A great year for the Trust!

2012 has been a busy year, here are a few things that have been going on...

Marathon fundraising events

 In April three brave capoeristas from Abolicao Synergy London – Viola, Coringa and Mez ran a half marathon in Buckinghamshire to raise funds for the Abolicao Trust.  They did a fantastic job, raising a hugely impressive £1758. 56 to support the group in Hamburg. Amazing work - well done guys!

In November, the Trust held a Saturday morning Roda and cake sale in Oxford. Capoeiristas, friends and parents from the children’s group came to play / watch the roda and eat some delicious home made cakes. A fantastic £250 was raised for the Trust and a lovely time was had by all... I’m sure this won’t be the last cake related activity we hold!

Exchanges

The beginning of the year saw seventeen capoeiristas descend on South Africa to spend ten days training with the Hamburg group, culminating in their energy-filled 5th Batizado (celebration and grading ceremony) for both the children's and adult's groups. More on this in the post below.

In December, the Trust invited Nkosomzi Speelman (Zumbi), one of the original members of the Hamburg group, to the UK for the 12th Batizado in Oxford. Zumbi has been a comitted member of the group for the past thirteen years and has gone on to set up a sister group in Cape Town where he has been at University. Zumbi spent ten days training with the Oxford and London groups, and taking part in all the workshops and grading at the Batizado. He also accompanied C-M Negao to the CNBrazil end of year Batizado, and managed to squeeze in a bit of sightseeing in London and Oxford. He left a very tired, but very happy capoeirista!

Exchanges like this are so important to the Trust's work, as they strengthen the connection between the groups, and keep the learning and development of skills flowing in both directions. The UK capoeiristas came home from South Africa with valuable learning, not only on what happens inside the roda, but with a new awareness and appreciation of South African life and culture. In turn, Zumbi returns to South Africa full of enthusiasm after his first trip abroad, and ready to share with the group all he has learnt during his time in the UK, so that everyone there will also be able to develop their skills and grow from his experiences.

More to come on Zumbi soon!

12th annual Batizado, Oxford

At the beginning of December, students and teachers from the UK, Brazil, South Africa and France converged on East Oxford for the 12th annual Abolicao Batizado.

As always the weekend was full of energy and workshops were given by some fantastic teachers who well and truly put the students through their paces. Everyone managed to save enough energy to have a fantastic party on the Saturday night though, part of the proceeds of which will go towards the Trust's work.

Thanks so much to everyone who has supported the Trust this year - it's a really tough time for small charities like ours at the moment, so it means a lot to have you behind us. 2013 is already looking set to be another great year for the Trust so watch this space.

We are of course, always looking for new supporters, so if you think you may be able to give some time, donate or volunteer to help continue the Trust's work - we would love to hear from you! Get in touch on info@abolicao-trust.org

Axe Abolicao!

Abolição Hamburg Batizado 2012

In April this year, Abolição Hamburg had their fourth Batizado with Contra-Mestre Negão,  Mosqueteiro and Xaruto, who started the project in 2003.  Seventeen capoeiristas from Abolição Oxford and Synergy in London also made the trip over from the UK to take part, making it the first exchange to South Africa of this size that the Trust has organised.

The UK students were warmly welcomed in Hamburg and spent ten days staying in the village, training with the group and visiting other local projects run by the Keiskamma Trust. It was a fantastic opportunity for Abolição students to meet and learn from each other and strengthen the links between the groups.  

Training was led by C-M Negão, graduados and local teacher Tigre, and music workshops were run to practice songs and learn new rhythms. There was also time for beach rodas, walks to the lagoon and of course, what trip to South Africa would be complete without a barbeque...?!

Pescoso, from Abolição Synergy in London, says: 

"This was a special experience. I feel so lucky to have been a part of it, and have come away with a rich sense of a connection with my fellow capoeiristas in Hamburg."

 

The exchange was so successful plans are afoot to organise another visit soon so watch this space...

Check out the fantastic video of the kid's Batizado, by Sarah Sea