Tribute to African children (TAC) is a charity-development and relief agency working towards alleviating poverty, sickness, and homelessness of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Africa. Our aim is to work in partnership with communities and organisations in order to help them become self sufficient. We can accomplish this by supporting projects which aim to build and run schools, orphanages and medical centres. Other projects we are interested in include agricultural development, the provision of water and other general relief aid.

TAC believes that children in Africa have the same basic human rights to education, accommodation, clean water, sustenance and health care as any other child.

TAC is totally committed to the preservation of the environment. The projects we develop will incorporate the use of natural solar energy which will reduce CO2 emissions. This is part of our vision of an environmentally friendly Africa. We will also use recyclable materials whenever possibly.  

Tribute to African children (TAC) was set up in September 2006. TAC is a registered charity- TAC  Registration number 1116124

Tribute to African Children’s objectives are:

 1) To alleviate homelessness, poverty, sickness and distress of children in Africa, in particular the Ashanti region of Ghana through the advancement of education, provision of water, building work programs and promotion of health care initiatives.

2) To promote volunteering by people in the UK by providing advice and support.

Background information

In November 2005 Neville Brown visited Ghana where he witnessed much suffering and distress. Many children were alone and desperate living on the streets without regular food, water or shelter;  innocent victims who suffer as a result of the deprivation   Neville  realised that without education and aid the children would not be able to break free from poverty. He realised that many projects working with the children lacked the necessary infrastructure that would be needed to make them successful.

On his return to England Neville discussed these issues with like minded people who together wanted to make a difference, as a result TAC was born

During its first year TAC has been busy building a solid foundation from which to launch it’s future works.

Fund raising

Fund raising activities have begun in earnest; here are some of the events that have already taken place:

Redditch Town Centre
26th May 2007

Talking Drums held an all day drumming circle at Redditch town centre where individual drummers were sponsored and members of the public joined in and gave donations.

The Union Bar held through SOAS (University of London School of Oriental and African Studies) at the Institute of Education, Thornhaugh St, Russell Sq. WC1 OXG

 FRIDAY 1st DECEMBER.

A night of fun and music with:

Shekere - bounce to those beats
Sekgura Ensemble - xylophone melodies
Sleepy Ed Hicks & the Snorers
Neville Brown - roots reggae pulses
Planetman - frontman of festival favourites
Asafo - rhythmic poet with a melodious kick
Zongo - an 8- piece with their own distinctive sound, bringing together Afro-beat, hi-life and rock.
The Kakatsitsi Master Drummers - from Ghana, resident drummers at the Synergy Centre London

The music kicked off at 7pm.  Bass6 - beat box sensation - hosted the evening at another top Camden venue. He introduced the fabulous Sekgura Ensemble, a forest of xylophones and rhythm.

An interlude of comedy, comment and country pickin’ banjo and fiddle from Sleepy Ed Hicks & the Snorers took us into an unplugged set from Neville Brown, charismatic reggae singer/songwriter and co-founder of “Tribute to African Children”.
Madness from Shekere, led by one of the best West African drum teachers in England.
The night was brought to a close with some moving chanting.

Drum jam led an exciting drumming circle

South Birmingham College November 2006

Young people attending the pre sixteen unit ( for various reasons they are unable to attend main stream school) raised an amazing £1,000 through various fund raising activities.

Kingsley Theatre,
Redditch
15th September 2006

Reggae artist Neville Brown & a host of other performers gave their time freely, taking to the stage to raise money for the children of Africa. An evening of diverse music & comedy, which delivered something for everyone! It was a great night's entertainment with all proceeds going to TAC.

Neville Brown and Biri performing at the Big K

TAC is currently considering supporting the 'See the Sky Project',  who are hoping to build a residential home and school in Atebubu, Ghana for children with special needs.

Before committing ourselves fully representatives from TAC will visit Ghana later this year to undertake a full feasibility study. Please check back for further updates, we will keep you informed of all progress.

