WHERE WE WORK
Brass for Africa operates in three countries: Uganda, Liberia and Rwanda.
We work in partnership with community-based organisations, and our local team of teachers are all African and alumni of the programmes themselves. We have also developed strong international partnerships with organisations whom we choose to work with, such as Ronnie Scott’s and Cheltenham Music Festival, where we performed in July 2019.
WHERE WE WORK
Brass for Africa operates in three countries: Uganda, Liberia and Rwanda.
We work in partnership with community-based organisations, and our local team of teachers are all African and alumni of the programmes themselves. We have also developed strong international partnerships with organisations whom we choose to work with, such as Ronnie Scott’s and Cheltenham Music Festival, where we performed in July 2019.
HOW WE WORK
In partnership with Mango Tree, an African-led curriculum specialist, we have designed a tailored programme that integrates music
education with life-skills training. Working with over 1,000 children and young people twice a week, we deliver lessons, workshops and performance opportunities to over 20 outreach partners.
Our teachers are alumni of the programmes themselves and, being from the same backgrounds as our participants, they are uniquely qualified to understand the difficulties they face. All of our local staff receive a monthly salary with private health-care access as well as personal and professional development support.
MUSIC EDUCATION
The programmes consists of twice-weekly sessions delivered at each location, regular performance opportunities and exchange days where we bring two or more of our musical communities together. The curriculum is composed of brass band training, music theory lessons and local memory tune learning along with integrated life-skills.
LIFE-SKILLS THROUGH MUSIC
We have created a ground-breaking and innovative curriculum whereby we integrate life-skills into each music lesson. We select an attribute each month, and – through the music – train our participants to approach these as transferable skills, which they can call upon to help them with difficult situations and challenges they may face.
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TEACHER TRAINING
The employment of ex-students and young leaders from its programmes to teach new cohorts is key to the sustainability of our model. Our teaching training programme has currently provided employment opportunities to 18 young teachers, all of who are paid a salary and have access to 1:1 musical training sessions alongside professional and personal development workshops every month, including topics such as leadership, teamwork and budgeting.
INSTRUMENT REPAIR WORKSHOP
We have our own instrument repair workshop where training is provided in instrument repair to local young people, equipping them with the technical skills to maintain the instruments used on the charity’s programmes. Technicians trained in these workshops have come through our programmes themselves, and now also provide repair services to several external customers including the Ugandan Military Band.
HOW WE WORK
In partnership with Mango Tree, an African-led curriculum specialist, we have designed a tailored programme that integrates music
education with life-skills training. Working with over 1,000 children and young people twice a week, we deliver lessons, workshops and performance opportunities to over 20 outreach partners.
Our teachers are alumni of the programmes themselves and, being from the same backgrounds as our participants, they are uniquely qualified to understand the difficulties they face. All of our local staff receive a monthly salary with private health-care access as well as personal and professional development support.
MUSIC EDUCATION
The programmes consists of twice-weekly sessions delivered at each location, regular performance opportunities and exchange days where we bring two or more of our musical communities together. The curriculum is composed of brass band training, music theory lessons and local memory tune learning along with integrated life-skills.
LIFE-SKILLS THROUGH MUSIC
We have created a ground-breaking and innovative curriculum whereby we integrate life-skills into each music lesson. We select an attribute each month, and – through the music – train our participants to approach these as transferable skills, which they can call upon to help them with difficult situations and challenges they may face.
READ MORE
TEACHER TRAINING
The employment of ex-students and young leaders from its programmes to teach new cohorts is key to the sustainability of our model. Our teaching training programme has currently provided employment opportunities to 18 young teachers, all of who are paid a salary and have access to 1:1 musical training sessions alongside professional and personal development workshops every month, including topics such as leadership, teamwork and budgeting.
INSTRUMENT REPAIR WORKSHOP
We have our own instrument repair workshop where training is provided in instrument repair to local young people, equipping them with the technical skills to maintain the instruments used on the charity’s programmes. Technicians trained in these workshops have come through our programmes themselves, and now also provide repair services to several external customers including the Ugandan Military Band.
OUR PROGRESS
Through our locally-run Monitoring and Evaluation Department we are able to accurately track and measure the development of each participant — from the very initial stages through to post-programme evaluation. We ensure that we not only capture data but also use it to assess, refine and improve our impact throughout.
Since we started working in 2009, here is the progress we’ve made. If you would like to learn about the latest data analysis, download our Monthly Highlights Report from below.
OUR PROGRESS
Through our locally-run Monitoring and Evaluation Department we are able to accurately track and measure the development of each participant — from the very initial stages through to post-programme evaluation. We ensure that we not only capture data but also use it to assess, refine and improve our impact throughout.
Since we started working in 2009, here is the progress we’ve made. If you would like to learn about the latest data analysis, download our Monthly Highlights Report from below.
PARTICIPANTS IN OUR CURRENT PROGRAMMES
LOCAL EMPLOYEES IN AFRICA
COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS
COUNTRIES OPERATING IN AFRICA
SUCCESS STORIES
Our participants give us a personal view on what it’s like to be part of Brass for Africa. The opportunity to learn and play music has the most profound, empowering and life-affirming effect, particularly on the disadvantaged young people, orphans, ex-street children, refugees, marginalised and vulnerable children that we support. Read through some of our success stories!
FROM STREET CHILD TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
When I lost my dad and I lost my mum, with all of this pain I never had a way to express it. Because we were street kids, we had our own stories and problems.
‘LEADING CHANGE’ AISHA
Life is what you choose to make it. How I choose to live is my life will determine what I become.
SUCCESS STORIES
Our participants give us a personal view on what it’s like to be part of Brass for Africa. The opportunity to learn and play music has the most profound, empowering and life-affirming effect, particularly on the disadvantaged young people, orphans, ex-street children, refugees, marginalised and vulnerable children that we support. Read through some of our success stories!
FROM STREET CHILD TO THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
When I lost my dad and I lost my mum, with all of this pain I never had a way to express it. Because we were street kids, we had our own stories and problems.
‘LEADING CHANGE’ AISHA
Life is what you choose to make it. How I choose to live is my life will determine what I become.