Stand Up: David Wright, Chief Bongoer

So David, each year it’s hard for St Andrews students to miss your luminous orange jumpers and wacky characters running about town in morph onesies, but what’s Bongo really all about?

Bongo Ball is put on in aid of the Xavier Project, a charity which was set up three years ago by ex-St Andrews student, Ed Page.

And what does the Xavier Project do?

Aiming to provide support for refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the project offers education for children and employment opportunities for their families. The idea is that the project gives assistance to families so that they can eventually support themselves. We offer child sponsorships, micro-finance initiatives and extracurricular camps for children. For example, the project often sponsors a child for two years in the hope that this will help support the family enough so that they can pay their own school fees.

Currently the charity sponsors fifty families, but we are hoping to double that number. Ed has moved out to East Africa full-time and is currently running the Ugandan and Kenyan offices, developing the charity into a full-blown organisation.

You went out to East Africa this summer to work on the Xavier Project. What exactly were you doing?

I worked on one of the charity’s micro-finance initiatives in Nairobi, which was employing refugees to manufacture fabrics and produce clothes. It had been running for three months without many sales or much direction, and so it was my job to create a strategy in order to increase sales and therefore profit for the refugee’s families.

Nairobi must be a pretty eye-opening place. What was it like working there?

I was actually based in the largest slum in Africa, called Kibera. It is right in the centre of Nairobi and is full of refugees. I worked, ate and lived there, immersing myself in the community. Fellow Bongoer Ally Ferrans was also working on the project this summer, and we even went out to clubs and bars, finding ourselves wading through mud and dirt. It was a lot of fun, but definitely put everything in perspective.

What made you decide to go and work on the project?

I’ve been on the Bongo committee since my first year and was so impressed by the cause that when I had the opportunity to go to East Africa I grabbed it. The Xavier Project is a tiny charity, so much so that I could actually see the difference I was making. It’s a small group of young people who make it enjoyable, but we were all there for one reason only and the work we did was remarkably rewarding.

So how does Bongo Ball itself fit in?

The ball raises much-needed money for the Xavier Project’s development and progress, end of story. In fact, it provides over 50% of the charity’s annual revenue, and so by coming to Bongo Ball you are directly helping to improve the lives of refugees and their families. Not only that, but you get to enjoy an awesome event. Last year we raised over £7000 but this time we’re hoping to go higher.

How would you describe Bongo?

It’s basically a bit of an African adventure, something a little different to the other events in St Andrews. Held at an abandoned RAF airbase, the setting’s chilled, rustic and has countless charms which are lacking elsewhere. We have East African band, Zambula, a number of DJs performing, a shisha tent, two bars and two dancefloors. It’s bigger and better than ever before.

And what advice would you give to those who may be worried about their outfit?

The theme is black tie meets absolutely African, but you can wear whatever you want. Go wild! It’s the only event in St Andrews where you can turn up in a suit or as a lion and no one will feel out of place. In the past we’ve had giraffes, bananas and zebras. But if you’re struggling for ideas we’ll be selling Rafiki Clothes – shorts and pyjamas made by the Xavier Project refugees themselves – outside the library from now until the event. You won’t be able to miss them; just look out for the most vibrant colours under the sun and crazy patterns.

Finally, give us Bongo in one sentence?

Bongo’s not just a name, not just a noun but a verb – you could say it’s a lifestyle.

A Thank You from the Xavier Project from The Bongo Ball on Vimeo.

Bongo Ball takes place on 26.10.12. Ticket sales are on 12.10.12, at 11am outside Rascals.

The Stand are giving away two free tickets and all you have to do is like this photo and the bongo ball Facebook page. For more info visit The Bongo Website.