Helloo! I have been offered an opportunity to go to Burkina Faso, West Africa with International Service in April. I will be involved in projects for disabled adults/children and womens rights, in and around the capital Ouagadougou. My main role will be to work for a charity called Kabeela in the rural town Ziniare, to help fight poverty and promote equal rights and education for women (main photo shows one of the Kabeela project leaders) Tasks will involve conducting campaigns using music, art and theatre workshops to raise awareness and empower the areas most vulnerable people.

But before I go I have to raise at least £800 for the United Nations Association International Service.They are an International development charity, protecting and promoting the rights of the most marginalised people in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and not forgetting, the increasing number here in the UK. I applied for a place with International Service through a great scheme called ICS run by The Department for International Development.

I will also be doing some intense baking & busking in Newcastle to try and raise some extra money!

Burkina Faso is known for it's colourful cuIture, amazing music and hand crafted instruments, and most recently, their footy team! But It is one of the poorest countries in the world, and faces a number of problems including climate change, disease, human rights issues, corruption and trafficking.The landlocked country has suffered from recurring droughts and, until the 1980s, military coups.The majority of disabled people live in extreme poverty and suffer huge stigma. Families with a disabled member don’t have the means to pay for expensive treatment, rehabilitation, respite or education. 

Charities seem to be having a hard time at the moment, and need all the help they can get. But instead of the classic "pounce and chug" technique, I have gone for a less predatory fundraising approach! I know alot of you are pretty skint, so just feel free to give whatever you can, your generosity will not go unnoticed!

Cheers for visiting, and I hope you feel a little bit warmer inside for giving some thought or any spare change to a great cause! THANKS bye x

(p.s below are some sort of relevant links that helped me decide to get involved with International Service over other organisations, and why I care about trying to promote the arts.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuZ0T10thnc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KarChRDf8mY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V4V6Lwbz-0

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/nov/14/orphans-cambodia-aids-holidays-madonna

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/27/music-banned-mali?INTCMP=SRCH

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/video/2013/feb/03/cuts-council-crisis-newcastle-video

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/16/newcastle-arts-cuts-disastrous-stars