Arafat Segoma from Breakdance Project Uganda was just told he won 'Hot Stepper 2009'!!!

Ntv had a competition in 2009, Hot Stepper' where Arafat won. Arafat Segoma has a facebook profile and can be contacted there :o). Among the 10 finalists, 5 were from Breakdance Porject Uganda and 3 came among the best 5 who won cash prizes.

Breakdance Project Uganda is a Ugandan based project which uses breakdance (and other elements of hiphop) for positive social change. It was started up in February 2006 by Abramz Tekya. Abramz had since childhood dreamt of starting up a project that would help young people, like him self, who loved to dance and couldnt afford dance classes. As most other in Uganda, he didnt have the finance to make it a reality, so when he in February 2006 got the chance to start it up with an Irish breakdancer, his dream came true. Abramz and Emile (the Irish breakdaner) started teaching 3 times a week for whoever came in from the street.

Thats the way it still works except from Emile not being there anymore. The free classes take place at Sharing Youth Centre in a part of Kampala called Nsambya.

There is no money in the project. No funds and no salary for potential teachers. Money from different shows and merciful souls pay the rent. Once in a while the best breakdancers are hired for show or workshops at schools, organization or NGOs. The word spread mouth to mouth.

The project has since been giving free classes in Kampala at Sharing Youth Centre in Nsambya every Monday and Wednesday from 5-8.30pm. Classes are free for everyone.

The project has also done workshops and classes with H.E.A.L.S. in Gulu, FDNC in Mbale, Naguru Remand Home (juvenile prison), Kinship Orphanage in Gganda, street & ghetto children, different local & international school students in Kampala etc

The aims of this project are to empower and positively inspire the youth and children through breakdance plus other elements of hiphop by:

-bridging the gap between Northern Uganda & the other regions of Uganda.
-bridging the gap between the advantaged & disadvantaged.
-bridging the gap between illiterates & literates.
-resolving tribal, religious & racial conflicts.
-building people's self-esteem.
-promoting interaction between local & international dancers
-creating employment for people who want to dance as a career, but can't afford to pay for dance classes.

Contact Abramz Tekya (founder and director) for more information about the project or booking the dancers for workshops and shows. Tel: (+256) 0712-816617
Email: breakdanceuganda@yahoo.com or tekyabra@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/breakdanceprojectuganda
www.youtube.com/abramzt

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• breakdance
• project
• Uganda
• kampala
• arafat
• segoma
• abramz
• hot
• stepper
• 2009
• Ntv
• bboy