The sound of drumming will fill Hammersmith and Fulham parks this month as school-children learn to sing African songs and play traditional instruments.

Zimbabwe Women's Network UK (ZIWNUK) will be driving a van painted in zebra stripes around the borough's open spaces.

Loaded with instruments and musicians, the safari van is based on mobile playgrounds which tour African villages.

ZIWNUK aims to introduce six to 12-year-olds to African culture through music.

Network founder, Yvonne Marimo, said: "The African Village Mobile Playground, or jambo bwana hakuna matata offers something different for children.

"They will learn first-hand the historical and cultural context of African play; drumming, singing, ululating and dance, as a way of communicating and expressing a positive attitude towards life."

Children will have the opportunity to try their skill at African drums, marimba and shaker instruments.

The Big Lottery is funding the mobile playground which will make stops in Hammersmith and Fulham during the next three years.

The African Village Mobile Playground is the second project for young people currently being run by ZIWNUK.

Choose a Future has been run successfully for twoyears and is aimed at teenagers.

Currently working with young people from Townmead Youth Club in Townmead Road, Fulham, the 12-week course provides a range of activities on two evenings a week, dealing with school and college work, employment opportunities and health.

Funding is now being sought for another course, to run later this year.