By Chris Maher | Founder & CEO
Hello and Happy New Year from Musical Youth Foundation HQ!
This time last year I was sitting at my desk wondering how I was going to keep the Musical Youth Foundation afloat. We had almost no funds in the bank, donations were few and far between and ultimately I had to decide if I should give the green light for the first term of 2015 to proceed. Meaning I'd get a bill in March for lessons, but if I didn't I'd be leaving 100 vulnerable children without their weekly guitar lessons and practise sessions which for many is their favourite day of the week and the only time they get any positive affirmation.
There wasn't even enough funds on hand to pay myself the very small, minimum wage salary I get to keep the show on the road while I work to build up the Musical Youth Foundation. That's nothing new to be honest. I've gone months without any sort of payment at all in the past in order to ensure we could provide the children with lessons. I’m not doing this for money, it’s much more important than that. I've learnt to do without in order to ensure I can keep the project alive. When you see first-hand how much of an impact the classes have on the kids we strive to help, well then there’s just no question you'll do what it takes. No matter the personal sacrifice.
Twelve months later and the situation is not much different in personal terms. I'm still struggling to source enough money to pay myself a small salary which would allow me to work full-time on the growth and development of the charity without having to worry about paying the rent and bills and perhaps having even a little left over to bring the girlfriend out for dinner and a movie or replacing the leaky soles on my shoes. I'm telling you this because I want you to understand that the Musical Youth Foundation is something I'm not just passionate about, I'm willing to die for the cause. It’s not some business venture I can walk away from because it’s not turning a profit. This is about making a real and lasting difference to the lives of some of Ireland’s most vulnerable citizens and Failure is Not an Option. After all, if I don't help these kids then who will? Sounds dramatic and perhaps you think I’m using poetic licence to try and tug on your heart-strings so you’ll dig deep with the donations, but my friends this is just the truth and reality of life trying to build a charity in the aftermath of a global recession.
Personal challenges aside, how did we get on in 2015?
On the bright side (there is always a bright side) with hard work, sheer determination and of course your invaluable support we’ve managed to double the size of the charity in the last 12 months bringing the total number of children we help from 100 to over 200 across 17 locations in Ireland. The impact we are having on each of these young, vulnerable lives is truly outstanding. Not a bad result when you consider that back in January 2015 I was weeks away from having to pause all activity, get a job that actually pays a salary and then try to work on fundraising for the Musical Youth Foundation in my spare time.
So on reflection and despite the lack of financial resources I guess 2015 wasn't such a bad year after all. Now as we face into 2016 I'm more determined than ever to find a way to source and secure enough funding to ensure I can keep working full-time on developing the charity and of course helping even more at-risk children access life-changing music education classes.
You can really help, not just by donating what you can afford but by sharing our mission with your friends and work colleagues and encouraging them to join our team of supporters. Perhaps you own or work for a business that could afford to give a little bit more or that would be willing to sponsor a centre or even a basic salary for me so I could focus on the bigger picture instead of fire-fighting to raise a few bob here and there all the time?
If together we could find just 300 businesses willing to donate €500. each in 2016 we could help approximately 865 children and would be well on our way to ensuring a brighter future for some of Ireland's most vulnerable citizens.
Financial challenges aside, I’d like to try and share with you our generous supporters a little of what’s been happening in community centres around Ireland over the last few weeks and months. I hope I can find the words to help you to imagine just how important these classes are to all the children. Here goes….
With your support ‘Guitars for Kids’ projects have been sprouting up around Ireland. We now have new centres in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Mayo and Offaly. There is renewed energy and a sense of excitement amongst the young folk and adults alike as vulnerable young children, that otherwise would not have had the opportunity, get access to life-changing music education programmes. It’s a joy to witness a room of young children, smiles and eyes alike, wide with excitement as they remove their guitar starter packs from the bulky cardboard boxes they arrived in. The sound of laughter fills the air, followed quickly by the first guitar strings being strummed. It’s not long before every guitar is strumming away, not quite in harmony just yet but a joyful sound none the less. Young faces transfixed by the seemingly strange instrument before them, theirs to keep for as long as they participate in the Musical Youth Foundation classes.
There’s a sense of possibility in the air. These kids don’t get too many opportunities but they definitely appreciate been given the opportunity to learn to play the guitar. For many it is their first chance to be part of a close circle of new friends from multicultural backgrounds all learning and sharing together in a positive, criticism free environment.
