Brentford - based charity and a Rainbow of Hope

South African children bring a message of hope on World AIDS Day

Brentford-based charity MADaboutART is to bring twelve young people from one of South Africa’s poorest townships to London to display a Rainbow of Hope for World AIDS Day, December 1st 2005 in Trafalgar Square.

Never having been in a plane before or even travelled as far as Cape Town, this trip is a dream come that will enable the children to speak to the world through their art as well as experience the unique culture, diversity and history of Britain’s capital city. In Trafalgar Square the children will meet for the first time the young people from the Prince’s Trust XL group in Goole with whom they have collaborated remotely to create the Rainbow. Invited groups from London’s schools and Girl Guiding UK will visit the Rainbow and add their handprints as a sign of solidarity in the fight against HIV & AIDS.

Whilst in London the group will receive the international ‘Do you Care?’ award at the HIV Hero Awards on November 25th in recognition of their work teaching other children how to protect themselves from HIV & AIDS. They will also be guests of honour at a reception on November 29th hosted by city financiers KPMG to mark world AIDS Day.

Other activities the group will undertake are

o Guest performances of their song ‘Make A Difference’ with BBC’s Sadie Nine the HIV Hero Awards on November 25th and at the Actors Church on November 27th where they will join stars of west end musicals to raise money for HIV & AIDS education and support.
o A drama workshop with the cast of Disney’s The Lion King, many of whom are South African
o A guided tour of the Houses of Parliament with Neil Gerrard MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS
o Visits to local schools to meet with students and launch a programme of international communication
o An audience with the South African High Commissioner at South Africa House
o Sightseeing and educational activities including a trip on the London Eye, visits to museums and significant sites including the Natural History Museum and Tower of London

The kids will record their experiences of a new city, new people with a ‘kid cam’ or digital camera.

19 Nov 2005