Zulu warriors drum up support from Romford

ROMFORD children and residents joined a dance and drum workshop at St Mark's church with the help of visitors from Christian Aid partner organisation KCAP in South Africa.

St Mark's weekly Wednesday workshop was taken over with a South African vibe when 30 youngsters had the chance to dance and drum with Lucky and Chris from KCAP.

The evening started with the children making drums and they then learnt some to
play some African beats and even took part in some energetic Zulu dancing.

All of these fun activities were combined with an opportunity to learn about some of the most serious
issues in South Africa such as drugs and crime. Through music and dance, KCAP are
helping young people to combat these problems.

Kaya, 10, said: "This was the best night ever, I loved the dancing." Then the adults and Revd Roger Gayler, vicar of St Mark's, had the chance to talk to Chris and Lucky and join in the warrior dancing.

"It has been a very inspiring evening. The young people here in our area face similar issues of drugs and crime and violence and we would love to reach them in this way. I wish KCAP would
stay and start a project here," said another member of the audience.

"To make them listen you need to speak their language and every young person in South Africa loves music. It is part of our lives," said Chris.

KCAP was founded in 1993 in order to empower disadvantaged young people in arts and multi-media skills to increase career opportunities and practical knowledge in a sustainable way.

Christian Aid, which has a door-to-door charity collection week from May 11-17, was the first organisation to provide regular financial support to KCAP as they recognised their vision. The young people discovered and trained by KCAP have moved on to become musicians and producers nominated for African music awards and professional dancers in hit Broadway shows such as London's ‘The Lion King'.

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