This project will allow 30 young people with musical talent to continue their education at Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA) - the only music school in Zanzibar - and give them an opportunity not only to develop their talents but also to change their lives. DCMA was established in 2002 and throughout the years had more than 1600 students. It has gained an international reputation winning a number of regional and international awards for teaching traditional music.
The youth of Zanzibar have minimal access to music education of any kind. DCMA gives them a chance to study music and through that to find an employment. As an NGO, DCMA is primarily supported by international donors, but the donations DCMA is receiving are not enough to cover costs of education for all of our students. Most of our students can't afford paying any tuition, so free education is the only chance for them to study.
This project will allow 30 students to continue their education for free. Our students become well educated musicians, both practically and theoretically. The ability of music to raise spirits and inspire is something that most people innately understand. The discipline of actually learning to play an instrument is altogether harder, but the pleasure of creating combined with the process of learning are helping youth in Zanzibar to find a new path in life.
Youth unemployment (21,3 %) is one the highest in Africa. DCMA uses music as a tool for youth empowerment. For many of our students music becomes a profession. Thanks to DCMA they enjoy local and international music careers. DCMA is working with tourism sector and organizes more than 200 paid concerts a year. 2/3 of the teaching staff are Academy's graduates. DCMA students and graduates are regularly performing in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa and other continents.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
