Fundraiser for Aweil Jazz Band: a project of Mading Aweil website.

Fellow citizens,

It is with great honor announcing to you and friends the biggest project ever undertaken by Mading Aweil website since its founding. Mading Aweil website is throwing an ambitious fundraiser aimed at raising funds for the highly talented but most disadvantaged Band group: the Aweil JAZZ headed by none other than your favorite Panan, John Kudusay - a singer who has over the years and through much struggle, risen into an indisputable national icon. The Aweil JAZZ is comprised of some of the most talented young men Aweil and indeed south Sudan is blessed with.

However, the previous 22 years of devastating conflict which affected every inch of southern society didn’t spare these talented young men: their gift (of music) was and continue to waste away in the full view of everyone, you and I included. John Kudusay, Ayom Yor Akok and their teammates have fully demonstrated their musical abilities but every odd is against them: they lack resources and means to exploit their enormous potentialities.

This fundraiser is a direct response to the daring request made by the Aweil JAZZ who requested Aweil citizens, friends and well-wishers to help them buy musical equipment they so badly need. Those of you who will watch the clips provided below will not belief that the famous John Kudusay music which we all enjoy listening is produced using some of the crudest instruments anyone can find, the likes of which can only be traced back to 1930s or there about. The reader will see and hear it first hand from the mouths of Aweil JAZZ leaders who shot a movie in an effort to raise awareness to their plight. Thanks to Abraham Yel Nhail, Isaac Mabior Ngang, Ajang Tang and their friends who helped them put this video together.

As you will shortly hear from Panan John Kudusay and Panan Ayom Yor, the Aweil JAZZ needs, among other things, electric guitars, generator, piano, musical accessories and a host of other necessities which only the JAZZ members know. According to John Kudusay and Ayom Yor, provision of this equipment to Aweil JAZZ will transformed it from being a state based band to a towering national music group which will capably compete with other already established national bands. I am very confident in the Aweil Jazz’s ability to perform nationally and the clips provided below are glaring evidence to this claim.

Our fundraiser target is $5000. This amount was arrived at after doing a rough estimate of how much the equipment needed by the JAZZ will cost. Below is a rough estimate of the equipment needed:

• Generator costs about $1500,
• One electric guitar can cost up to $1000, we are intending to provide two or three professional guitars, so you should make your own calculation
• Piano can cost up to $2000,
• Other accessories such as flute,
• etc.

Looking at the above figures, the amount needed can definitely be a little larger than the estimated $5000. However, our fundraiser target will remain at $5000. This amount, if we succeed in raising it, will establish a strong foundation for the Aweil JAZZ.

Why must I support Aweil JAZZ?

By supporting the Aweil JAZZ, you are, in essence, contributing toward the promotion of south Sudan music industry - a key aspect of national progress. Differently put, your support for the Aweil JAZZ is essentially a personal contribution toward the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation project of the post-war south Sudan. The Aweil JAZZ contributed in ways that many of us can possibly imagine to the struggle of our people, albeit indirectly. Despite the carnage and enormous destruction inflicted on the citizens of Northern Bhar-el-Gazel and other marginalized areas by the combined forces of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), the Public Defense Force (PDF) and their sponsored militia, the Muralleen, the Aweil JAZZ kept the spirit of our people upbeat through their songs of encouragement and inspiration. Additionally, the Aweil JAZZ, like other war-time singers in south Sudan such as Akut Kuei, has recorded the history of our liberation struggle: they have documented some of the worse and low moments of our struggle through their various songs. Such events, which will live in infamy, to quote the World War II United States President Franklin Roosevelt, include the 1988 famine which nearly wiped out our strong-hearted people.

I belief that none of us is under any illusion that some miracle will happen some day to help modernize our music industry which is as vital as any other. Such task will ultimately fall upon our shoulders. Your support for the Aweil JAZZ will be forever appreciated not only by the Aweil JAZZ team whom you help advance their music careers but also by the nation which will be entertained by these rising stars. Our $5000 target is such an insignificant amount. If, say 50 of us sacrifice $100 each, the $5000 target can be raised within a blink of an eye. And if that number translates to 100 people who each sacrifices $50, the same amount can be raised effortlessly. The idea is, ‘many hands make light work.’ But, perhaps we should pause and ask a question: if we can’t stand up to such calling, when else shall we?

Where do I send my contribution?

People in Australia who wish to contribute to this great effort can send their contributions to Mr. Kuol Baak (0401 077 195)and Dut Mayen (0431 678 377) who reside there, other people will be identified to help them with this task. Those in the United States should send their contributions to Mr. Dhor Aher (Tel: 7018666063, Address: DHOR AROL, 121 GRANT CIR BOX 3701, OFFUTT AFB, NE 68113). We will also ask a few others in the US to help him out with money collection. If you live in Canada, you may send your contribution to William Kolong (Temporarily out of the country) and Sabrino Majok Majok (780-432-5896; majoksabrino@hotmail.com) and if you live anywhere in Africa, please send your contribution/donation to Mr. Tong Deng (Tel: +249 914 789 322; Sat: +88 216 4334 1229;  Tongdeng2001@yahoo.com). Finally, people in Europe should send their contributions to Mr. Gai Magiet Ngong Ngor (447951198291).For those outside North America, Australia, Africa and Europe, please contact me and I will direct you to someone within your vicinity to receive your contribution. We will keep the list of our contributors here on MADB and on Mading Aweil website front page until we hit our target. If you are a member of Mading Aweil Discussion Board (MADB) and wish to contribute, you can simply replay to this message by telling us how much you want to contribute. I will add your name to our list as I will edit the list of contributors as soon as the need arises. If you are not registered on MADB and wish to contribute, please contact me through my e-mail: webmaster@madingaweil.com and tell me the amount you intend to contribute. I will add your name to the list of contributors. It should be noted that any amount is welcome. Remember the mighty oceans and seas we see around us where made from drops of water. Every penny contributed toward this effort will greatly be appreciated.

How do I know that my contribution will go to the cause?

This is a public fundraiser; you will know every penny raised since all the names of donors/contributors will be displayed right on MADB and on the front page of Mading Aweil website. Besides, the management of Mading Aweil website will publish the letter of acknowledgment from the Aweil JAZZ as soon as money is remitted to them. Such letter will indicate the amount remitted to them. If the amount reported doesn’t correspond with what we have online, management will owe the public an explanation. You should therefore rest assure that every penny you contribute will go to the cause.

Finally, please take a moment to watch clips provided below. After watching/listening to John Kudusay and Ayom Yor, you will know why you must become part of this effort. Please pass the word about this fundraiser to your friends and colleagues. Thank you very much for taking time to read this lengthy letter and for your support in words or kind.

On behalf of Mading Aweil website Management,

Garang Kuot,

webmaster@madingaweil.com

Clips of John Kudusay and Ayom Yor Akok: