Week Three: Progress and Potential

The last two weeks have been hectic, hard but happening. In the second week I began defining key challenges at the school. The school currently has two main and accountable teachers and Pokie the visionary and director at the school. With the help of Titi, a Playing for Change Band member, and resident of Guguletu, I connected with local musicians and began to envision the potential at the school.

I love the vibrant life in Guguletu. Though I get odd looks as a white woman in a black township the communities around the school are becoming accustomed to my face. They smile, wave or gesture in recognition and respect.

I feel blessed to have the opportunity to explore Guguletu with Titi. A fun experience last week included doing outreach for the school and Community Day currently postponed to August 22nd. Titi and I walked for an hour flyering. We taped our ad to our shirts. Kids, women, men, store managers and more looked at us with curious faces as we walked through the streets, laughing and talking under the African sun. These experiences enable me to explore Guguletu, meet local kids and enjoy the afternoon vibe outside the school parameters.

This week has tested my resilience. To my chagrin the current Ntonga Music School board meets my suggestions with reluctance. This is partially due to my position as a young American. More importantly, the board wants to do things their way. Unfortunately going at their pace it would take months to accomplish what is possible within a few weeks.

Following a week of board meetings and challenging conversations the board has decided to put out an ad and open the school to new music teachers. Hhaving young, engagin teachers with the energy, inspiration and vision to bring the school to its fullest potential, is KEY.

The next few weeks will be exciting. Introducing new teachers and increasing student numbers is the beginning of something great!

More to come.

Guguletu, South Africa.

To return to PFCF main page or make a donation, click on the below link:
www.playingforchange.org

My return to the Ntonga Music School has marked a week of opportunities, musical moments and challenging moments. As most remember, I studied at the University of Cape Town last spring volunteering at the Ntonga Music School every Sunday morning. This experience inspired my thesis in which I researched the Legacy of Apartheid in South Africa, with a focus on the Cape Flats, (the region where this school is located).

Returning to the Ntonga Music School has been a true joy. Having taught two teenage boys to play harp every Sunday in spring 2009, I had hoped to return to the school following my gradutation from UC Berkeley. The Playing for Change Foundation gave me this opportunity.

My current job includes doing outreach for the school, looking to create a creative structure at the school, teaching harp to eager students, and supporting the school in making their musical vision a reality. However, this vision does not come without challenges.

Having visited the school weekly last spring, being at the school seven hours a day, Monday-Friday offers a completely different perspective on township life. Upon departing at 5pm daily, I often find men and woman where they were when I arrived at 10am that morning. Unemployment is one explanation for this lifestyle.

Coming to Guguletu Township from a college lifestyle, is a 360 degree change in pace. I am accustomed to a fast pace life. When arriving at the school, Pokie, the school visionary, and director, is often listening to music and hanging out. This is something I am not used to. It is Cape Town time plus Cape Flats time. S-L-O-W.

With the World Cup and school just starting, most students dont arrive for lessons until 3pm. I arrive daily around 10am. Waiting for their arrival while busying myself with other tasks is totally worth it. When the children arrive, the faces of excitment and eagerness are fabulous. While there is much to be done in organizing lessons, kids are eager to learn harp, play drums, guitar, piano, trumpet and more. Most of the students embrace the instruments with focus, passion, and excitement.

While I am working to get morning classes in session, I currently teach a 16-year-old boy in the morning, harp. He left school last year but is very focused and hard working. He arrives promptly for his 11:30 lesson, demonstrating enthusiasm at this opportunity to learn. Though not currently attending school, he spends his days listening to music recordings and studying music. The time he spends at the Ntonga Music School gives him daily structure in his life.

He is an example of the positive and empowering role music holds in the lives of youth.

While there are many things to address at the school, the potential is incredibly exciting.

More to come!

To return to PFCF main page or make a donation, click on the below link:
www.playingforchange.org