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AFTER
SCHOOL TUTORING PROGRAM: Kpani Addy with youth members of GaGbekebii For several years Mr. Kpani Addy, Comice Addy and Cypress Knight have
been performing and teaching the traditional music, arts and cultures of Ghana to children and adults throughout the state
of Oregon, and now in Illinois. They have taught and performed in public schools, after school programs, Migrant
Head Starts, prisons, at-risk youth programs, colleges, and community education programs.
At the end of 2000,
Mr. Addy organized a Cultural Music and Dance Company in his native land called Ga Gbeke Bii “Children of Ghana”.
It is comprised of youth from the ages of 7 to 24 years who live in the ghetto of Accra Central. Professional
musicians, dancers, and acrobats direct and train the youth as well as perform with them. The youth are very talented performing
artist whose families struggle with poverty, lack of education and lack of health care. Many attend school irregularly
and several not at all because they do not have money to pay school fees. Mr. Addy arranged for a tutor to work with
both the children and adults on basic reading, writing and math skills. We support the troupe with daily meals as well as
classes and we pay as many school fees as we can get donations for. Each morning at 5:00 am the children come to the training
grounds to have a “koko” drink made of corn and chili pepper before attending classes. After class they have rehearsals
and then stay for their evening meal before returning to their families. Some children, who are homeless, sleep at the training
grounds cared for by adult members of the group.
The Cultural Music and Dance Company provides
the youth with a safe haven where they can interact and learn from positive role models. By giving these children our
time and commitment we have seen them blossom into an exceptional performance troupe. In return for our modest support the
troupe has shown remarkable dedication, enthusiasm and positive spirit – practicing five hours a day, six days a week.
Furthermore, our efforts have united the community in bringing many Master musicians, dancers and medicine people to
donate their time and talents for the youth-- training them in numerous traditional customs, songs and dances.
Ga Gbeke Bii, Children of Ghana has gained considerable recognition in the last year having performed for Ghanaian
President John Agyekum Kufuor and at numerous cultural events in and around Accra. Kpani Addy also sponsors and
has the troupe perform for HIV /Aids Awareness Dance and Music Competitions. "We have been working with great patience, hope
and effort to sustain and train this very special group of talented young people. Against all odds, through the grace of
God, and with a few generous contributions, our efforts have been sustained thus-far. We have even purchased an
oven and materials to create a small baked goods market. We were also able to create an outdoor music venue where we
sponsor Friday night music competitions at the training grounds of the GaGbekebii "Children of Ghana" culture
troupe."
One day they hope to bring fifteen members of the Ga Gbeke Bii “Children of Ghana” troupe
to tour and perform with them throughout the United States. To accomplish this they need both financial support
and the appropriate professional contacts. With financial backing Ga Gbeke Bii members could also provide free arts-in-education
programs at public schools in the cities they visit. They are looking for help from someone like yourself to accomplish
this goal. A tour such as this will touch many lives. It will also bring each troupe member the pride and financial support
to change their families’ lives for the better. And it will bring American audiences an appreciation for the positive
spirit of Ghanaian people and their cultures. "We present to you the Children of Ghana in hopes that you will
find a way for us to share our gifts with you." The team looks
forward to the day they make contact with you!
With Sincere Respect,
Cypress Knight, Kpani Addy and Comice
Addy.
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ALL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO
GA GBEKE BII "CHILDREN OF GHANA": Your
generous contributions support : • daily nutritious meals - Lease
training grounds for the school
and culture studies. - Maintain shelters at the training grounds for safe haven.
•Maintain kitchen, and storage room for drums
and equipment - Maintain performance stage.
- Provide
seed money for Troupe's cooking
enterprises. - Provide school supplies.
- Emergency fund for health care
needs
- And provide holiday meals and gifts!
Please keep up the support and tell your
friends and relations how they can help too
| Youth dancers enjoying a nutritious meal at the tr |
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| Comice Addy with Girl Dancers |
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Kpani
Addy teaching African culture to at-risk American youth to enhance
their pride and multicultural understanding. Portland, Oregon: Gladys McCoy Academy (alternative high school).
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| Comice Addy helps out with Ga Gbeke Bii's cooking |
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Comice Addy, having run her own catering business
in America, helps the troupe operate, cook,
and sell their own food product. This
supplies income to support the children and their families while also building important life skills.
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