Knowing how much joy music has brought to her own life, a Penticton student plans on packing her guitar on a trip to an orphanage in Tanzania.
But first she needs the funds to get there. Belle Grant is joining a group of students and chaperones from Princess Margaret, Penticton Secondary School and Summerland Secondary School on a humanitarian trip to Tanzania June 29 to July 20. She is hoping to sing her way there with the Tanzania benefit concert on May 3 in Penticton where she will be 
performing with her sister Grace Grant, guitarist Dylan Knipplberg, drummer Adam Gamblin and on bass, Alaysha Funk. Joining them will be Penticton singer-songwriter Nikita Afonso.
“I thought I could use the skills our family has to make a fundraiser out of it. We are good friends with Nikita and we wanted to do a show together so it will go towards funds to get me to Tanzania,” said Grant. “It will be a fun night out to listen to music.”
Grant will be performing pop contemporary music and there will be food available at the Orchard House, which is also a licensed venue. The goal is to fill the venue to its 125-person capacity and go over and above the money she needs to travel with the Tanzania group.
“All the extra money will go to the orphanage we will be helping out at. I will ask the main contact we have there what they need. If they want to hire a teacher, buy soccer balls for the kids, guitars, or even a swing set for their playground they can use that money,” said Grant. “A little money goes so far there.”
Last summer students that went on the three-week Tanzania trip helped with the construction of a new dormitory at the orphanage in the Arusha region. This was work continued from another Okanagan group that started the walls and floors of the building in the spring. Grant said she has heard stories from the students who have returned from these trips and was inspired to go.
“I’m so excited to meet everyone in Tanzania because they are so happy with so little and I think it will change my perspective on everything. I am also excited to be part of something that will help change lives,” the Grade 10 student at Princess Margaret said. “I think doing it now will give me a good perspective to finish off high school with as I head into Grade 11 and 12.”
The concert takes place May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Orchard House, located at 157 Orchard St. Tickets are $12 and available by calling 250-770-7620 or at Princess Margaret Secondary School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
