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Project Report highlights:
The Mango Tree Orphan Support Programme
 The
Mango Tree is an outreach programme in southern Tanzania, helping
orphans to deal with both the trauma of losing parents and the poverty-stricken
lives that tend to follow. They help those children to gain access
to vital medical and psychological support, as wellas the education
and training they need to build self-reliant futures for themselves.
The programme presented to The Funding Network initially in November
2002, and was then asked to return - after a vote amongst members
- in July 2004 and March 2006.
"It would be impossible to under-estimate the enormous difference
that The Funding Network's support has made. In November 2002, we
were only two months old and trying to provide basic help to about
250 children. You provided the 'seed funding' that gave us the confidence
to succeed and grow, and now, with your continued help, we are helping
nearly 6,0000 orphans to transform their futures."
"The consistency of TFN's donations has enabled us grow
both the breadth and depth of a key part of the programme. For example,
initially TFN funded our purchase and distribution of uniforms,
allowing hundreds of orphans - who would otherwise miss out on any
education at all for want of a few pounds - the opportunity to go
to primary school. TFN also funded the fees for 50 secondary school
children: probably the most long term impact we can provide. We
were then able to move on, still with TFN funding, to give some
of those secondary school leavers training in tailoring, so that
they now enjoy proper employment making better quality and cheaper
uniforms for thousands of other orphans. So the cycle of development
becomes a virtuous circle, and that is only possible with donor
support over a prolonged period of time." Bob Dowson, Mango
Tree trustee.
For more information about The Mango Tree click here
Changing Tunes
Changing Tunes offers a wide range of musical education to
all prisoners, of any ability. We give beginners a strong foundation
on which to build, and encourage more experienced musicians to develop
their skills and widen their knowledge, in a relaxed and friendly
environment.
Changing Tunes presented at our Jan 05 Funding Evening and then
reported back at our Dec 05 Funding Evening. They used the TFN grant
to fund Gareth, their musician in residence, to continue his work
in Erlestoke and Guys Marsh prisons for a further year. This included
1 day a week for each of the two prisons, including preparation
and travel.
 "During
the last 12 months Changing Tunes has made significant progress.
Over the year we have worked with more prisoners than any previous
year, held more concerts both inside and outside prison, increased
the number of hours worked in prison, obtained funding for a new
full time Director, appointed a new full time Director, enabled
a persistent offender to raise funds for training that could lead
to work, recorded 2 CD's, been filmed by the BBC and ITV West and
won 15 Koestler awards. These achievements have only been possible
through the funding TFN provided for Gareth, their Musician in Residence
at Leyhill, Erlestoke and Guys Marsh prisons. Gareth is an extremely
talented musician and singer, playing Drums, guitar and bass to
professional standard. He also understands the technical side of
recording and has fast become the 'recording' expert with Changing
Tunes. His all round musical abilities have enabled him to create
a sense of common purpose leading to relationships based on trust
and respect. It is particularly encouraging that these relationships
are then being maintained post release when ex-prisoners perform
at Changing Tunes promotional concerts."
For more information about Changing Tunes visit www.changingtunes.org.uk
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