 In an effort to give back to the source from where much of our music comes, Kutandara Center sponsors fundraising efforts throughout the year to assist our friends and teachers in Zimbabwe. Each year we raise funds through performances and donations for this purpose. Close personal relationships have been formed with teachers, friends and villagers in Zimbabwe along with an exchange of knowledge and wisdom. Poverty and disease runs rampant in Zimbabwe. Many Zimbabweans, including our teachers, have been deeply and tragically impacted by recent situations. Unfortunately, government and private programs cannot provide necessary support and relief to reach everyone. Randy McIntosh, Kutandara Center Music Director, and Amy Stewart McIntosh, Kutandara Center Program Director, traveled to Zimbabwe during the winter of 2001/2002. They stayed in villages and homes of master musicians and learned much about traditional music, culture and rural life. They also provided medical and food relief to villages and individuals during their stay. It was an enriching and life-changing experience. Today, we continue this exchange by facilitating more relief and cultural exchanges with Zimbabweans. While in Zimbabwe, we provide relief to rural villages struck by the devastations of poverty, disease and drought, while studying with master musicians and exchanging stories of our cultures. While in the US, we provide our Zimbabwean teachers with opportunities for income through instruction and performing, as well as a forum for sharing their life stories. Through this outreach, we enrich our understanding of Zimbabwe and continuing to build cultural bridges with her people. Some of the community service projects in which we assist include:
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Kutandara CD Rugare supports musicians in Zimbabwe. Click here! 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the Shungu CD Village Relief are donated to the Boulder Rugare Peace Project. Click here !
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