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In 1999 Sidiki Dembele founded the now acclaimed Denifari performance and teaching group in one of the poorest districts of his home city of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Denifari literally means a new way for youth - and that was how the story began. Growing up in a slum area flanking the great commercial capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Sidiki was all too aware of the social and economic restrictions under which the community struggled to survive; and of the temptations faced by local boys and young men whose families strove against all the odds to provide for under conditions most of us here in Europe can only guess at.
Poorly educated, sometimes malnourished and dressed in worn tee shirts and jeans, the group moved into a rented shack, provided by Sidiki, where they lived, learned and prepared for the future. Now those original members are amongst the most acclaimed musicians in Cote d'Ivoire, playing at community and cultural events and concerts throughout West Africa, and continuing to manage the day to day affairs of the school on Sidiki's behalf. Despite now living in England, Sidiki remains the lynchpin of the organisation and no decisions are made without his input. Denifari is still at the heart of Sidiki's life and endeavour. You can see the guys perform if you check out the video gallery here on the website!
And now, Denifari is coming to the UK! Sidiki wants to offer young people here in the North West of England the same opportunity to learn and develop a self sufficient performance school. It will run alongside, but independently of Denifari Djembe, and will exist to meet the needs of young people in the community whose social circumstances may prevent them from otherwise engaging and particpating.
We have a number of young musicians who have worked with Sidiki over the past twelve months and who are showing great promise - we want them to take their talents out into the community, and appear at local events and festivals, as a non-profit making group.
We know that they will eventually become self-funding - maybe within five years - but for now they need all the help they can get.
We are looking for funding to provide new instruments and a local rehearsal venue in the Manchester or Salford area.
If you are, or you know anybody who is, in a position to talk to us about funding or any other support that these young people need to get started, please contact Sidiki by telephone on
07552521421
or by email at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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