June 30th

Well, that's June done and dusted then. Another month and we'll have the Festival at our throats once more - and you'll be delighted to learn that here at Henderson's we've arranged another fantastic programme of shows to entertain, amuse and enthral.

'But what are we to do till then?' I hear you cry. 'Are the next four weeks to be a featureless cultural desert of quiet nights in by the wireless, punctuated only by jigsaws, quilting and games of Ludo?'

Not at all, good people, not at all. Fear not - just cast your eyes over the line-up and start filling in your diaries.

June 29th

Henderson's in the news - Jonathan Cairney in Henderson's!

Read the full article here

June 29th

baraka-ngaya-300

Henderson's Shop Team decided to sponsor Baraka Ngaya from Nkwawangya. We donate £40 a year from our tips what covers a year's tuition fees at his primary school.

Nkwawangya (pronounced Un-ku-wang-ya) Primary school is situated in the centre of northern Tanzania, East Africa. The school lies at an elevation of about 1400m in the foothills of the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro, surrounded by lush forests and farmland. The rural village of Nkwawangya has a population of about 600 people, most of whom depend upon farming as a source of income; the main crops being banana and coffee. This village has few amenities with no running water, though there is a clean spring, an intermittent electricity supply and a small Doctors clinic/dispensary. The nearest local bus stop is a 45 minute walk along a rough track and the nearest town, Moshi, is about 1.5 hours away, if using local transport.

This is a Government funded school and at present provides education to 231 boys and girls between 7-14 years old. The classes range from standard 1-7, after which time the pupils will progress to secondary school providing their parents or families have the financial means. The school employs 7 teachers, including the Head teacher Bella Urasa who has been at the school since 2003. This year all but one of 20 students passed their final year National exams enabling them to qualify for secondary school. Subjects taught are set by the National Curriculum and include many similar to those taught in the UK: maths, English, geography, science, history and Swahili.

Due to the poor economic status of Nkwawangya village, the funding provided by the Government is much lower in comparison to that provided for schools in towns and cities. In Tanzania there is no free education, each pupil must be paid for. The school fees paid by parents, families or sponsors, go to pay for resources such as food, coal, wood ~ the watchman and also the school cook ( all food cooked for the children and staff is done so on an open fire in a sheltered area ).

It is the parents/families/sponsors responsibility to ensure their child is equipped with pens, pencils, exercise books, uniforms, bags and mathematical geometry sets in standard 4,5,6 and 7.

The Government provides only one quater of the money needed to supply each child with a text book - subsequently, at this time there are only 3 text books available per 30 pupils. There are at the moment 30 pupils at the school who have no regular financial support to pay for their attendance.

In Tanzania these children are classified as 'orphans' meaning that they have either lost parents to HIV/AIDS or have been abandoned by one or both of their parents and are cared for by their grandparents, who have very little means of income. Additionally their parents may be alcoholics or drug addicts or just from very poor families. Although some of these pupils have never had school fees paid, they are still allowed to attend the school, though this stretches the financial resources of the school even more. Some of these pupils are supported by the head teacher personally, though it is beyond her financial capacity to support more than one or two each year.

In response to the general poverty, lack of educational resources, Government financial support and poor health services, a group of active community members have since 2008 been setting up a registered Non-Government Organisation. In 2010 this organisation called 'Tumaini Nkwawangya' ( Tumaini means 'hope' in Swahili ) gained its NGO status.

Tumaini Nkwawangya's aims to improve health care and education in the community. The organisation is comprised of community members from 4 surrounding villages; Nkweseko, Foo, Kyalia and Nkwawangya. Each village holds bi~monthly community meetings to discuss local issues. These are attended by almost all village members and a village chairperson. The Chairperson of Tumaini Nkwawangya is Bella Urasa, the head teacher of the primary school. The secretary and treasurer are a very active community member called Edgar Urassa and the village doctor; Dr.Shoo.

As a registered NGO, Tumaini Nkwawangya have an independent bank account and are at present trying to raise money to provide better health facilities at the dispensary in Nkwawangya - HIV/AIDS testing equipment, blood testing facilities, malaria testing, blood glucose testing and buying sufficient supplies of pharmaceutical medicine.

Nkwawangya Primary school is still in need of much financial support to pay for the 30 'orphaned' children as well as the following:

English speaking volunteers and teachers are highly desired by the school to improve the standard of education, provide a better framework for the teachers and assist them to improve their teaching methods.

Members of Tumaini Nkwawangya NGO will be climbing Kilimanjaro mount in February 2011 in order to raise money for natural health and educational projects in Nkwawangya village. They are still looking for more volunteers to join and sponsorship so please if you want to help them contact Lucy Bradley on 07984 527 094.

June 16th

The Leith Festival, which comes to an end this weekend, has served once again to remind anyone who was in any doubt of what a vibrant, cosmopolitan and - whatever may have happened back in 1920 - fiercely independent place Leith really is. Right at the heart of that thriving community is Leith FM which, since 2007, has made the voice of Leith heard throughout Edinburgh and the surrounding area, and now, via the internet, right across the world.

Henderson's are delighted to announce that they have joined the Leith FM team as sponsors of the enduringly popular 'Rat Pack Revisited' show, broadcast between 12 and 2 every Saturday afternoon. So for great music brought to you by your favourite restaurant keep your radio tuned to 98.8FM - and if that puts you in the mood don't forget that here at Henderson's we have the very best in free live music every night of the week.

Well, apart from Sundays when we only have the Bistro open. I mean, you might catch folk whistling away to themselves in there, but I don't think that really counts.

15th June

shahid-kapoor

Shahid Kapoor.

Massive Bollywood star (and stars don't get any more massive than that). Two times Filmfare Best Actor nominee. Filming in Edinburgh. Vegetarian. Likes chocolate cake.

So. Who's he gonna call?

You guessed.

7th June

The Shop has in stock 100% pure coconut water from Vita Coco.

There were quite few customers asking about it and it was difficult to get a hold of it due to a high demand. Our price is £2.15.

Product Details

The natural hydration and nutritional properties of Vita Coco Coconut water has already won the brand a loyal following amongst many, including celebrities and athletes. Vita Coco is based on one single ingredient: natural coconut water.

The coconut water used in Vita Coco comes from young green coconuts (not brown ones) and is loaded with naturally occurring electrolytes, with each 330ml serving providing 15 times more potassium than leading sports drinks. As a great tasting, fat free and low calorie route to natural hydration, Vita Coco has become the best natural alternative to sports drinks, pure and flavoured bottled waters for consumers.

Usage

Vita Coco coconut water can be drunk as it is for natural refreshment and as a sports drink to replenish any salts lost during sports activities. It is the perfect choice whether you are just balancing life's every day demands or running your next marathon.

Ingredients

100% Coconut water from young green coconuts.

Other Information

The natural hydration and nutritional properties of Vita Coco Coconut water has won the attention of celebrities of sportsmen and celebrities alike. So much so that some of the celebrity have invested in the company. Madonna, Demi Moore, Matthew McConaughey and Anthony Kiedis are four of the well known names who have become such big fans of Vita Coco, they have now invested in the brand.

No Added Sugar, Vegan.