Talking Drums

Talking drums was set up as a social enterprise in June 2006 the company facilitates Personal Development groups using the African drum as an expression tool. The groups address confidence building, stress and anger management, cultural awareness and team building involving people of all ages, abilities and cultures in both group and one to one consultations. Talking Drums is donating a percentage of their earnings to Tribute to African. 

www.talking-drums.co.uk

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Gig for Ghana
An incredible night with an African twist!
Friday 1st December: 6pm - 12pm
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-- A Night of Fun and Music!
-- Experience a Drum Jam! with Drum Jam Facilitators Dear shruti, Gig for Ghana is an event to raise money for the fledgling charity "Tribute to African Children" (reg.1116124) held through SOAS (University of London School of Oriental and African Studies) at the Union Bar, Institute of Education, Thornhaugh St, Russell Sq. WC1 OXG on FRIDAY 1st DECEMBER.

A night of music, food, drink and mayhem!

Event Highlights: Kakatsitsi Master Drummers from Ghana
Planetman - instant impact
Zongo - rhythm beats insanity
Drumjam - free open drumming session - try it for yourself!
Bass6 - beat box sensation
Shekere - bounce to those beats
Sekgura Ensemble - xylophone melodies
Sleepy Ed Hicks & the Snorers
Neville Brown -roots reggae pulses

Entry: £5 (£3 conc.)

A Night of Fun and Music!
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Be there in the Union Bar from 6pm, for traditional food and stalls of batik, art and clothing with an African flavour.

The music kicks off at 7 with workshops from drum circle pioneers Drumjam,
Bass6 - beat box sensation - on his way to host the evening at another top Camden venue. He introduces the fabulous Sekgura Ensemble, a forest of xylophones and rhythm.
An interlude of comedy, comment and country pickin’ banjo and fiddle from Sleepy Ed Hicks & the Snorers takes us into an unplugged set from
Neville Brown, charismatic reggae singer/songwriter and co-founder of “Tribute to African Children”.
Then we break for an auction of work from designer Annagret Affolderbach, winner of the Design4Life Ghana award, who’ll be donating some of the proceeds.
Back to the music with a special acoustic set from Planetman - frontman of festival favourites “Planetman and the Internationalz” - plus guests.
Asafo, rhythmic poet with a melodious kick, sets the stage for some drum and song madness from Shekere, led by one of the best West African drum teachers in England - guaranteed to make you bounce!
Next up, Zongo, an 8- piece with their own distinctive sound, bring together Afro-beat, hi-life and rock.
Bringing the night to a close the Kakatsitsi Master Drummers from Ghana, resident drummers at the Synergy Centre, will take us home with funky traditional rhythms and 5-part chanting.
The Charity: Tribute to African Children (reg.1116124) is a new charity. Our long-term vision is to build and sustain an orphanage in Accra, Ghana. We’re raising money for one of our first projects - to set up a regular and ongoing feeding programme for street children. We’re in action on the bigger picture as well: land has already been donated for the orphanage.

Hear their music, find out about other gigs and stay in touch on:
www.thesynergyproject.org
www.zongo.co.uk
www.myspace.com/rhythmandbass
www.shekere.com
www.myspace.com/ballalouda
www.myspace.com/planet7
asafo9@hotmail.com
www.myspace.com/nevillebrown
www.drumjam.co.uk
www.fredwoodbear.com
www.tonal.org.uk

Travel: Institute of Education, Thornhaugh St, Russell Sq WC1 OXG (By SOAS)
Tube: Russell Sq (Picadilly Line) Bus: 7, 10, 24, 29, 59, 68, 73, 88, 134, 168, 188, 190

Friday 1st December V Central, V convenient!

See you there! :P
Click here for map

Experience a Drum Jam! with Drum Jam Facilitators
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Quick Links...
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Our Website Other Drum Jam Events Shop Rhythm for Life Article

Contact Information
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email: info@drumjam.co.uk
phone: 0870 1993264
web: http://www.drumjam.co.uk