TRANSFORM LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC
Together we can empower young people across Africa and drive lasting and positive change in health, education, and equality.
sponsor a project
By sponsoring a project with Brass for Africa, you’re not just supporting music; you’re investing in social impact across health, education, and equality. *On average, our projects start at £10,000.
HOW SPONSORING A PROJECT WORKS
Here are three steps you can expect:
1
We send your gift where it’s needed most
On average, projects start at £10,000 and can cost £25,000 or more depending on the location and project type.
2
We share on-the-ground updates
3
You see your impact within 12 months
After one year, we’ll share your customised Impact Report, which will include outcomes, project photos, and specific information about the difference you’ve made.
A TAILORED APPROACH
AFRICAN AND YOUTH LED
Our organisation boasts a truly homegrown and sustainable model: our Music & Life-Skills teachers are all alumni of our programmes, uniquely qualified to understand the difficulties our participants face because they come from the same backgrounds.
We also employ ex-students to join our management team, further solidifying our commitment to developing talent from within. This approach ensures a deep understanding of our community’s needs and fosters a continuous cycle of growth and leadership, all under the guidance of our African CEO, Andrew Agassi.
LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS
We work with a robust network of partners including community-based organisations, international NGOs, and national and local governments.
Our programmes are delivered in partnership with over 30 organisations, all run and led by local people.
These collaborations are crucial for the sustainability of our life-changing work across Sub-Saharan Africa, as our local partners are true experts with nuanced knowledge of the regions we serve.
We are impact-driven and prove every project
We are committed to monitoring and evaluating our programmes to ensure their long-term sustainability. We meticulously gather data, tracking everything from musical proficiency and academic progress to the development of life-skills education. This allows us to adapt our programmes, maximising their effectiveness and ensuring our interventions remain culturally relevant and responsive. This rigorous, locally-driven process empowers generations of young people to thrive for years to come
featured programmes
Location: Bidibidi Refugee Settlement
Uganda is currently facing one of the world’s most significant humanitarian challenges, hosting over 1.6 million refugees, predominantly from South Sudan. This includes over 240,000 individuals, 86% of whom are women and children, residing in Bidibidi, one of the largest refugee settlements globally.
The immense influx places severe strain on resources and leaves many vulnerable with limited opportunities.
Location: Kalangala, Ssese Islands
The global fight against HIV/AIDS remains critical, with 34 million people living with HIV worldwide. A staggering 69% of these individuals are in Sub-Saharan Africa (United Nations). Within Uganda, the town of Kalangala, nestled in the Ssese Islands, faces a particularly severe challenge, with an estimated 18% of its population testing HIV positive, significantly higher than the national average of 7.3% (United Nations AIDS Commission).
We’re tackling this head-on by delivering a comprehensive Music & Life-Skills training and HIV/AIDS awareness programme to disadvantaged children and young people in Kalangala. Through weekly training sessions and close collaboration with the District Health Office, we’re making a significant contribution towards an AIDS-free generation and reducing the stigma surrounding the condition. Our “Health Clubs,” run alongside music sessions, aim to create Health Ambassadors within the community. Our latest monitoring and evaluation shows fantastic progress: young people’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS has jumped from 50% to 72%, and the stigma associated with living with HIV/AIDS has dramatically dropped from 34% to an impressive 18%.
By engaging beneficiaries and their communities weekly, we’re actively changing mindsets and fostering supportive communities of young people in schools, fishing communities, and music groups. We’ve clearly demonstrated how music, life skills, and social interventions can powerfully reverse cultural beliefs and the devastating effects of the disease.
Location: Kalangala, Ssese Islands
The Dorna Centre Home for Autism is a dedicated organisation committed to supporting children and young people with autism, their families, and the wider autism community.
Their core mission revolves around providing essential education and therapeutic services, all designed to promote greater independence for individuals living with autism within their homes and communities.
Since receiving Oxfam’s VOICE grant in 2020, Brass for Africa has proudly partnered with the Dorna Centre, delivering impactful Music & Life-Skills sessions twice a week. Through these bespoke sessions, we’ve witnessed remarkable transformations among the participants. Initially, concentration spans were limited to just 10 minutes, but now, participants can maintain focus for up to an hour. Furthermore, communication and teamwork have vastly improved; teachers report that individuals who once struggled to interact now engage more readily and collaborate effectively with their peers.
Perhaps most notably, participants’ confidence has soared.
What began with shyness has blossomed into eager participation, with children now running to greet the Brass for Africa bus and assisting with instruments. Their newfound confidence has even led to public performances, including playing for the Ugandan Minister for Disability, showcasing their remarkable progress and the profound impact of music and life-skills education.
