Concert for Baragu – Wednesday 3rd June 2015
6.30pm Westfield Arts College Sports Hall
Littlemoor Road, Weymouth DT3 6AA
Entry free- donations on the way out!
On Wednesday 3rd June Westfield will once again host a concert to raise money for 
the Baragu Children’s Ward in Kenya. This beautiful facility was handed over to the Murugi Community by Weymouth resident Martyn Hastings on 14 February 2015. The ward and health centre serve the needs of many children who attend the Kenyan schools which have a link with our schools here in the Chesil Education Partnership. Eric, seen in the photo cutting the ribbon, is one of them. The Children’s Ward project started with many Chesil Education Partnership schools raising money for the “Sponsor a Stone” appeal. Much of the early manual work was done by Martyn and the Dorset Expeditionary Society teams. Adult volunteers have also been involved over 2 years and two concerts by local schools “Raise the Roof” and “Light up Baragu” raised over £1500. To celebrate the contribution made by our local schools they have named it the ‘Chesil Children’s Ward’. On completion of the ward the County Government in the area promised to provide beds, mattresses, screens and other equipment. However only a limited amount has been delivered to date and much more is still needed. Specialist medical treatment items may also be needed in the near future. The Ward will operate with the younger patients being accompanied by their mothers so there is a need to add more beds. As an example of cost – one bed with hospital mattress, pillow, blankets, sheets and locker costs approx. £220. The concert on 3rd June will involve over 100 children from local schools: Westfield Arts College, St Andrews, Wyke Regis; St Nicholas & St Lawrence; Bincombe Valley; Conifers; IPACA; Damers First School, Frome Valley First School. The concert will coincide with 10 Kenyan teachers visiting local schools as part of the British Council funded Connecting Classrooms project. This promises to be a lively evening of entertainment from children aged 5 -19 and will even include a song and dance from our Kenyan guests. There will be a raffle and refreshments will be available in the interval. Members of the public are very welcome to attend or send donations care of Westfield Arts College.
Karen Bidwell Deputy Headteacher Westfield Arts College
