Last Saturday, many Alexandrians, and visitors to the area showed up for the girls of Alexandria in need. In one evening, we raised enough money to ensure that 10 girls in need would be able to participate in STEAM activities this summer.
Lady Sax came all the way from Gary, Ind. to donate her time, energy and amazingly impressive talent towards the cause of girl empowerment in Alexandria. The art gallery of Convergence was filled with enthusiastic and generous people who came to support our cause of helping girls find their internal power and purpose.
Lady Sax filled the room with impressive musical skill and command while a pleased audience moved around, smiling and reminiscing in the memory of the songs.
Naku Penda is Swahili for "I Love ..." which is the aim of the program to encourage girls to love themselves, their families and their communities by investing in their intellectual and social development.
The program was designed as a three-week intensive summer STEAM program, meeting three days a week. Breakfast, lunch, and snack were to be given along with SOL math and science preparation.
Since we were not funded to run the program independently, we will provide additional programming to girls participating in other summer programs within the city. Girls are selected based on the recommendations and permission of parents, school counselors, and community youth workers. We are still grateful to all those who donated funds and in-kind services. We are also grateful for the partnerships and collaborations like that of Concerned Citizens Network of Alexandria, Alexandria City Public Schools, Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, and Convergence Arts Initiative.
The Morning Bishop Theatre (Theatre of Purpose) is in an artist residency with Convergence. The mission of the Convergence Arts Initiative is to provide artists and creatives with the framework, principles and practices necessary to become imaginative visionaries, prophetic critics and culture creators. To learn more about Convergence, please visit their website at https://ourconvergence.org/arts.
To learn more about the Naku Penda Girls Empowerment Program and Theatre of Purpose and how you can assist us with our mission visit our website at http://theatreofpurpose.wix.com/mckenya-dilworth.