Since 2010, non-profit organisation The Rainbow Academy has been giving the Western Cape’s disadvantaged and talented youths an opportunity to reach for their dreams.
The Rainbow Academy runs vocational training programmes of combined disciplines for gifted, underprivileged people aged 17-25 years in the Western Cape.
Deputy principal of the academy, Imke du Toit, says “Our Mission is to empower talented, disadvantaged youth through education and employment in Arts, Culture and Heritage. We aspire to excellence to promote national pride, the ethos of Ubuntu and instil leadership within our students to become ambassadors for human rights, dignity and integrity for the world.”
Students audition to participate in a 1 year training and job-placement programme in which they gain knowledge of the performing arts and the hospitality and tourism industries, graduating with recognised qualifications and practical job experience.
“The Rainbow Academy is a performing arts school that specialises in drama, dance, music and business in the arts. Forty students are enrolled annually into scholarships. Students undertake intensive experiential, practical and academic training (1 000 hours) in a combined curriculum of Music, Drama, Musical Theatre, Dance, African Music, Arts and Culture, Business, Life Skills, Hospitality and Tourism. They also participate in over 20 annual professional events, performances, productions and live TV and radio interviews and are mentored in life skills, leadership and entrepreneurship,” says du Toit.
Those seeking to assist the academy on their mission can do so in many ways.
Du Toit says, “We are always looking for musical and technical support, instruments, computers, sound systems, books etc. Then of course financial support is critical to continue and expand our program, every bit helps, and finally your time, the availability of expertise to support our day to day activities, give us some of your time, part or full time.”
For more information, get in touch with the academy at [email protected] and or visit its website www.rainbowacademy.co.za .
Pictures: The Rainbow Academy
