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.
EDUCATION
Brass for Africa is tackling the education crisis by providing life-skills training, career development opportunities and reducing school dropouts across Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia.
The Challenge
Access to quality education remains out of reach for many, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, stifling potential and perpetuating poverty.
59%
of 15 to 17-year-olds in Sub-Saharan Africa are not attending school, representing the highest out-of-school rates globally.
(UNESCO)
5 in 10
children do not finish primary school while 7 in 10 children do not finish secondary school.
(Uganda Bureau of Statistics)
21.9%
of youth across Sub-Saharan Africa are not in employment, education, or training, exceeding the global rate.
(International Labour Organisation)
1 in 4
girls in Uganda between the age 15–19 get pregnant and drop out of school losing out on all chances of education and career.
(Uganda Ministry of Education)
Our solution
We are committed to the UN’s goal of Quality Education for all (SDG.4), ensuring everyone has the tools and support to succeed.
Life-skills education
Life-skills education
We equip individuals with essential transferable life-skills to navigate life’s challenges effectively.
Our comprehensive life-skills education covers eight key attributes: communication, concentration, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, grit and perseverance, resilience, and problem-solving.
career development
career development
We provide training and mentorship to enhance employability and career prospects.
This includes industrial skills development, careerguidance, and support for business startups, as well as job opportunities.
school drop-out
school drop-out
We work to keep children in school through targeted interventions, including back-to-school campaigns and initiatives to address barriers to learning like access to sanitary pads.
our impact
Our latest research shows that:
ENHANCING
LIFE-SKILLS
14%
increase in agency
Last year, we delivered +4,500 Music & Life-Skills education sessions to over 2,600 children and young people.
IMPROVING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
74%
74% 1st & 2nd Grades
For the third consecutive year, our programme participants outperformed the national average (49%) in academic performance.
FOSTERING LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES
39%
PARTICIPANTS WITH LEADERSHIP ROLES
The percentage of participants with a leadership role in school increased through our programmes.
CREATING TANGIBLE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
100%
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
100% of Brass for Africa’s teachers are alumni of our programmes.
*Statistics derived from the 2024 Education Report by Brass for Africa, published in June 2025
From Curiosity to Confidence:
Barbra’s path to empowerment
Barbra was just a teenager living in Namuwongo, one of Kampala’s largest and poorest informal settlements, when she stumbled upon the sound that would change her life. Overwhelmed by daily responsibilities—caring for siblings, cooking, collecting water—her dreams of becoming a teacher felt far out of reach.
One afternoon in 2019, Barbra followed the sound of a brass band marching through her community. The powerful tones of the tuba captivated her. “I must also play that instrument,” she thought—and from that moment, a new path opened.
Through Brass for Africa’s education programme, Barbra not only learned music but developed critical life-skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence. These skills translated directly into her academic performance and personal growth.
Now, Barbra has completed her apprenticeship to become a Music & Life-Skills teacher. She plays with The Tayside Pearls—Brass for Africa’s pioneering all-girl band— recently travelled to the Netherlands to perform internationally, and is inspiring many girls in her community. Her journey is proof that access to education, when paired with opportunity, can transform lives.
