Summer News
Summer Ball
Well what a summer we have had so far this year. The annual ball raised a staggering £4500 and a good time was had by all. The Keady Irish Dancers set the tone for the evening with their high kicks and exceptional dance moves. These moves were later replicated on the dance floor by one or two revelers who clearly had a bit too much to drink as they did not quite have the same style and finesse.
Once again the food served was outstanding and the band played excellently. The feedback has been fantastic and I did not have to use my money back guarantee.
Special mention to our sponsors, for their wonderful auction prizes. Silver Experience, for donation of some fantastic pieces of Jewellery. Genesis cinema for their donation of a private cinema viewing. Monica Dan for a holiday villa in Sardinia.
In addition to the ball fund raising Dawn Bushnell ran a product sales day at her company HIT entertainment and raised £1100. Pearla Boyce completed her sponsored slim and raised £1048. We also received some anonymous donations to go towards our building fund.
2009 Volunteer Trip
This year’s trip leaves on the 24th of September and I am taking 11 volunteers this year. The guys and girls have been busy collecting, sports kit, toys, arts and crafts and to take out for the children.
We have had an absolutely phenomenal response from a wide variety of companies and organizations who are donating. Everything from musical instruments to sporting clothes. Special mention to John Richards who contacted the football youth league for Sussex and received over 400 shirts and shorts which were kindly donated. These shirts will be cherished by the kids in Botswana for years to come. We will feature pics of this year’s trip on the website in October.
If you are interested in coming along on next years trip, then please contact us early enough for an information and application pack so that you too may be considered, as we already have a waiting list.
This year we will continue with the mobile cinema at each of the orphanages and put on daily activities for the children.
We will also be having an opening ceremony of the PV house where we are planning on having a carnival party and evening bbq with local concert. This will take place on Botswana Independence day, so a double celebration for the kids.
Outstanding, Fundraising, Outstanding!!!!!!
Ella McNeill our 12 year old junior representative on our committee, this summer put together her own fund raising day, which involved a home bake and dog competition, followed up by car washing. This day Ella raised £170.45 which will go a long way towards helping the children. You can view Ella’s story here and see how she put together her fundraising day. http://www.simplesite.com/builder/pages/preview.aspx?pageid=10281798
Committee News
We have also had some changes to our committee;. Claire Jackson, who is currently taking a maternity break after the birth of her daughter Grace. Dave Moore, has moved back to South Africa to pursue business opportunities and personal interests. We thank Dave for his contribution in helping to set up PV. Claire will be back with us shortly.
I would also like to introduce two new committee members, Simon Hasler, who came to Botswana last year and Charles Takawira, their bio’s are on the committee page.
Fundraising
Our"Donate a Quid to help a Kid campaign". has generated 72 new donors over the last 2 months. Please pass on our details. The idea is to encourage everyone to go online to our just giving website, donate £1 or more and send the link onto as many of their friends as possible. Alternatively if you are feeling generous please click on the link here and give what you can.
http://www.justgiving.com/projectvolunteer/donate
and finally......
If you are new to this website and want to find out more or have any questions about Project Volunteer or wish to help in any way then please leave a message on the 'contact us' page.
On behalf of the committee, the children and SOSCV team in Botswana I would like to thank you for your continued support.
Kind regards
David Villa-Clarke