What is the project?
In partnership with the German non-profit organisation Music Connects, and through the official support of the UNHCR Uganda, we have launched our Lab Uganda and Community Music programme in BidiBidi refugee settlement. The German-Ugandan Development Cooperation supported the manufacturing of the truck, which is ultimately a lab fully equipped with a recording studio, a fold-down stage, a cinema, and fully functioning WiFi. This mobile machine is now moving around the Zones of Bidibidi refugee settlement, allowing the residents to use all of the equipment in the truck, and to also access Music and Life-Skills sessions led by five Brass for Africa teachers.
Why are we doing it?
Bidibidi settlement is based on the border of South Sudan, where 95% of the refugees have fled due to the ongoing civil war. After going through the emotional trauma of fleeing their own country and living with the uncertainty of what will happen in their future, the residents of Bidibidi are low on morale and lack hope.
Within the settlement, 85% of the refugees are children and women. This is a crucial figure in our goal of equipping disadvantaged children and youth with the necessary skills to fulfil their potential. The statistic also syncs with the need of our objective and Gender Equality key pillar. Considering that more than 17,000 girls and women in the settlement have specific needs (i.e. serious medical conditions, disabilities, vulnerabilities), it clearly showcases the need for our support.
This mobile stage is providing both a physical and metaphoric platform for the refugees to showcase their talent and potential. It gives them the space and opportunity to gather, share, celebrate and learn.
How are we doing it?
Music and Life-Skills sessions will start in Zones 1 and 3 as of this week. The sessions will be focused on these two zones initially so as to ensure that our delivery and model is being done in the right way before expansion. During the launch week, the first instrument clinic took place in Zone 3, where the participants were able to try out the instrument of their choice with a Brass for Africa teacher. For many of the young individuals, it was their first ever time to hold an instrument at all.
The Lab will be accessible to every Zone for the refugees’ use of recording equipment, and the provision of a stage for their performances to showcase their talents, and for them to also be guided in their creative development.
Initial Impressions!
The launch received incredibly positive feedback with a lot of excitement. Support on the ground-level was also highly demonstrated from the District Leaders and Representatives-
Charles, Leader of Zone 2, South Sudanese Refugee (2016):
“? ?? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???? ??. ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ???????? ????? ??? ???? ???’? ???? ????? ?? ??. ???? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ?? ? ??????, ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????? ???. ????? ???? ????????? ??? ???? ??, ?? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????; ????? ??? ????? ???????? ????.”
Maria, Community Service Officer, Officer of the Prime Minister:
“????? ??? ?????? ?? ?? ???????????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ?????? ??? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??. ??? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?? ? ???????? ?? ????? ????? ??????????? ?? ??? ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ?????????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??????. ?? ???????? ??? ???????? ?? ???????? ??? ??????, ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ?? ?????????? ??? ????? ??????? ???????.”
