Making a real difference
Many underprivileged children do not have the benefit of a secure family environment in which to develop their education and learn social skills. For them, the challenge and fulfilment of performing music in a group offers an opportunity to learn how to integrate socially and express and assert themselves in a way that enhances not just their own characters but also the group’s performance, as a whole. They are thus far more likely to have the self-belief, ability and will to build a successful career than those who never have such an opportunity.
Our first three projects are in Africa – identified during David Juritz’s Round the World and Bach busking tour in 2007. We have ambitions to run projects in other countries and are currently exploring possibilities in India and Thailand. The possibilities are endless.
A flexible approach
There is no one solution that works for all; every project needs different forms of help depending on where it is and the resources it already has. We are flexible in our approach and are as likely to fund the purchase of musical instruments and sheet music as we are to help hire, renovate or equip a hall so that children can put on performances – so important in setting goals and building self-esteem.
Read more about our first four projects:
- Tender Talents Magnet School, Kampala, Uganda – for teenaged AIDS orphans and children from the poorest of Kampala’s community the school has recently begun taking children escaping the Northern Conflict. With our support they now provide piano, guitar, percussion and music-theory lessons as well as choral training and music workshops for between 50 and 70 children. The choir will give six concerts a year.
- Hout Bay Strings, Cape Town, South Africa – while in Cape Town on his Round the World and Bach busking tour, David Juritz played a concert to raise money for this music project that takes kids from the squatter camps. We raised £700 and would like to continue to support them.
- The Melodi Music Project, Soweto – also while busking round the world, David Juritz visited Soweto and was impressed by the work of this project, run by Nimrod Moloto, which provides education, musical instruments and professional tuition to a large group of disadvantaged children. Musequality donated £500.
- M-Lisada Brass Band, Kampala, Uganda – we have given this group a small, one-off grant specifically to repair some of its musical instruments, many of which had holes which had been plugged with chewing gum. While this is resourceful, we thought they deserved better.
We hope soon to help other groups, in other countries around the world.
