Help a South African Community Rebuild with Music

Early this year the program team at the Playing For Change Foundation worked on strategy with the leadership team at the Ntonga Music School that could grow the school in a manageable way, increase community outreach and participation as well as improve the overall structure of the music school.

Since February we have seen encouraging progress. We now have a strong administrator in place, and three new committee member candidates from Gugulethu. There are approximately 40-50 consistent students and up to 100 students that are participating in the program. There has been outreach to two local schools and a small event at a nearby township. Derrick, Ntonga's administrator is in constant communication with parents and checking in on students that miss a class, including visiting their homes. We have a solid, experienced candidate for the vocal teacher. We’ll be making final decisions on the committee and vocal teacher in the next one to two weeks.  

The spirit and energy of the school continues to strengthen. We have heard the impact the program is having from the students themselves,

"I play drums and I feel playing drums is going to make my future. I'm not going to become a gangster, it is going to do good things for me and make my life good."-  Mphumzi, 13 years old

"I have confidence when playing my guitar and I know the notes of the music I'm playing." - Eletmu, 8 years old

"I have learned team work, to work together and to share." - Liami, 6 years old

"I've learned a lot of new things here, such as how music connects me to other people and how I learn new things with them." - Zizpho, 18 years old

The community of Gugulethu is the heart of the music school and it's success. We're so happy to continue our relationship with the society of Gugulethu "Gugs" that thrives despite adversity and has the ability to see the positive regardless of the challenges.  

Links:

• http://playingforchange.org/
• http://playingforchange.org/programs/detail/ntonga_music_school
• https://www.facebook.com/PlayingForChangeFoundation?ref=br_tf

This postcard is submitted by Chi Nguyen, our In-The-Field Representative who is traveling through Southern Africa.

On the morning of Wednesday, February 26th, 2014, I was able to visit Pokie and Derrick of Ntonga Music School. Although it was too early for the younger ones to arrive at Ntonga, I was able to witness Pokie giving a one-on-one bass lesson to an older student of his. When asked how he enjoyed Ntonga, a huge smile spread across the blossoming bass player's face and he said, "I love it. I come here every day, every single day, before work. It is my passion."

I watched as the two of them improvised a duet together, both of them rocking back and forth, lost in the music. What a wonderful way to start off the day indeed.