Our journey began with a passionate intern and for two years, the much-anticipated music center in Al Aqaba was a dream coming true. 41 students gather after school to learn violin, viola and cello. Lina Karamali's hard work has created a Center, bringing together a community of people united through music, exploring the value of music in restoring spirit and heart. And after only a few months of playing, the young students were invited to perform at universities. Let's keep this going!
Al Aqaba is a small community bordered by Israeli Army training grounds. Bombing and target practice can be heard from the school and tanks practice nearby. Army bulldozers are demolishing homes near the village weekly. Living through dangerous circumstances, especially as a child, is very hard and many face anger and grief. For children who may be traumatized by their experiences, music is vital for healing but children and teenagers have had little access to music and need instruments.
Help continue the music center in Al Aqaba, where learning, playing, and healing through music help soothe trauma, provide an outlet for stress, and so help build peace. Hosted by Al Aqaba's Ibn Rush'd Library and mentored by the Edward Said Conservatory of Music in Ramallah, third graders at Al Aqaba's elementary school received instruments on loan. Music teachers visit weekly to give lessons. Their passionate teacher is opening similar music programs in refugee camps and other villages too.
When people come together to play music to raise funds for this project and through the music program itself in Al Aqaba, their collective efforts truly make hearts sing. In Al Aqaba, soon, anyone can go to the Ibn Rush'd Library to listen to recordings, and learn to play music. Stress, grief, and trauma obstruct one's ability to think clearly; by providing music to heal, reduce stress, and open a constructive outlet, we hope to benefit the children of Al Aqaba, rekindle hope and inspire peace.
This project has provided additional documentation in a XLSX file (projdoc.xlsx).
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