She is a successful musician whose talent for the performing arts was first nurtured at school in her native Zimbabwe.And now Anna Mudeka is using her passion for music to help orphans at her former school and bring a taste of Africa to rural Norfolk.

She is a successful musician whose talent for the performing arts was first nurtured at school in her native Zimbabwe.

And now Anna Mudeka is using her passion for music to help orphans at her former school and bring a taste of Africa to rural Norfolk.

On August 1 she will host a world music event at her home in Southburgh, near Dereham, which is planned to kickstart a fundraising drive to pay for the education of 20 orphans at Rugare Primary School. They are all aged 10 or 11 and many of them have lost their parents to AIDS. For each child it will cost �120 to send them to school for a year.

Ms Mudeka, a professional singer, dancer and drummer who performs traditional and original Zimbabwean music, said: 'To lose a parent at any age is really tough but for these 10 or 11 year olds it has meant they have had to grow up really quickly.

'We are talking about children who have had to grow up within weeks, without anything to look forward to.

'What is left for them? Education is what there is and education will help them get out of that dark place.

'They are the future of Zimbabwe and that is why I want to help them.'

As well as raising money Ms Mudeka said she also wants to bring something different to rural Norfolk.

'It is going to be a day full of culture, music and food. We are going to transport people to Africa and to other parts of the world,' she said, adding that people would be able to have a go at African and Cuban drumming as well as learn circus skills.

They will also be a whole host of performances with Ms Mudeka performing in The Anna Mudeka Band and among the other acts are Cuban musician Jose Ferrera, Drumzkool, and Jally Keba Susso, a kora player from Senegal.

There will also be stalls selling crafts and instruments from different parts of the world and the chance for people to sample some Caribbean food.

This music event is not the first time Ms Mudeka has helped her former school. She has already sent over gifts of sports equipment, computers, musical instruments and more with the help of a number of schools and individuals in Norfolk.

Ms Mudeka is also collecting sports equipment and football kits for the children.

Anybody who would like to help the children or who wants more information on World Music in Southburgh at Burton Manor Barns on August 1 should contact Ms Mudeka on 01362 822194 or by emailing info@tambai.org.uk