New Tanzanian festival to raise funds for kids with cancer

The inaugural event took place on Saturday with performances from Barnaba Classic, Frankie Maston, Abeneko, Leo Mkanyia, DJ Boniluv and Bar-es-Salaam.

Other activities on the day included a children’s art workshop and the Chap Chap art and photography exhibition, which was facilitated by Nafasi Art Space.

Speaking to Music In Africa, Nafasi Art Space director Rebecca Corey said the festival would be held annually and aim to raise funds for cancer-stricken children.

“TLM approached us about a potential partnership with Nafasi in March,” she said. “The idea was that we provide them with the workshops, materials and venue. They wanted the affected children to get out of their normal hospital environment to play and do art. Nafasi’s plan is to continue to support this programme for as long as possible.” 

For the past seven years, TLM, in partnership with the Tanzanian government, has taken an assertive approach to the treatment of cancer in children by providing them with free nutrition, housing options, schooling and play therapy.

TLM volunteer Meadhbh O'Rourke says children who engage in therapeutic play, particularly music and art therapy, generally exhibit less emotional distress and fewer negative physiological responses. 

"Music and art therapy offers escapism and improves respiration and stress," she said. "It reduces anxiety, and even reduces pain."

O'Rourke hopes the festival will have a positive impact on the local community.

“The festival aims at increasing awareness of childhood cancers and the work of TLM by bringing together the community in celebration of life, joy and togetherness.

"We hope to get closer to our goal of reaching every child in Tanzania suffering from cancer and maybe even gather a few more much-needed volunteers as we go,” O'Rourke said.