Camborne Parish Church

DEVON & CORNWALL TOUR 2009
MAASAI PLAINS VIEW SCHOOL APPEAL

Dear Friends,

The Troupe returned home on 29th November after a 13 week tour, their longest since the annual event started in 2003. During that time they performed 138 times at 111 venues and the tour proved their most successful yet with most of the public performances sold to capacity to audiences who unanimously expressed their joy and admiration of the Troupe’s efforts.

It was clear that the schools in both counties had not had any previous opportunity to watch African performers. It was therefore a great experience for all of us, working in and with the Troupe, to see the appreciation and understanding by both children and staff for the narrated performances of the group. We left each school feeling that we had implanted some knowledge of the Maasai culture and indeed the hardships experienced by them in their little community. Added to this was the feeling that all audiences had come to realise that such hardships were borne with great equanimity brought about by the total harmony in which the Maasai live. As I often said to audiences, “The Troupe members sing in harmony, they dance in harmony and, most importantly, they live in harmony!” 

This year saw two changes to the Troupe with Daniel coming in as Narrator and Lydia as female Singer. Daniel acquitted himself brilliantly with every audience, child and adult, and his efforts were even more outstanding knowing that this was the first time he had left his homeland, and that his English was self taught. Lydia came here a very shy fragile soul. However, as her confidence grew she blossomed both as a singer and as a member of the Troupe, with a smile always to be remembered. Lydia also sadly learnt of her mother’s death, whilst on tour. This too she accepted with great stoicism, as always with the support from her fellow performers.

Sarge was thrilled to learn that his wife had given birth to a son, the couple’s third boy. He had the less pleasant experience of having a tooth extracted during the tour. Daniel, his interpreter for the occasion, proved very squeamish at the sight of the needle. I asked Daniel how they coped with extractions at home. “We just use a pair of pliers – no injections,” was his reply. “Doesn’t the patient feel it?” I asked. “Oh yes, but there are six people holding him down!”

Richard Webster, a local St Austell resident, took on the job of driving the bus but soon happily took on the job of props and stage managing the performances. Without him we would never have managed, and along the way he became a very dear friend of the Troupe. He also kept the group supplied with DVD’s and tolerated much strange music on the bus cassette player!

Jerry Horsman’s support and help in so many ways proved an absolute godsend and the Troupe much appreciated his arranging a weekend away with three generous farming families. Thanks must go to the Barriball family whose many, many kindnesses went way beyond those of a caring landlord and his family. Lastly the Troupe would want to express their gratitude to the many people, particularly from the local parish church, who have befriended them in both kind and in the name of friendship.  

The Troupe are to be congratulated for always giving of their brilliant best, never succumbing to the fatigue which they sometimes must have often felt. They go home safe in the knowledge that they have left behind many friends. Jim Wilkie, who will take over the organising of the tours from now forward, can rest assured that he has a group of the highest quality with which to work.

MAASAI PLAINS VIEW SCHOOL APPEAL

In addition to his help during the tour, Jerry Horsman has also agreed to take on the post of Treasurer of the Appeal Fund. He has set up a dedicated bank account in Exeter in the fund’s name. Money has started to come in from donors in both counties and indeed many schools have said that they will be organising fundraising efforts for the Appeal in the coming two terms. It is obvious that the whole existing school needs to be radically refurbished and re-equipped. Its replacement by new school buildings on an adjacent site may be the preferred option. Any donations should be made payable to: Maasai Plains View School and sent to Jerry Horsman at Oxen Farm, Ashton, Exeter, Devon EX6 7QW. Most excitingly, a Devon couple (Helen and Roger Pannell) have kindly expressed an interest in helping to turn this dream into a reality.

At the end of March we plan to report on the progress of the school project and also give details of the 2010 Osiligi tour. In the meantime should any of you wish to speak to me about the above please ring 078717-197594.

Yours sincerely,
John Curtin