Visions Aligning

Every structure requires a foundation.

Since coming to Ntonga, implementing a solid structure has been a primary focus. I am excited to report the schools foundation is structurally progressing and its participants visions, aligning!

In the past two weeks, key persons in the Ntonga Board have taken new steps enforcing student sign in sheets, and teacher signatures, to maintain concrete records of music classes in progress.

To my excitement young new faces walk through the doors of Ntonga Music School daily. A recorder class was launched three weeks back now thanks to the ideas and encouragment of two American music teachers, Nellie and Karmella, who visited and assessed the needs of the school. This class gives youth the opportunity to pursue an instrument and explore their own musical sound.

While there is no piano teacher in place currently, youth show up each day giving the teachers and me hope and inspiration. In the afternoon, students wait in line to teach themselves on the piano and keyboard with assistance from Pokie and his daughter, Onke. Since the Ntonga Board assessed CV's, two new teachers, Sticks on percussion and Dave on saxohpone, have started teaching weekly. Their energy adds a new element of inspiration, dedictaion and humor (at moments) to the school.

The third "Life-Skills Course" took place last Saturday. Each week new faces join and new ideas circulate. Student participation brings life and meaning to each session and encourages engagement and new levels of learning and understanding.

A Ntonga Board and teachers meeting is scheduled for this coming Monday.

New ideas, hope and inspiration continue to emerge as the school progresses sustainably forward.

More soon, Guguletu.

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

The Meaning of Life:

Last Saturday, youth at Ntonga convened for the second life-skills course. This meeting connected youth in a circle of sharing. To my excitement, the number of students attending doubled from the first session. With a confident facilitator, each class encourages youth to share feelings and thoughts and interact with one another.

This week the course focused on defining the words life and skills. Sam asked each student to contribute his/her thoughts. Hearing their answers inspired me. Honesty, understanding right from wrong, and knowing what and who you are were some ideas presented. While many youth taking this course are using drugs and some are involved in local gangs, their ability to acknowledge and formulate their own opinion on what “life” means to them, is central to making real change.

Sam defined skills as, having a mode of self-expression. For youth dedicated to learning an instrument their discipline and focus at the school is central to their life success! With a skill, youth are on the path towards self-agency.

Youth seek role models to inspire them. When asked to share my thoughts I reminded each student, that they are ultimately the agents of their own destiny. It is too easy to fall victim to the streets in an environment where opportunity is sorely lacking. I therefore feel tremendously grateful to help facilitate this course. It is a step in the right direction inspiring and empowering youth at the source of the problem.

Stay tuned, Ntonga.

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

Life Skills Course-Building a Sustainable Future!

Youth are the foundation of the future. Sadly, in South Africa, education is not a priority leaving thousands of youth feeling hopeless and frustrated. At the Ntonga Music School, Pokie and Sam, two board members, are taking action to empower teenagers.

This past Saturday I participated in the first "Life-Skills Course." Sam the creator and teacher has travelled internationally and feels thankful to have the chance to offer youth of his own country the same skills and knowledge. Being present at the introductory meeting, it was incredibly rewarding to see teenagers from Guguletu interested in this course and committing to making changes in their own life. Living within a post apartheid environment and mindset, youth seeking happiness and belonging join gangs and use drugs. Sam used the introduction time to remind youth, that these external stimuli bring BRIEF pleasure with negative consequences. Those present nodded in acknowledgement. Each teenageer was asked to make a verbal agreement to pursue music as a mode of seeking happiness and working towards a healthy and sustainble future for themselves

Sam asked me to speak briefly after introducing the course himself. This was an incredible opportunity to let these teenagers know that we are all in this together --drugs, gangs and life challenges are not confined to one nation or one skin color!!

I felt my contribution mattered and everyone in the room came closer to understanding themselves, recognizing the vulnerable environment they live in and that they are the agents of their own destiny.

Hope and love from Ntonga, Guguletu!

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

Community Day and More

My journey at Ntonga Music School and in Guguletu has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.

In the past five weeks, I have learned slowly but surely to accept and move with the slow pace of life in Gugs and the environment at the school. During the week, I attend evening art events where I find inspiration in youth performing music and dance. On August 25th Titi, Khosi, and I, attended Artscape in Cape Town. This performance featured youth dance and music ensembles from Cape Town suburbs and townships neighboring Guguletu. This performance inspired me. Seeing talented kids ages 6-18 on stage dancing, singing and playing in ensembles reminded me of the incredible potential and talent that is possible to unleash at Ntonga Music School. While the direction of the school and board members must be shifted to support the progress of students, the excitement found on kids faces who come to learn at Ntonga is a reminder of the power music holds in the lives of youth.

Currently the Ntonga Board and myself, are in the process of assessing CV's with the intention to introduce new teachers and instruments at the school. Getting new teachers involved at Ntonga Music School promises a positive outcome. New teachers will bring fresh energy to the school inspiring and encouraging youth attendance and progress.

On Sunday, August 22nd, the Ntonga Board and myself organized a Community Day. The purpose of the event was to increase student numbers. While the weather was foreboding, several ensembles from Ntonga performed and a dance group from a neighboring township played marimbas, sang and danced.

As an outsider, I have recently faced roadblocks where my goals and Pokie’s goals, the founder and visionary of the school, do not align. This is frustrating. Yet I believe the vision of the Playing for Change Foundation, to connect youth through music, has the love and positive energy to overcome the obstacles at the school. With support from the Playing for Change Foundation, progress and potential is vast.

With the word spreading about the school, and classes I see much potential in student numbers increasing. With school teachers on strike possibly through the month of September this is a perfect time to target youth and increase numbers at the school. Thus, I remain excited and hopeful as I continue connecting with local artists and musicians interested in studying at the school and spreading the word. There is so much love, hope, and opportunity at Ntonga.

Stay tuned. Guguletu, South Africa.

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