About St James' School

These fundraising CDs are to raise money for the St James School for girls and boys in Durban. They are a series of CDs recorded by Matthew Grohmann (and supplemented by Gary and Michael Grohmann) featuring mostly original music. They were produced by well-wishers of the St. James School and all proceeds will go to the St. James School in Durban. So far, through concerts, donations and CD sales, some AUD $180,000 has been raised and it is hoped that a further $20,000 will be raised this year.

This story began in 2012 with a problem, a dinner and a phone call!

Matthew was 12 years old; he came to the dinner table with a dilemma, wondering what to do to help others as a ‘Winter project’ for school. Then there was a phone call from the UK – it was a good family friend Richard Elias, who was also Chairman of the fundraising committee for St. James Primary School in Durban South Africa. that The then head of the School Ms Anisha Ramlaul, was touring Australia to raise funds so that the School could continue to function. It was a gruelling timetable involving most Australian capital cities as well as Auckland and Wellington; he asked me if I’d host her to give her a few days break. I said yes and I returned to dinner and announced that we would host Anisha - none of us knew anything about her or St James Durban! However, Matthew immediately said, ‘I know, I’ll make a CD to raise funds for the School’. He then went to the piano and played ‘Calm’ and two other original works which he thought would go well on a CD. We spent 2 days at home recording, improvising etc and ‘Calm’ was produced. Help arrived from local piano tuners, friends in Melbourne and Sydney who helped with recording, design, photos, printing and distribution - all donated. Well-wishers also organised a concert for Matt to launch Calm at the Erasmus School in Melbourne and Anisha was present; this was the first time we met Anisha.

In 2013 I had the opportunity to go to Cape Town for work and Anisha invited us to Durban. We thought that we would stay a day or two but Matt wanted to stay longer and he spent 4 days visiting all classes, working with the students and playing games. Zulu was revelation to him! Most of the teachers take a reduced salary to keep the school operational. Fees are low and there is little government support. The aim of those involved with the school is to give a quality education to underprivileged children who would normally never receive an education. There was a real feeling of compassion in the school and a feeling of people who wanted to do something great for their society and country.

Anisha was travelling to the US in 2014 and invited us to give a concert in San Francisco, hosted by well-wishers there. We launched Hope at this concert. Some 150 people came. US$65,000 was raised. It was an amazing afternoon! We then embarked on concerts in Perth, Canberra, and Melbourne and more money was raised.

The Love CD has now appeared and consists of original compositions and Matt continues his work as a fundraising ambassador. He won a coveted community service award at his previous school for his efforts.

The CDs are for sale at the fundraising price of $25 (or more) and I hope that people will be inspired to buy a CD or two (they make great gifts - only 1200 were made and 400 are already sold).

What does $25 actually do for the School? It provides food, safe travel, books and fees for a few days for a student. It guarantees an education and therefore the future for a student.

All involved in this adventure have learned a great deal; such as -

• You don't need a lot of resources to help others.
• Help is available from everywhere you turn if you ask
• You don't have to be a concert pianist to initiate a project like this
• You do need enthusiasm, patience, endurance, vision and especially Love of your fellow man.
• A touch of audacity and faith can go a long way

We hope that all who purchase the CD will enjoy the music and understand that the donation will significantly help a student at the St James School.