Bitone was founded in 2004 by a native Ugandan, Branco, in his mid-20's. He is still the current director and runs the orphanage out of a rented home where he can accommodate up to 25 children.
The orphanage for 8-18 year olds whose MISSION is to restore the lives and hopes of Ugandan children who are traumatized by the death of their parents or loss of their home due to disease, war, or economic hardship.
Their VISION is to do this by providing basic food and shelter, a nurturing environment, counseling, an academic education combined with a unique and strong performance program of traditional Ugandan dance, music, and theater, the children’s lives can again become meaningful and joyful.
Over the next couple of days, I will be posting some of the children's stories of how they came to live at Bitone so you can get to know who we will be working with more.
Here is a youtube video with performance and interviews from Bitone!
Bitone is a very organized non-profit and has a list of specific needs. We are going to try to collect some of these things, and money to go towards larger items they are in need of to bring over with us when we visit in December/January. If you would like to contribute in any way, please let us know, or feel free to mail items to our home (email me at abby@ryanhoodmusic.com if you need our home address)..thank you!!
Twin-size bedding for the bunkbeds and toiletries are two things that I want to focus on collecting to bring over...but feel free to look at the full list and see if there is something that catches your eye! Please don't feel any obligation to give anything...I just wanted to share with you another aspect of our trip that we are excited about!
(I was going to shorten their needs list and only include items I thought would be easiest for people to contribute in some way, but I realized that some of you may have connections to items I would have deleted...so the full list follows...)
BITONES SPECIFIC NEEDS:
1.Rent: Rent for Bitone Center is gradually becoming a challenge. At the moment Bitone pays over $315 every month including water and electricity bills.
2.Nutrition: Bitone seeks to make improvements, so that all children at the Center can maintain a balanced diet. Currently, the daily diet includes maize flour and rice.
3.Tuition and Scholastic Materials: On average, the children spend approximately $140 USD every term of study. This adds up to about $420 in a year, which becomes increasingly difficult to fund.
4.16 Bunk Beds: Last year, the Albion group in Michigan raised money which funded 9 bunk beds for the children. We hope to continue to raise funds, as others are sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
5.25 Mosquito Nets for the kids: A must to prevent against Malaria and other sickness.
6.Blankets, Bed Sheets and Mattresses for each child: At the moment kids are sharing beddings and unfortunately they are also wearing out.
7.Clothes for each child: Sanitary items [underwear’s, towels, bathing soap, shavers etc]
8.Sound Equipment for Bitone Performances: These include; amplifiers, sounds speakers [bass and treble], microphones, mixers, stage lights, microphone stands, cable wires, CD-player, generator etc
9.National and International Performance Opportunities: This will help generate more revenue for Bitone
10.Musical Instruments: The Uganda traditional instruments can only be purchased in Uganda. Others include; guitars, keyboards, violins, trumpets, flutes, saxophones.
11.Costumes: Most of the costumes used are traditionally made according to the authenticity of various cultural dances and CAN ONLY be purchased in Uganda. Other costumes needed for Bitone’s performances include; T-shirts [single colored e.g. white, red, blue, yellow etc], dancing shoes, shorts and trousers [single colored], bandanas, vests, stockings [long-heavy material].
12.Television Set with a DVD Player: This is for study purposes of our rehearsals and performance and also to act as part of source of entertainment for the kids.
13.Means of Transport: This will help reduce on travel expenses we incur during our performances and in other emergencies.
14.Medicine: Often, kids are struggling with different illnesses of malaria, flu, cold etc. A well stocked and permanent “Drug Kit’/”First Aid Box” would be ideal.
15.Volunteers: We are always in search of volunteers on to assist in short programs such as: counseling, training in arts, education, health services, domestic-related work plus other developmental workshops and seminars.
16.Security: This is needed both during day and night periods. Bitone rents a house which has no fence and is prone to trespassers.
17.Marketing of Bitone: Our mission and activities!
18.A Lighting system: This include back up electricity when power goes out, which happens quite frequently. This may include; a standby generator, solar system, large-seized lamps.
19.Video and Sound Recordings: for Bitone’s artistic works; dances, songs and/or other practical activities that are done at the center.
20.Indoor and Outdoor games for the kids: During leisure time, kids need to engage in such games for health purposes, and to boost the socialization.
Listen to them on myspace:
www.myspace.com/bitonetroupe
Check out their website:
www.bitonechildren.org
1 comment:
How great that you have the opportunity to do this. I'm sure the experience will be a gift for you and Ryan and for those you encounter there.
Love ya,
Mira
p.s.
I love your new layout!
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