, in order to give rise the the true spirit of the young African child. It is created and 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.



The intention in the end is to empower and instill a sense of joy and confidence in each and every Swazi child. The EAC Conference will utilize the countries’ best performing artists, educators, government officials, NGOs and celebrities to create a strong voice in the investment of the African Child. Culminating with a great performances by world renowned performing artists, the conference will be a model around the globe on innovative ways to reach a child population that is in desperate need of joy. It is through this important dialogue with PERFORMING ARTISTS, EDUCATORS, NGOs and CHILD CARE WORKERS that child spirit will prevail and thrive in the future!

In addition to the scheduled conferences and meetings, the conference will also showcase performances with professional and child troupes from around Swaziland, which will serve as a grand reminder of the talent and gifts that the country has to offer. It will also put into place future arts based education for marginalized communities including: psychosocial support for orphans and vulnerable children through the Swazi, artists residency programs and follow-up residencies, creative arts camps, and local skills capacity development for educators, community care workers, and local African artists.

Without the help of US AID, PEPFAR, NOAH SOUTH AFRICA, FRIENDS OF NOAH CANADA, BEDFORD PARK PLAYERS, SUMMERHILL PLAYERS, KRISTI HEROLD, KEVIN SULLIVAN, NICKY POTTER and many other generous donors this journey would not be possible!

Conference topics will include:

The Power of the Arts The Performing Arts and HIV Education: Does it Work?

Creativity and the Child

Bullying and Ways to Stop It

Cooperative Games

Classroom Management

Teaching the Academics through the Arts

What is Child Spirit?

A Dream for the Future; A dialogue with Artists, NGO’s and Educators

Simple Songs to Delight the Child

Culture and its Impact on Community

Clowning and Humour as a Tool for Educating the Child

Art as Psycho/Social Therapy Stress

Reducing Techniques for the Educator, Child Care Worker and Performing Artist

Indigenous Culture and its Impact on Community

Count down begins! 20 days before departure!

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!

of being an artiste

Aloha,

I am just recovering from the most creative explosion ever, one that has left me utterly exhausted and wanting just wide open emptiness. Soon my boredom will have hit its edge and I will begin my new journey- an odyssey once again into the unknown. I am somewhat unnerved to what will unravel in the next two years.. I hold my breath and PLUNGE in, knowing that it will be sometime before I pop up to a Big Sky once again.

Dr, Hen Lew will be my new mentor. This Hawaiian Shaman will teach me the process of Hooponopono in August. Traditionally this healing method would have all Polynesian community members sitting around in a circle working out the problem or challenge together. In this newer system, designed by the late Morrnah of Hawaii, everything is handled by you and the divinity. In process all living beings have a substance that surrounds them made from “ AKA threads”. These threads are elastic and sticky and can stretch to great distance without breaking. These threads also act like lines of electricity or telephone wires carrying and acting as a conductor of a vital force. Through repetition of thoughts, feelings and actions these threads begin to braid themselves and then turn into strong cords. I am looking forward to learning more.

Almost two films under my belt have left me questioning the plight of a documentary film maker. Alone are we, penniless and embarking on territory travelled by only a few. I love it and despise it all at once, which neutralizes it in the end!

Thank You Tanzania has seen it's glory! Brian Noon did an extraordinary job in editing the movie. It runs 91 minutes. Five festivals, one award this film the premise of creating this documentary was to capture the beauty, vulnerability, and creative spirit of the children and youth from Tanzania and Canada as they interact with one another through their exploration of the arts. The intended audience is for children, youth and families in North America in order to encourage awareness about the art of compassion and the importance of helping others, in this case the children orphaned by AIDS in Tanzania. It is the intention of this documentary to elevate the African AIDS Orphans from problematic victims to unique individuals with creative abilities hopes and dreams. I will have a screening of Thank You Tanzania at 555 Mount Pleasant Road on October 6th, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m. Please do come!

This flick created a foundation for the second documentary titled: Vintage Groove; a film that profiles my lovely senior dancers. Together we travelled afar and participated in the most extraordinary festival called theTogbi Apetorku Spring Festival - a celebration of life, good health and prosperity. Along with internationally renowned good friend and Master Drummer, Kwasi Dunyo and my camera crew- Darren Shearer and Summer Love accompanied the group to Africa. At the heart of my film lays a message about the collective joy expressed in communal dance and how dance has enriched their lives as they age gracefully. Do see the article in Canadian Jewish News, July 17th, 2008 re: Seniors Dance Troupe Performs in Ghana.

My work in Montreal will begin this fall. Commuting weekly, I will be directing a children's stage production of The Sound of Music. Last spring Darren and I resurrected Equilibrio at the Priory, a wonderful private school in Westmount. Our Hilo Production company will return in the spring to mount Purple River, a mystical tale about the Mitzus and Yochis, creatures that lived in peace and harmony on the Island of Seisei. I look forward to connecting to the community there. They are so appreciative for the arts. It is a joy to be create and direct in the province of Quebec. I also plan to present a few workshops for teachers in Montreal and Winnipeg in the month of November and February.

On November 30, 2008 I will be producing and directing the Second Annual Vintage Variations; a cabaret show that profiles the creativity and talents of a senior population. Giuseppe Condello will present The Little Tailor, The Vintage Dancers will perform 2 dances and special guests will keep the audience bopping for the entire evening. All money raised will go towards an education program for girls in the village of Dagbamete.

During the summer of 2009 and 2010 I will be directing a program in Africa called The Big Little Caravan of Joy. During the first summer I will be mapping a route and creating connections in order to host the program with volunteers and artists in 2010. The caravan will hit 6 countries in Africa travelling to Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania, Swaziland, Mali, South Africa and will end in Madagascar. The Big Little Caravan intends to create a cultural cohesion in performance and celebration with performing artists and children. The visiting caravan will collaborate with artists from the hosting country to create an experience much like a performing arts summer camp for the children. With a veritable who's who from the world of entertainment lending their name to the project in conjunction with the American foundation Circus Remedy (Anthony Lucero and Chrisse Harnos- love those two) and myself this project has the opportunity to develop a sustainable educational and creative program that will last for many years to come. The Camp Scheme will run for one-two weeks, very much like a traditional arts camp, with an intention to create a performance. The final day will be dedicated to rehearsing for the circus show performed by both children and circus performers. An original children’s story, song and art project that evolves around one theme will act as a spring board for the performance and will be narrated by a story teller in the language of the hosting country. This is a big one for me and I hold the vision with love, commitment and joy.

Can I do it all? Run my performing art studio, promote and complete the life of 2 docs, design, fund raise and fascilitate the most intense project of my lifetime. Only time will tell. I remain in love with life's adventures, filled with curiosity and bursting with gratitude at the honour of being a mother of 3 tremendous teens, director of film & theatre, dancer and artiste!

Peace out,

Sarina