Professional musical touring company Operatunity has donated $11,000 to the Otara-based Sistema Aotearoa.
Sistema Aotearoa is a programme that helps children in need within the Otara community, engaging with students and delivering high quality musical instruction within a safe and supportive atmosphere.
It kicked off in 2011 with 95 students and has since gone from strength to strength, with around 1100 young people between the ages of two and 14 enrolled in the 2017 programme.
During the recent Waltz of my Heart tour in January, Operatunity patrons donated $11,000 and more than 50 instruments to the organisation to provide support.
Sistema programme manager Ros Giffney said he is very grateful for the support.
“Assuring the sustainability of our work in Otara is of prime concern and knowing that we have the backing of people like your audience and organisations like Operatunity in the community is humbling and very encouraging. Without it we simply wouldn’t be able to offer these students this chance.”
The programme is known to positively impact the learning capabilities of children, as well as provide a greater level of support for the child and improve parenting skills.
