Well, OK this post has been a very long time coming! Finally getting a chance to write it…
Just over 2 years ago in January 2010, I went to Ahmedabad in India and spent some time with the NGO, Manav Sadhna. Manav Sadhna is based in the Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. Manav Sadhna is grounded in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and has a very mission “Love all. Serve all.” Using this powerful message, they work towards the upliftment of underprivileged communities in the slums of Ahmedabad. It serves more than 8000 children and women through more than 35 projects based around health & hygiene, education and women’s empowerment to name a few. These initiatives to help the communities to help themselves.
It was amazing and insightful at Manav Sadhna. I connected with volunteers from all around the world, many of whom remain close friends. I was lucky to also meet Nimesh Patel (aka Nimo) who was inspired by a similar show, ‘Ekta’, which toured America ten years ago. I met some of the would be ‘Ekatva’ kids who were just starting their auditions and practices. 2 years on and professionally trained by the Darpana Dance Academy and Manav Sadhna the Ekatva kids are taking their message to the world.
The UK Tour
Over the last 6 months in the UK, I’ve been involved with the UK team who have been inspired to bring the Ekatva tour to the UK. The team have navigated the visa process, learned how venues and ticketing works and now we’re onto the really exciting stuff. We’re busy finding ways to get the local community connected to Ekatva and developing activities and ideas to give the kids an unforgettable experience. The Ekatva kids and team are currently touring America and their progress can be followed through the facebook page – www.facebook.com/Ekatva.Oneness
The UK team has drawn together by the strength of this fantastic idea, making the UK tour possible. Ekatva will be special. The message of ‘oneness’ is so simple, yet amazingly powerful! I would encourage anyone to attend one of the Ekatva performances.
Visit the link to find out how you can book your tickets. www.ekatva.org/uk