By Thea Karki | Director of Programs and Finance
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.
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