OUR GOAL THIS YEAR? TO BRING MUSIC & LIFE-SKILLS
EDUCATION
FOR A WHOLE YEAR TO 50 DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
ACROSS UGANDA, RWANDA AND LIBERIA.
Last year more than half the children in sub-Saharan Africa did not receive any form of education (World Economic Forum). The impact of the pandemic on young people has been uniquely acute, particularly for countries already battling extreme poverty and weak health infrastructures. In many of the communities we work with, young people have been left with little hope for a brighter future.
From 1st November-31st December 2022, will your school join to #PlayYourPart? Together we can transform the lives of children and young people by providing one entire year of Music & Life-Skills education.
“Brass for Africa has done amazing things for us. The children have changed – even the school has changed. They now have self-esteem because they can pick up their instrument and play without fear. Really it is wonderful”.
TOM WANKWASI, HEADMASTER – ST JOHN LEONARD’S PRIMARY SCHOOL UGANDA
THE PROBLEM
During the pandemic, the children and young people that we work with have been critically impacted by a total lack of education, low parental support, severe mental health issues and food insecurity or even starvation. As some schools or families of wealthier nations moved to e-learning, families within the communities we work with lacked the technology or affordable connectivity to do the same.
OF CHILDREN IN AFRICA RECEIVED LITTLE TO NO EDUCATION DURING 2020. MANY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO WORK IN UNSAFE AND UNCLEAN CONDITIONS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. (WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM)
IN UGANDA, A CHILD BORN IN 2020 WILL ONLY BE 38% AS PRODUCTIVE AS THOSE WHO RECEIVED A COMPLETE EDUCATION – IN COMPARISON TO 80% IN THE UK. (WORLD BANK)
OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA’S CHILDREN COULD BE DEALING WITH FOOD INSECURITY AS A RESULT OF THE LOSS OF INCOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC. (UNICEF)
OF GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN SEXUAL VIOLENCE, TEEN PREGNANCY OR FORCED EARLY MARRIAGE DURING 2020. (LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS)
SUCCESS STORY
Meet Joan. Before joining Brass for Africa, Joan was shy and lacked self-belief. She found it difficult to express herself and communicate with her friends and the people around her. But now, thanks to learning Music & Life-Skills at Kawempe Youth Centre, one of our partner organisations in Kampala, she has the confidence to stand up for herself, to be a leader in her school and to express her feelings openly.
WILL YOU #PLAYYOURPART AND GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE JOAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE?
THE SOLUTION
What changes when children and young people get access to Music & Life-Skills education at Brass for Africa?
Brass for Africa currently works with over 2000 extremely disadvantaged children and young people across Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia. Our impact reaches orphans, ex-street children, refugees, and vulnerable young people, most of whom would otherwise lack access to education. Since 2009, we have seen first-hand how the opportunity to learn and play music has had a profound and empowering impact on the lives of these individuals. For many, playing their instrument is the only way to escape the difficult challenges they face on a daily basis.
Through music, children and young people learn fundamental life-skills such as confidence, communication, team-work, and resilience, which they can use to overcome their day-to-day challenges.
More time spent in a safe, structured, and protected space means less time engaging in dangerous situations, such as prostitution or street crime.
By learning music and life-skills together and performing in the band, children and young people make friends and spend less time in isolation, also reducing mental-health issues.
Music performances, marches, and special events encourage families to allow children and young people to engage in skills-development activities and to attend school.
The employment of local BfA Music and Life-Skills Teachers as role-models empowers the children and young people of tomorrow.
EDUCATION
SOLUTION 1
SAFETY
SOLUTION 2
FRIENDSHIPS
SOLUTION 3
OPPORTUNITY
SOLUTION 4
EMPOWERMENT
SOLUTION 5
“What a joy to be in partnership with Brass for Africa! Whilst on one hand so much divides, this collaboration teaches that far more unites and it has, for all involved, been wonderfully eye-opening and – for many – life-changing”.
PETER THOMAS, HEADMASTER – READING BLUE COAT SCHOOL, UK.
GET IN TOUCH
We’re here to help! If you have any questions or require any more information please get in touch with Andrea Berbegal, Director of Development by email. Click here to email.