Lesson one; the Musical Youth Foundation teachers introduce the children to the instrument, explaining the various parts, what they’re called, their function and the general plan for the coming weeks and months. Driven by the children everyone agrees on some basic fundamentals for the weekly lessons and practise sessions: Always Be Positive. Don’t be afraid to share what’s on your mind. Share what you learn with others / helping fellow students. Always show Respect. The importance of being on time for lessons, taking part and not being disruptive are just some of the young students suggestions to ensure a positive, friendly and welcoming atmosphere in which everyone can learn, play and enjoy their instrument.
It’s not long before the children are suggesting songs they’d like to be able to play someday. Already the sharing has begun as the students introduce fellow group members to their personal favourite songs of the moment. From this our teachers will devise a lesson plan so that everyone has the opportunity to learn the chords required to play their favourite songs for friends, family and the wider community or just for their own enjoyment.
Our dedicated and passionate teachers understand the importance of music education for kids and the many benefits it is proven to provide. Over the course of the last number of weeks they’ve been covering the fundamentals on performance skills, keeping time, dictating basic rhythms, playing as part of an ensemble and developing hand/eye/feet co-ordination. Students are learning several basic chords and the conventions of basic chord/song diagrams. Already our teachers can see positive development in the students technical control of the guitar.
With Christmas in the air our groups have also been learning to play Jingle Bells, and other seasonal favourites, solo and as part of a group – with different parts being played by different people but all at the same time to create a magical and unique rendition of old Christmas Classics. Naturally the music is becoming embedded in the community and our groups will feature throughout the year at annual celebrations and events within the schools and community centres as each groups abilities progress and develop. We are putting down roots for the future!
Although it is still very early in the development phase of their learning there were already some live performances in classrooms and halls for the very first time and the sense of achievement and the personal growth is clear for everyone connected with these young children to see. For many it would have been the first time performing in front of any kind of audience. This is a huge boost to them personally and will help their confidence back in the classroom during their academic studies and in day to day life.
All teachers are reporting students are noticeably more engaged with music often taking time to practice after classes, asking questions frequently and taking direct interest in the class and materials provided. There is a great atmosphere of teamwork in classes, with older and more able students taking time to teach and encourage friends who may not be as able yet. Learning to play is a personal journey, not a competition to be the greatest and the students seem to understand this. There’s no pressure and in this atmosphere they really flourish.
What the Teachers, Youth Workers & Students are saying:
“Thank you again, for the very generous donation of guitars, you can see the difference it makes to the young people. Makes our jobs so much easier. You do incredible work!” – Carmel, Youth Services Manager, St Andrews Resource Centre
“I’m thrilled to be working with such a great organisation to help kids benefit from learning to play the guitar. It had a huge impact on me growing up and I’m honoured to help the Musical Youth Foundation spread the joy of music far and wide. I see the difference it makes every week during the lessons, it’s fantastic.” – Kevin, Guitar Teacher
“Thank you so much for all the instruments. The lessons are really fantastic, Tracy is great. The students really love the classes. We have some very intent learners!”– Susan, Teaching Staff, Presentation Primary School, Galway
“I love the guitar. I never thought I’d get one. I can’t wait to learn more.” - Daniel, age 9
“I’m practising every day, hopefully I’m getting better too.” – Helen, age 9
“I’ve made friends in the group and teacher doesn’t mind helping when I don’t understand something.” - Jarrad, age 10
"The guitar classes are my favourite day of the week." - Andy, age 14
"It's mad, I can now play the guitar and I'm showing my little brother a few things too." - Sarah, age 15
So I hope that gives you some idea of why I believe in this cause so strongly, why I’m willing to make so many personal sacrifices to keep the show on the road and why my motto for 2016 which I will recite to myself every morning and probably again in the afternoon and evening will be; Failure is Not an Option! After all, now there's even more kids relying on me to find a way to convince you and many others to support our cause!
Please, Please, Please do help in any way you can and most importantly use your voice to spread the message far and wide by sharing our project with everyone you know and maybe even a few you don’t!?
Until next time…
Thanks and Best Wishes,
Chris
Founder & CEO
Musical Youth Foundation
By Chris Maher | Founder & CEO
By Chris Maher | Founder & CEO
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