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(MENAFN Editorial) Project Bantu Youth International Cultural Exchange 2017

Capoeira Angola arose out of the struggle of the Afro-Brazilian population of Brazil, many of whom were brought from Angola in Africa to work as slaves during the 16th century. The Angolans brought with them traditional dance, movement and music often sung in Portuguese that evolved to become known as Capoeira de Angola, a martial art disguised as a dance.

This mental and physical system of defence was a tool used against oppression and in many ways continues as a system of defence today. The practice of Capoeira Angola requires extraordinary teamwork, focus and partners also embrace at the end of each round because there is no ‘winner' in the Capoeira-only friendship of mutual, respect and community.

Capoeira Angola continues to empower and transform the lives of many young people in Australia over the last decade through Project Bantu. The aim of this program is to give two young people from refugee backgrounds the opportunity to undertake a cultural exchange where the participants will travel to Brazil to develop a greater understanding of the diversity of many cultures through language, music, dance and personal experience. The cultural exchange program will help these young participants to develop a greater understanding of diversity both in Brazil, Australia, their place in the world.

Two students from two different schools within South-Western Sydney region will be chosen to participate in the cultural exchange program. Western Sydney is home to a vibrant multicultural community with young people from Africa, Middle East and Asia. Many of these young people have managed to escape the violence of their countries by fleeing to Australia, their traumatic memories, disrupted education, lack of English and family separations are not so easily left behind or remedied. In addition to this, many non-refugee children in Australia come to school every day burdened with personal, familial, financial, social and mental difficulties that teachers are so often powerless to help them with. These young people are our future and our responsibility.

The students chosen have demonstrated an exceptional attitude and commitment to the sport through their involvement in the Capoeira Angola program over the past two years. This is a great and unique opportunity for these students to explore the possibility of taking Capoeira further in their lives and in their communities.

In 2012 with the help of Capoeira Angola Master Mestre Roxinho and various Donors and supporters, STARTTS was able to send one young Capoeira student to Brazil. Now the former student teachers by using the skills learnt from the trip to Brazil continuing the charity's mission to help refugees across South-western Sydney. What a better way to effect change than to empower young people to help other young people.

Today the former student has continued the legacy of supporting refugees across South-western Sydney gained from the trip to Brazil.

So help us spread the magic of Capoeira Angola by donating.

So help us spread the magic of Capoeira Angola by donating above.

Now we want to do the same this time with two new students, they are the most talented, well behaved, focused and committed Capoeira students in Capoeira Angola classes. They both have the passion; what they only lack is the funds and resources.

So help us spread the magic of Capoeira Angola by donating below. Whether big or small, every cent counts and in this instance, you will truly be donating change for a change!

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