THEATRE VERSUS OPPRESSION
Registered Charity SC039092

January 2010 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

Thank you to all who helped us. I am totally speechless. It is hard to put down what is my mind. You have strengthened our hope for the future; you have loved us without expecting anything in return. I don't know how to precisely define what I feel "hope, happiness, inspiration, love?" it's amazing. We will never forget you for this. (Joseph Munyambanza, Kyangwali Refugee Camp)

On behalf of Theatre versus Oppression I would like to wish you a very happy and prosperous 2010. We ended 2009 having reached our goals and beyond with the charity thanks to the incredible support of so many amazing groups and individuals.  Words cannot begin to describe the outpouring of support we have received for the Kyangwali project. With completed funds due to come through in the next week or so we will not only have reached our goal to erect the school building, we will also be able to support the Anti-Violence group setting them up with sewing machines and other necessary materials so they can begin work that will produce a small but significant income for them. In addition ten children (to date) will be supported by volunteers on the Right to Learn project. We warmly welcome anyone else who is interested in stepping forward to support a child on this project. And all of this was achieved in just three short months thanks to the collaborative efforts of so many.

It's a miracle to me I don't know how you did it. As I am writing this e-mail sometimes I make pauses, put my hands on my head and think a bit about what you have done…We are going to do a big work because you have done the biggest work. What I know that the time you come you will see the fruit of your love towards our community. (Wereje Benson, Kyangwali Refugee Camp)

This money will make such a difference to the lives of many in Kyangwali and help build a better future. But with the school building on its way to being built, in many ways our work is just beginning. Our plans for 2010 are starting to take form.  We will keep you informed on our website as the school and our other work in Kyangwali develops.

It is our hope to travel to Kyangwali in the summer of his year to run more workshops and training activities. With this and the other work TVO is involved in we have a busy year ahead.  Starting with a theatre project later this month, which will run for the year ahead called ‘What Happened Next?’ (see www.theatreversusoppression.com/whnext.htm), the year will be full of projects, activities and fund raising projects. We are also launching a ‘Climb Mount Kilimanjaro’ project this month (see www.theatreversusoppression.com/kilimanjaro2011.htm) - the actual climb will take place in February 2011 but those interested need to sign up in the next few months. If you would like any further information on this or any other activities we are involved in please look at the website or email us at theatreversusoppression@gmail.com. We also have a dinner and mini auction coming up in Cardiff in February so please come along if you are in  or near the area. Tickets are already on sale so book soon! (see www.theatreversusoppression.com/febdinner.htm) And finally we have a number of training courses within and outside of the UK and while some dates are being finalised at present, many are already confirmed and open for registration (see www.theatreversusoppression.com/uprojects.htm)  Please email if you would like further details or a registration form.

TVO is a small charity that survives and does the work it has because of the support of so many people; we have limited funding and are dependant on our own fund raising activities and the generosity of others to make these projects happen.  That generosity has been overwhelming and enabled not only TVO to survive but also is now resulting in growth and development in an often forgotten refugee camp in Uganda.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us. One of my 2010 New Year resolutions is to try to get these newsletters out more regularly so hopefully this is a good start to the year!

Jennifer Hartley

Founder & Director Theatre versus Oppression (registered charity sc039092)

With special thanks to….

There are so many to thank and in doing so my greatest fear is forgetting any individual but there are some without whose help this money would never have been raised: the students of Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland, the students of the International School of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and their teacher Matt Lynch, the students of the International School of Atlanta in the USA and their teacher Rob Warren, the students of the International school of Toulouse in France and their teacher George Fearnehough, the students of the International School of Geneva (La Chataigneraie campus) in Switzerland and their teacher Mike Pasternak, the students of Marymount High School in England, the BG Group and their LTI (Lost Time incident) free charity donation incentive, The Zich Trust (SC037627), St. Leonard’s Third World Group, The ESG Robinson Charitable Trust, the Hartley family, Suzanne Phillips, Christopher J Rees, Paddy ‘the clown’, Sherri Sutton and Shireen Clark. There are so many others who helped along the way and sincere apologies for any group or individual omitted here.

I would also like to thank all those who donated their football boots and strips for the refugee camp and all those who set up collection points for this, in particular Justin Thomson, Suzanne Rowlands and the Wick football club, and Adele Mansell and Pontypridd Town AFC.