Mbiras for Sale

by All

We have members of our Ancient Ways’ community who are moving and must sell everything. This includes a very nice pair of mbiras, made by Tendai Tapfumanei, an up-and-coming mbira maker being tutored by Cosmas’ standards. These mbiras are Nyamaropas in Magaya standard tuning, have a sweet sound, and would make a great pair for someone getting started. They are two sizes: one is smaller as 8.5” long, the other 9”. They are selling for $200 a piece. Depending where you live, there may be shipping costs.

Please contact Jaiaen at windgatherer@ancient-ways.org or 541-259-4673.

Special Needs Sponsorships for 2012!

by AllYouth Well Being

We are finding students who are very deserving of a chance at higher education within our Nhimbe for Progress and Jangano projects. It is unusual in Zimbabwe to find children from poor families who have been able to overcome the odds and make it academically. Please read on – you may have a way to assist them! Or check out www.ancient-ways.org/?page_id=338

Special Case Sponsorship - $990 – Tinashe Felix Chirisa
Tinashe’s grades in Form 4 were outstanding – receiving 7 A’s in a country where passing only 5 subjects gets you to the next grade. He recently lost his mother and so is considered an orphan by Zimbabwe standards. His father is a peasant farmer and his sister Benita, has been our Executive Assistant since 2007 (having graduated the University with Honors). He is described as a very hard working, responsible, well-mannered and trustworthy boy. Benita say “He is so brilliant not to continue”. He will not be able to attend the local Advanced level school because it does not offer science or have a laboratory for practical’s, so he will attend a boarding school (Form 5 and 6) to be able to continue studying in the area of his special gifts. A boarding school is a common solution for children who grow up in the rural area but show great promise and need that extra attention of a better school. We are interested in seeing him have a chance at contributing to the world in a significant way. He could begin immediately or the beginning of the next term as of May 2012. Can you help Tinashe realize his dream?

Special Case Sponsorship - $968 – Nyaradzai Shava
Nyaradzai Shava has an opportunity to start a 6 month accounting course (beginning now until the 1st of April 2012). She will be a chartered accountant after graduation. Nyaradzai is Febby Shava’s, our lead preschool teacher's daughter, and is age 21. Her previous grades highly qualify her for this course. Can you help Nyaradzai with this special training?

Special Case Sponsorship - $410 – Kuda Simeya
Kuda is the one Nhimbe student who graduated from the Matanha Secondary school, doing so with flying colors. He has found an Advanced level school in Harare where he could live with relatives. He is requesting assistance to be allowed to continue his education. Kuda is an unusual child to have made it through the rural system, as Matanha is not known for many graduates. He could begin immediately or the beginning of the next term as of May 2012. Are you able to send Kuda to a better school to continue his education?

Special Case Sponsorship - $130 Tinotenda Victoria Mujuru
Tinotenda has been sponsored through the Jangano project for several years and continues to excel. She attends Mary Magdalene Secondary boarding school and will graduate Form 4 this year thanks to a generous sponsor. At the end of March 2012, her Form 4 exam fees are due. To sit for the exams and graduate you must pay the fees. These exams are the climax of all of her studies to date. Tinotenda is Fradreck Mujuru’s daughter (he is the Jangano Project co-director for which he receives no remuneration). Are you able to help Tinotenda pay these examination fees?

Do you have it within your power to assist any of these students? We will be able to facilitate some letter and picture exchange between you and the student. Thank you for your taking the time to consider these unique young people!

Zimbabwe School Fees Now Due

by with No Comment AllProject UpdatesYouth Well Being

The new year is upon us and children are now in school in Zimbabwe. We are paying their school fees at the end of January. That is one week away! If you haven’t let us know that you would like to sponsor one or more children for our Youth Well Being Program (includes health education, medical care, school fees, extracurricular activities), please do so right away! Just yesterday I had to send an email to our teams in Zimbabwe with the worst possible news – that, based on current available funds, they will have to remove over 280 children from enrollment in school. If you have forgotten to notify us, please do so right away. These kids count on our help to go to school. Remember, any amount will help (see https://www.ancient-ways.org/?page_id=38 for background or https://www.ancient-ways.org/?page_id=1789 for online payments). Even if you can’t quite sponsor one child, if you can help at all, you will make a difference. Thank you!

Dance and Music Fundraiser in Eugene Dec 30th 7 p.m.

by with No Comment AllFundraisers

Please join us for the 10th Annual Dance for Africa Benefit at Cozmic Pizza tonight December 30! A great entertainment lineup includes Iche’le and the Circle of Light, Kamatama from Kenya, and Kudana Marimba. This benefits non-profits working in Africa including Ancient Ways,Tariro, and Friends of Kenya Schools and Wildlife. There will be African Arts and Crafts for sale. Come, dance and enjoy great food and drink!

2012 Marimba Classes

by with No Comment AllClasses

Marimba Classes are ongoing on Mondays (two levels of Intermediate classes, plus 5 year olds), and on Tuesdays (a youth class at 4, and adult advanced beginning at 7 pm). If you are a beginner and are interested, whether an adult or child, please feel free to email us. Potential beginning class times are Mondays at 7:30 in Albany, or Tuesday at 5:30 in Corvallis.

2011 Donation Reminder

by with No Comment AllProject Updates

There is still time to make your fully tax-deductible donation for 2011! By going to www.ancient-ways.org you can read about our partnership with Zimbabweans, which is uplifting rural residents and improving sub-standard living conditions, educational opportunities and access to health care. Contributions can be made directly online; Paypal can process your debit or credit card (by signing on as a Paypal guest). We are entering our 13th year and invite you to join us in making a grassroots’ difference! Please consider how you can be a part of this determined heartfelt and unified team effort – shinga moyo! Tatenda! Thank you!

Underwear for Over There Celebration!

by with No Comment AllProject UpdatesYouth Well Being

This 2011 video clip shows the joy of the girl guides who received 3 pair of panties in response to our "Underwear for Over There" Campaign. Many more girls received underwear but were not present at this Girl Guides Life Skills Learning Retreat in late August. In 2012, we our expanding the campaign to be "Underwear and Monthly Care for Over There" to help meet the personal health needs of our young women.

Nhimbe’s Marimba Team Performs at Local Schools

by with No Comment AllProject UpdatesYouth Well Being

Our Nhimbe Marimba team was invited to participate at the annual prize-giving day at two of our local primary schools visit homepage. Prize-giving days are an event held each year at schools in Zimbabwe to recognize the outstanding students. Some of our own Nhimbe students were among the recipients of the awards! Our boys and girls provided a marvelous performance! Normally they play marimba, sing, dance accompanied by drums and hosho. We were able to rent a truck for the cost of mileage reimbursement and get the marimbas moved easily. Not really sure how all of the children got to the schools but am assuming they walked since its a small truck. This great performance resulted in another invitation for the November 22nd at a Secondary school within about 20 kilometers from our Center. This will be another opportunity for the boys and girls to shine! We have written a grant requesting help with our Nhimbe marimba program from Zimfest Association and if we succeed we will be able to provide the marimbas with much needed restoration. Its very exciting to hear about the growth of the children and their ability to perform!