Empowering Manager News December 2005
leadership through partnership
In this issue
My Challenges
Empowering Manager website links
My Challenges and where you come in
I asked you to challenge me to (almost) anything and, deep breath, this is what I'll be doing to raise money for the Heritage House students' Japan Journey.
Challenge 1
I will give a talk for at least 10 minutes ENTIRELY IN JAPANESE to a Japanese speaking audience about the Japan Journey and Japanese taiko drumming at Heritage House. At present, my Japanese is very simple, tends to include a lot of arm waving as well as words, and is best suited to buying train tickets and such. Actually I'll probably give the talk more than once as my friends are finding extra groups for me to speak to!
Challenge 2
I will spend 24 hours completely ALONE IN THE WOODS this winter, taking care of myself and sleeping under a tarpaulin. I recently camped out in November in the snow in Norway, with experts in bushcraft. But never alone, doing everything for myself, including chopping wood for my campfire and making my camp. Eat your heart out Ray Mears!
I'm both nervous and excited about my Challenges. Both will stretch me in different directions. Another huge thank you to everyone who has already contributed or pledged funds. The response has been extraordinary. If you would like to sponsor my challenges and contribute to the Japan Journey please click here to email me now and
-
wish me luck,
-
offer your support, or
-
tell me which Challenge you want to sponsor and for how much
To read the Empowering Manager September article on this inspiring initiative, click here. And if you know another Japanese speaking audience who may like to hear my talk, please let me know!
Alison Smith
Empowering Manager
leadership through partnership
original article from September Empowering Manager News
Courage
A group of special students I know at Heritage House School in Buckinghamshire have been learning Japanese Taiko Drumming for the last year or so. Six of these students and four adult helpers will be travelling to Japan in spring 2006 to learn with Taiko Drumming Master Kurumaya Sensei, make links with a similar school in Kyoto, and study Japanese culture.
Heritage House School is for students with learning disabilities and I am so inspired by their courage and determination. I have witnessed a transformation in these students, many of whom find it very hard to concentrate for more than a minute or so, and some have very challenging behaviour. Almost all the students in the school have now experienced taiko drumming and the six students will go to Japan as representatives of the whole school.
Seeing how engaged they are and the enjoyment and enthusiasm on their faces as they play together is a great thrill and a privilege. I want to do all I can to support their taiko playing including this visit to Japan and am honoured to be one of the adult helpers taking part.
We need to have pledges for the full costs of the journey (approximately £16,000) by the end of November this year. I am aiming to raise all of the money needed for my own air fare and accommodation, plus enough for at least one student. That is £3,200. For those of you who would like to contribute to an experience of a lifetime for these extraordinary students, please email to let me know the amount you want to offer.
visit the
