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The Dondi Project Steering Committee Update & Summary
:: November 20, 2010 ::
When the Dondi Project was initiated in the spring of 2009, the Steering Committee identified four broad aims:
- Enliven, strengthen and unite the men of the United Church of Canada
- Raise $1 million to rebuild the Lutamo School at Dondi in Angola
- Raise $100,000 (10%) for the United Church of Canada's M&S Fund
- Inspire a renewed spirit of learning and sharing through community drumming events
Now that the Dondi Project event tours and the Drumathon are completed, the Steering Committee wishes to share with Drumathon Animators, enthusiasts and donors a report of the project’s accomplishments and plans for its future.
We are pleased to report the following:
- Prior to the Drumathon in October 2010, donations for the Dondi Project totalled $160,000.
- To date, $60,000 has been raised through the Drumathon itself, bringing the project total to approximately $220,000 (cllick here for stories about the Drumathon).
- Since the Drumathon, more donations have been received.
- A donor has generously pledged to ensure that project costs are covered and that his gift will be received by March 31, 2011.
- 90% of all funds raised through donations ($220,000 and growing) will go directly to our partners in Angola for the rebuilding of the Lutamo School, and 10% will go to support the M&S Fund.
- There are ongoing efforts to raise additional funds from foundations and other sources.
- United Church of Canada staff person, Wendy Gichuru, is now responsible for managing the United Church’s relationship with IECA in Angola and will be our liaison with the church.
While it is clear that we have not met our audacious financial goal of $1 million raised, the funds that will be received by our partners in Angola will go a long way towards rebuilding a school for the young people that have been at the heart of our fundraising efforts. Equally as significant, we know from your reports and stories that a renewed spirit of learning and sharing has been inspired in many communities across the country through drumming and other community events. We are convinced from what we’ve experienced across the country that the project has helped to enliven and strengthen the men of our church.
We are grateful to the Rev. Lloyd Paul who offered leadership to this project from its inception until his departure from General Council Offices on July 31st, 2010. Lloyd’s departure was the result of a mutual agreement among all parties and his continued support of the project and deep affinity for our friends in Angola is greatly appreciated.
Between now and March 31, 2011, we will continue to seek donations to increase the total funds available to send to Angola. No new project expenses will be incurred, so all new donations will increase the total available for our partners.
We hope that you will join us in celebrating a successful national United Church fundraising initiative. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the AOTS (As One That Serves) organization whose members were instrumental in this achievement. The Abbey North Drummers, their talents and devotion to the effort, were central to our strategy and the successes we achieved.
We anticipate that the United Church men’s organizations will decide to keep this project and all its wonderful new relationships alive beyond March 31st, so stay tuned.
For more information, please contact our Steering Committee or send a message to dondidrumathon@gmail.com. To inquire about booking Abbey North Drummers for a Dondi event contact Chris Cullen (phone and email below).
Dondi Project Steering Committee
Jim Patterson – Co-Chair - (647) 274-1891 or jkp@interlog.com
John Patterson – Co-Chair – jpatterson@abbeynorth.ca
Allan Reeve, Bill Love, George Bishop, Harvey Douglas, Jim McKibbin, Jim Upright
Dondi Project Support
Barry ‘Bazza’ Hayward, Chris Cullen and Joe Truss of Abbey North Drummers:
705-854-0362 or zetaechriscullen@yahoo.ca
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