Make Young Dreams Come True
All South Africans are concerned about the many social
and economic ills besetting South Africa that we experience or read about
daily in our newspapers.
It has become apparent that more fundamental and bold educational initiatives
are needed if we are to effectively address these issues in the long-term.
The College of Magic feels the need to meet this challenge in a real and
meaningful way.
In 2000 the College of Magic launched the ambitious "Magic in the Community"
project allowing students from disadvantaged sectors the opportunity of
experiencing the myriad of educational benefits our magical training offers.
This College funded project covers the 6 year tuition period, notes, equipment
as well as the implementation of a transport system for students living in
marginalised areas.
This was achieved without compromising the College's high standards of
training as we developed our staff training programme and translated notes so
that students can learn in their mother tongue - Xhosa. The project has been a
resounding success. The progress these young people have made during their
training has been a delight to witness.
As a non-profit organisation, the College's internal resources are extremely
limited and in order to expand and touch the lives of the many young people
desperate to join the College of Magic, we need your support !
Adopt a Student
The programme aims to make young dreams come true by
giving those students with financial difficulty the opportunity to continue
their training at the College of Magic and all the joy and excitement that
comes with it. These students are identified by the College and once
'adopted', a letter of introduction and ongoing 'dream' reports are sent to
each sponsor, keeping you updated as to their magical developments. You get to
become a part of the magic experience – the thrill, the excitement, the fun
and mystery !The College of Magic is a wonderful, nurturing fantastical
environment full of magic, where young people are:
• Nurtured by staff members in a positive, uplifting, caring environment;
• Educated not only in the art of magic, juggling, clowning, mime,
ventriloquism and theatre production, but also in social skills, presentation
skills, organizational skills and academically;
• Mentored as individuals by kind, caring, committed staff who have their
well-being and development completely at heart and who hold qualities such as
trust and integrity in high regard;
• Inspired by amazing magicians, performers, other students and the
possibilities revealed in a world where developed skills are very useful;
• Empowered to use their unique set of skills developed at the College to find
a niche for themselves in the world, whether within the performing world or in
a mainstream environment.
In the light of the brilliant life skills and magical entertainment talents
that each student acquires at the College of Magic, please think about
becoming a ‘dream maker’ … you truly can add some magic to a young person’s
life !
Realise the dream of a student for $400 … this covers all tuition for the
year, transport, notes, equipment, props as well as involvement in the
College’s many magical events throughout the year …
To find out more about this project and to start the adoption process, please
contact
info@collegeofmagic.com
Making a Difference
An independent evaluation of the Magic in the
Community project was carried out by Jean Baxen, Senior Lecturer in the
Education Department of the University of Cape Town.
The report was presented to the Minister of Cultural Affairs, Mr Patrick
McKenzie at the Western Cape Junior Magician Championships. Ms Lynn Campbell
of the D.G. Murray Trust, the foundation who commissioned the evaluation, was
also present at the handing over.
The evaluation gives a fascinating insight into the Magic in the Community
project and the people involved.
"It is not difficult to see that the Project has met its proposed goals.
Significantly though, the evidence from the data suggests that, in meeting its
proposed goals, this Project has embraced a holistic approach to education.
This broad conception of education is proposed within the current educational
reform. No finer expression of the spirit of the new curriculum is found than
in what is evident in the classrooms and lived experiences of the children in
the Project!"
- Jean Baxen, Senior Lecturer
School of Education, University of Cape Town
Download MIC Evaluation - Full Report (700 KB)
Download MIC Evaluation - Executive Summary (250 KB)
