On Thursday 6 March 2008, the first AGM of Choko was held. Although it has been operating since 2005, Choko became a fully constituted body on 31 August 2007. This newsletter will cover the Chair’s report and other items from the AGM.
Background to Choko
Bev Butler, the Chair of Choko welcomed those present to the meeting and started her report with a brief history of Choko. Choko arose from Project Lucy, a project James and Bev set themselves personally in 2005, to raise £2005 for World Vision during that year. This, like Choko, was specifically for use in the programme area in South Africa, Kodumela, where the Butler’s sponsored child, Lucy, lives and goes to school.
It soon became obvious that there was enough interest in the project to expand it, so Choko (originally the Cholsey-Kodumela Community Linking Project) was initiated during 2005.
By the middle of 2007, following a community visit to South Africa, it was felt that the project needed to be formally constituted and organised, which took place in August 2007.
Activity since the official formation of Choko
Since August 2007, there has been plenty of activity. Choko now has a website, which Hilary maintains and updates. The Christmas sale campaign saw the production of calendars, Christmas cards, a CD of Christmas carols and the very successful alternative gift catalogue (which will be available year round for birthday, anniversary and other gifts).A talk on Choko was given to the Wallingford Inner Wheel and mention of Choko has also been made to Wallingford and Sinodun Rotary clubs. Choko had a stall at the Wallingford Medieval Evening as well as regular stalls on the Forty in Cholsey in the weeks before Christmas. The Rangers held a pancake evening for Shrove Tuesday, with part proceeds donated to Choko. Interested persons can now join “Friends of Choko” to receive the newsletter and early invitations to events. More information on Friends of Choko here.
There have been increasing numbers of child sponsorships taken out with World Vision for children in the Kodumela region, which builds links between individuals in the community. School to school links are also developing, following the excellent lead of Cholsey School. James and Hilary spoke about Choko to Crowmarsh School, who have now sent work to a school in South Africa. Brightwell School have also produced work which has been sent out via World Vision. There are 12 primary schools in the Kodumela area, so more schools in South Oxfordshire could get involved.
What comes next?
During the visit to South Africa in April 2007, all the Choko members present agreed that the trip to
the special needs children’s centre was the most heart-rending. The disused church where they met lacked much that we would take for granted - like a roof! Working in a building with a partial roof, no floor, seating or equipment doesn’t deter the dedicated founder lady and mother of one of the children from doing her best for the group of children and there is no doubt in our minds that this should be the next area we focus on for fund raising. We are awaiting an estimate from the Project Manager, Ledile, but feel we are well on the way to funding this (as you will see if you read to the end of the newsletter!)
More school linkages and building on the relationships between the schools has very positive benefits for the children in the UK schools as well as in the SA schools.
As Choko develops a revised logo has been created, to reflect the expanded nature of the initiative whilst keeping the same name to remember its roots.
Fund raising continues, with Hilary undertaking a sponsored walk of the Dales Way at the end of April. As she describes herself as “a high heels, handbags and hairdryer kind of girl” this is quite a challenge. Anyone wanting to support her can do so here or by writing to PO Box 575, Aylesbury Vale HP17 8QZ. Hilary has started keeping a blog which makes entertaining reading.
We are holding a Beer Festival in Cholsey on Saturday 27 September, so keep that date free!
Choko committee
There have been a couple of changes to the Choko committee. We would like to thank out-going members Jan Morgan and Graham Chapman for their contributions. We welcome Andy King, Celia Merrill and Eve Evans to the committee. Special thanks should also go to Estelle Browne who continues to do excellent work as Treasurer.
Next trip to SA
A trip is planned to visit the project in South Africa, probably in April 2009. Bev is organising this, so it will be as expertly done as the 2007 trip. If any one is interested in going, please contact Bev before the end of April 2008 on 01491 651490.
And the final piece of good news!
Thanks to generous donations and spending over Christmas, Choko has (since 2005) raised in excess of £22,000 in support for the Kodumela project.
The Choko Team
T: 01491 651490
E: info@choko.org.uk
P: PO Box 575, Aylesbury Vale HP17 8QZ
W: http://www.choko.org.uk/
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