To all Mema Arts Followers,

Recently Mema Arts (my arts organisation) spent 2 weeks back home in Zimbabwe working with 24 young people teaching them different arts, mbira making etc in a one off event funded by the British Council and working alongside Many Studios in Glasgow.

Since coming back I have been reflecting on how I can develop Mema Arts back in Zimbabwe and give back to my community. I want to give an opportunity to young people interested in the arts to be able to develop their skills and go on to performing their chosen talents in events around Zimbabwe, across Africa and even internationally.

To do this I think the key is building a foundation back in my community with materials and equipment for the young people to use, artists to teach with and young acts to perform with.

Doing this project back home has given me the clear vision of what I want Mema Arts to be and my primary goal is to raise enough funds to buy equipment to see this become a reality.

The funds I raise will provide:

- a set of Marimba (xylophone)
- 2 sets of congas
- 30 Mbiras (nyunga nyunga)
- a small PA system

This will allow young people to learn, practise, perform and anybody from my community in Bulawayo will be able to access this equipment.

I'm sending this email to everybody I have worked with over the years, in festivals, workshops, schools, choirs, singing groups,friends and fellow music enthusiasts to see if you would be able to help me raise these funds. Even just as little as £10 would go a long long way to helping me establish something I have always dreamed of since the first time I came over to this country.

Please let me know if you would like to make a contribution and i can send bank details across.

Thank you so much for your continued support and love for the arts in my country, the lives that this opportunity could help touch in the future is insurmountable.

AMANDLA

Bruce Ncube
Director of Mema Arts