Art Transforms Lives & Transcends Limits

Hi, I’m Dasha Minsky, a proud member of the class of 2026 at The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia. I’m American by birth, but I hold a special place in my heart for the boys and girls of Alexandra, South Africa — a vibrant yet struggling community in urgent need of support. I welcome you to join me on my service journey as I continue the work my family began in 2019 to uplift the lives of Alexandra’s youth.

Our first initiative, “Uplift thru Sport,” led to the creation of the Alexandra Youth Swim Academy in 2023. My family’s mission was to combat the risk of drowning by teaching water safety and offering weekly swim lessons, which continue to flourish to this day. Now I’m excited to launch my new initiative, “Uplift thru Art,” which builds on the relationships we’ve nurtured over the years to engage more children in Alexandra.

Just as we’ve seen with sports, creative arts play a vital role in the comprehensive development of children, especially in disadvantaged communities like Alexandra. Together, we can make a lasting impact!

Alexandra Township in
Johannesburg, South Africa

1.2 million people / 2.2 square miles

Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, is a city of stark contrasts. The disparity between wealth and poverty within the city’s borders is striking, with Sandton’s bustling financial district located right next to Alexandra, one of the city’s most impoverished and underdeveloped townships. While Alexandra has 1.2 million residents packed into just 2 square miles, typical communities in Northern Virginia, where I’m from, have a population density of around 950 people per square mile.

My parents lived in Morningside, a residential area within Sandton’s central business district. Inspired by Nelson Mandela’s transformative legacy, they often shared stories about Alexandra, where Mandela once lived (see the picture of his house on the bottom right below). For them, Alexandra represented the risks and challenges associated with life in South Africa – a place which many avoided due to its reputation for crime and car-jacking. Yet, instead of turning away, we were drawn to Alexandra, recognizing the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a community needing support.

UTA@PHUTA

My project, Uplift thru Art (UTA), capitalizes and expands on the existing creative arts curriculum at Phutaditjaba (PHUTA), Alexandra’s center of excellence. PHUTA was established 30 years ago through the joint efforts of Baba Twala, regarded as the “Father of Alex,” and Afrika Tikkun. Both were instrumental in founding the Alexandra Youth Swim Academy and have made our collaboration on UTA possible.

PHUTA’s creative arts curriculum serves approximately 270 students in grades 1 through 9, offering a wide range of activities, including drumming, music (choir), fine arts and drawing, creative writing (essay and poetry composition), and African dance (featuring various forms such as Indiamu, Mohobelo, Amapiano, Gqom, and gumboot dancing). While these classes greatly benefit the students, additional resources are needed. Yet funding is limited. At the start of our project, we surveyed the instructors of each creative arts class to identify specific resource needs, which are outlined in the graphic below. All funds raised by UTA go directly to PHUTA to purchase these essential materials, ensuring all students are fully supported.

Needed Art Supplies

Drumming

Music
Choir

Fine Arts
Drawing

Creative
Writing

Dance

Drums (different sizes & types) x10

Musical Instruments Keyboard

Drawing Paper

Vision Boards

Sound System for Playing Music x2

Drumstick Sets x10

Guitar

Sketchbooks

Journals/Notebooks

Flute

Stationery/Pencils

Stationery

Sheet Music

Charcoal/Pastels

Microphones & Stands

Colored Pencils

Music Stands

Paint brushes

Easels

Paints

Markers

Watercolor Palettes

Partners

We benefit from the spiritual and cultural guidance of Baba Twala and his trusted apprentice, Lawrence Ruele, both of whom exemplify the power of community service through their daily actions on behalf of all Alexandrans. We are also profoundly grateful to the Harvard Business School class of 1989, section F, whose generous support makes our Uplift projects possible.

At the heart of ‘Uplift thru Art’ is our implementing partner, Afrika Tikkun, without whom this initiative could not succeed. For over 30 years, Afrika Tikkun has been a catalyst for societal change and advancement within South Africa’s disadvantaged communities. Their ‘Cradle to Career’ model provides holistic support, nurturing boys and girls from early childhood to young adulthood, with programs aimed at mitigating the impact of poverty and inequality. Among Afrika Tikkun’s programs is their creative arts curriculum, which not only cultivates artistic talent but also equips students with essential skills for the future. Our collaboration will strengthen and help sustain Afrika Tikkun’s art program – empowering students and unlocking a world of opportunity for their personal and professional growth.

Contact

Dasha Minsky