Hello, I’m Aisha, Media Assistant at Brass for Africa in Uganda.
This month I interviewed Nakeeto Eva, an 18-year-old participant in the Lutoboka Gold Band in Kalangala, one of the Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria (Uganda).
Eva is also a talented cornet player in Brass for Africa’s All-Star Band. During the interview, Eva shared how the life-skills she learned with Brass for Africa have contributed to her successful campaign for a games and sports position.
WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING IN THE BAND?
E: I started playing in the band in 2019.
WE WERE TOLD THAT YOU CONTESTED A GAME AND SPORTS PREFECT POSITION AT YOUR SCHOOL AND WERE ELECTED IN JUNE. WHAT DO YOU THINK HELPED YOU WIN THE ELECTIONS?
E: I am grateful to Brass for Africa for not only teaching us brass music, but also life-skills. The skills I learned in our band lessons greatly contributed to my confidence. I stood in front of everyone and requested their votes.
WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS ELECTED YOU?
E: They voted for me because they saw that I was capable of managing the position. Let me elaborate. Before the elections, we were grouped at school to compete in games, and to my surprise, I led my group to victory. This showcased my abilities in games and sports to my fellow students, who then approached me and encouraged me to contest for the position.
Additionally, some of my peers are aware that I play in the band, and since I had the opportunity to go to Portugal with the All-Star Band, they believed I had more experience than other candidates.
Last year, through the partnership between Brass for Africa and the Academy for Impact through Music, Eva was one of two participants chosen to go to Portugal as a young leader to represent all the Brass for Africa participants.
APART FROM SELF-CONFIDENCE, WHICH OTHER LIFE-SKILLS HELPED YOU TO SUCCEED?
E: Communication skills also helped me a lot because I had to communicate with different kinds of individuals to request their votes.
WHICH SPORTS ACTIVITY DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN?
E: I play football.
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS KNOW YOU AS A BRASS BAND PLAYER WHO HAS TRAVELLED TO PORTUGAL. HOW DID THESE TWO FACTORS HELP YOU WIN THE ELECTION?
E: It’s not only my fellow students who know me as a skilled band player, the teachers are also aware. This is only my second year at the school, and the teachers express pride in having a student who has travelled abroad. This was a crucial factor in my successful campaign for the role.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE?
E: My focus is on becoming a great musician because I have a deep love for music. I see myself as an accomplished musician in the future.
Aisha, Media Department.
