This project supports underpriviledged Vietnamese youth with weekly music and string ensemble lessons. Each student receives a violin or cello and takes lessons after school, 2-3 days a week. Since the start of the program, we have also added guitar classes for girls. On the weekends the students come together to play as a community ensemble. This project creates a place for kids to be mentored, to share their love of music, and create long lasting friendships.
Although Vietnam has been gaining in wealth over the past decade, and made gains in social programs, these improvements have occurred in the larger cities among a small number of the population, and still remain outside the realm of the very poor. Approximately 75% of the population continues to live in poverty. Although many children go to school, music programs are only available to the wealthy. Students living in poor areas cannot afford musical instruments or instruction.
We work with underprivileged youth in the province of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam to provide after school music and art classes, providing a place for students to come together and be part of a supportive community of students and mentors. Each student receives a stringed instrument and lessons. We also provide aid as needed for our students and families, by paying the tuition fees to their local schools through high school and college as needed.
Our program helps to develop a positive self-image, leadership skills, and a sense of community for our students. Through surveys of our students and their parents, we have seen the students create unique place of support among themselves and rely on their teachers as mentors outside of their family life. Their parents have told us how our program gives the students something to do, keeping them out of trouble, and how their kids have become more ambitious and confident overall.
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