OPEN LETTER FROM THE TRUSTEES

 

It is with real sadness that we announce our decision to scale back the day-to-day running of Sewa-education as of the end of the Summer Term 2007.   It has been difficult for some time now to secure long-term core funding for our operations, without which we have been

unable to plan properly for the future.   Over the last two years we have applied repeatedly to a wide range of funders for help with meeting our core costs, but without the level of success required. We are not the only arts organisation to face such hurdles, but unlike some other organisations we do have the option to ensure our work continues by different means.

 

We plan to maintain our website as a portal for schools to continue to contact our artists and would encourage you strongly to do so. The Sewa Association will be artist-led without any central administration; however, many of the artists already run their own schedules and are experienced at liaising directly with schools. Our website will be re-launched at the beginning of September 2007 with the new contact details and information about the Sewa Association.

 

Any bookings that we have currently confirmed in our diary for Autumn 2007 will be honoured and we will continue to take new bookings for the first half of the Autumn Term up until 10 th July and with a 10% deposit to cover administrative costs incurred now. We will however not be contactable by email, telephone or post from 17th July until 3rd September.

 

 

We are also looking to sell our stock of workshop drums and Special Needs instruments, including four nearly new Resonance Boards that are ideal for children with a wide range of SEN.   Please visit here to see a full list of available items.

 

The reason so many of you have supported Sewa by booking us and donating your time and money, is that the enjoyment and enrichment young people gain from drumming, dancing and singing stays with them long after the artists have left the school.   I do not regret for one moment the energy spent in establishing Sewa-education because every smile, round of applause and deeper understanding of music has made it all worthwhile.

 

With heart-felt thanks to the many, many people who have supported us on this journey,

 

Emily Keeler

Chair of Trustees