As we approach the end of 2020 – a year many people will be glad to see the back of – Friends of Pakati will be launching its plans fot 2021 very soon. Below is the outline of what we have in mind:
Vision for 2021
Our Vision for the coming year will be taken from our document ‘Charity Purposes’, which has been compiled for the application to be registered as a charity here in the UK.
The basic ideas are that we aim to use our funds to help both Pakati schools with things such as IT equipment, internet access, and other educational equipment to help the schools improve the educational experiences of their students. In addition, if funds allow, to provide a small number of scholarships to those most in financial need. Also if funds allow, we may try to help the 3 other named schools in the same Ward in similar ways. We may also provide assistance we deem necessary should funds allow at the schools requests. Joint ventures with similar organisations locally may also be considered where relevant to our stated purposes.
The ‘Charity Purposes’ document will be published in full very soon.
Fundraising activities
This coming year we have some very ambitious plans for our fundraising, centred around a new Walking Chalkenge – this time not just for the Author, but for any who wish to help us! Below is a picture which hints at the plan….dont worry, its more about the total distance & funds raised, I aren’t planning to walk to Pakati myself!
Full details will be published soon, but the idea is to get as many people as possible to walk at least 1 mile and donate at least £1 for each mile to Friends of Pakati. This will be spread over a preiod of time, aimimg to cover the equivalent distance between Bradford and Pakati. People can do as few or as many miles as they wish, as often as they wish. They can just donate, or raise sponsorhip to donate if they wish. People can choose when & where they do the walk – and it doesn’t have to be a just a walk – a run, a cycle, a wheelchair – are also acceptable, as long as its under their own steam.
In addition to this, there is the merchandise being prepared for sale at the start of the year, as indicated in previous posts.
No doubt other ideas/events will come up, new donors/supporters/sponsors will come on board to help us in the coming months
Organisation
Myself, the Author – Chris Walker, my fellow former Pakati Secondary school teacher – Debbie Chadbon, and IT Manager for the Stephenson Group from Leeds – Stuart Pine – we will be the Trustees of the Charitable Trust to be set up as Friends of Pakati. Other Trustees may be added as required.
There are other key participants with whom we consult, including the Heads of the 2 Pakati schools, M Mahachi (Primary) and Mr Chifaka (Secondary), along with local councillor, Alderman Israel Maliki. Two former students of Pakati in particular have become involved as both friends and contributors/advisors, namely Bothwell Riside and Lorraine Mapuranga. We are most grateful to all contributors, including many current and former teachers and many former students of either/both Pakati schools.
Publicity
This coming year we will need more publicity in order to spread the word, to help us raise the funds needed to meet our ambitious aims. I am already trying to get local media on board, and hope to do more press/radio and maybe TV interviews, at least locally here in the North of England. Any who read tbis blog, please can you share each post with yoyr contacts on social media as mych as you can. Thank you👍
