AMANDA NAISMITH
Black Press
A local theatre troupe, ZAP!, has developed a creative approach to international development in a way that helps both local talent to shine and people in deprivation in other parts of the world to receive support.
A boys’ orphanage in Mwanza, Tanzania, which is being fully funded by the ZAP! Theatre group, is finally constructed and the boys are expected to move into their new home in the next few weeks.
After ZAP!’s ongoing efforts to raise the funds needed to build the orphanage finished up last year, construction began in June of 2013 and ended that November. “And after that, it was getting the electricity in place. There’s not really a grid out there, so it’s solar,” said ZAP! general manager Daniel Allers.
Now all funds raised through the group’s latest play, the Three and a Half Musketeers, will go toward operational costs of the orphanage, finishing a kitchen area and purchasing a vehicle to take the boys to and from school.
“It’s exciting to see that. International development is rarely done this way, people usually leave it up to the big corporations,” said Allers.
While he commends groups such as World Vision for the work they do, he feels the funds raised by ZAP! are a great example of people choosing to take the wellbeing of others in to their own hands and make a difference half a world away. “It’s marvelous to see it taking shape.”
Zap! mainly consists of teenagers and young adults, and every penny raised by the play is turned over to the orphanage. All production costs of the performances come out of the pockets of those involved.
This June, a group of cast and choir members are travelling to Mwanza to see the orphanage for the first time. “We’re heading over to see the orphanage that’s finished and what still needs to be done,” said Allers.
The Three and a Half performances will be held at Asker Church on May 9 and 10, and 16 and 17. Allers says it’s full of singing and comedic acting great for the whole family.