A rocking good way to learn about road safety

Was it chicken-rustling or chirpiness? Historians might argue, but surely it was also their irrepressible enthusiasm that convinced the Brits it was time for the Aussies to have their own island.

In any case, despite being born in Turkey, Aysel Duman has picked up enough from her Sydney upbringing to deliver a powerful blast of sparkle-toothed can-do spirit - which she is currently directed at getting Dubai's children to join the globally-expanding "Rock Challenge".

Vehicle

"We're using it as a vehicle to send out positive messages," she says. "It aims to increase students' self-esteem, confidence and resilience while promoting healthy lifestyles and road safety. Also, it would give children in Dubai something to do on a weekend."

The Rock Challenge started in 1980 as the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge. From a handful of Sydney high schools the idea spread across Australia.

Today it also involves 51 per cent of New Zealand kids, 52,000 South African youngsters and 16,000 UK students - more than 1 million participants worldwide. Dubai's performance, scheduled for the end of the year, will be the first in the Middle East.

"It is a contest where students put on an 8-minute performance to any music that they choose themselves," Duman says. "It's like Moulin Rouge compressed into 8 minutes."

Do it yourself

With the assistance of a squad of experts, students determine every aspect of their performance, which can involve up to 140 children on stage together.

"The whole concept is the students," says Duman. "They decide the costumes, stage designs and makeup. They help edit the music and direct the lighting. It's a long-term commitment."

Duman's personal introduction to it was at 14, leaping about in an Egyptian costume to the sound of Madonna (she was, she confesses, one of the "go-getting ones"). The memory was triggered watching the film Drumline with a friend, which spurred her to contact the organisers bring the idea to Dubai.

Challenge

But it sparked a fairly meaty new challenge for her. Initially in the Middle East to work as a stewardess for Gulf Air, Duman ended up designing furniture in Bali before selling her company and coming to Dubai to paint and work in sales.

Now, her time is spent in a determined hustle for sponsorship and involvement. "I've got 10 schools signed up," she says.

"My aim is to have this as the number one youth cultural event. I want to take it to Cairo, Turkey and Lebanon."

The contest

To speed up the concept's absorption, the challenge is rolling out with children between 13 and 17. Next year will bring on children from 6 to 12 - who should by then be primed by elder siblings.

Their performances must be ready for the end of November. They will then be judged and awarded prizes in a variety of categories.

"It is competitive, but we're focused on fun," she says. "You know us - we're good winners but we're good losers too."

For more information contact Aysel Duman email: aysel@rockchallenge.ae