Knowledge is Power

Last Saturday members of the Ntonga Music School Committee shared what they considered to be necessary life skills. It was invaluable to hear the perspectives of a different generation of black men and women.

Derrick, an Ntonga Music School Committee member, emphasized the importance of role-models. He spoke about how the township lacks role models. The current generation of youth are sorely frustrated. Lacking reliable teachers and supportive parents and guardians, youth turn to gangs for acceptance and drugs to heal inner pain and frustration. While the situation is much more complex, the fundamental problem is youth dont take initiative and older generations remain in an apartheid mindset, disillusioned and hopeless.

The life skills course encourages youth to become agents of their own destiny through self reflection. Through awareness youth are invited to recognize they themselves are the change they have been waiting for.

David, another committee member, spoke about the issue of abuse and what it means to "cross the line." The life skills course is designed to raise awareness about the concept of abuse. As facilitators we do not seek to tell youth what to do. Rather, we aim to equip youth with the necessary knowledge to make educated choices.


Today, I was asked to facilitate the life-skills course in Sam's absence. The topic of the day, was the "Pursuit of Happiness." After spending considerable time gathering a group of fifteen, I encouraged the youth to define what happiness meant to them and share their methods of cultivating happiness in their own lives. I opened the session by asking, "who seeks happiness." Most hands quickly shot up. I then asked, "what do you do to attain happiness?" I was grateful to find several students name playing an instrument as one means to attain happiness. While the younger students remained quiet throughout the class, a few teenagers shared personal information opening to their peers about their weaknesses, life struggles and how they are dealing with these issues. One student admitted to seeing a counselor and being unsure of the means to maintain happiness. Another student expressed feelings of uncertainty in dealing with feelings that are too difficult to confide in a friend. This openness created a dialogue of understanding and greater trust. It is good to see students receptive to, and participating in, this course.

A guest speaker is scheduled for next Saturday, so stay tuned.
Ntonga Music School, Guguletu!

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www.playingforchange.org

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

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