Save the Children assists Burundi refugees through music

One such organisation, Save the Children, is using music to empower children refugees at the Mahama Camp in Burundi. Save the Children believes that music opens up a child’s eyes, ears, heart and soul, giving them the ability to step into a life of prosperity.

The organisation has enrolled more than 100 children between five and 18 years old for music, dance and drama activities. The refugee children, some of whom were infected with HIV at birth, come from separated homes or are orphaned. They are taught to play traditional drums and other musical instruments like the inanga, a traditional oval shaped harp made of wood with strings tied at the edges, and the umuduli, a single-stringed traditional bow-like instrument. Other instruments taught by Save the Children include the iningiri, which is similar to the violin, and the ikondera, a Rwandese instrument made from horns or bamboo sticks.

“I always dreamt of teaching and playing musical instruments to children but I never thought it would be of importance in situations like this," said Desire Ngarukiyintwari, one of the beneficiaries of the programme. “I hope to transfer it to other children at this camp as the beauty of making music, dance and drama is always making peace. When you dance or sing beautiful lyrics, you find coexistence; it breaks walls of despair down.”

Apart from the music lessons, the organisation also organises musical events and activities, with all proceeds going to the support of Save the Children.

In 2012, Save the Children, which was founded by 18-year-old American playwright Noah Altshuler, initiated the Youth Music Ambassadors Project (YMAP) which uses music to create awareness for Save the Children’s humanitarian work. YMAP deploys young musicians and musical instruments to stage performances at schools, colleges and other events. So far the project has raised funds for schools in Guatemala, Kenya and Ecuador, promoting cultural exchange through shared musical experiences.

In 2015, Save the Children launched Action on Violence Against Children (AVAC), a campaign against child abuse. The campaign was supported by Kenyan musical band Sauti Sol and South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.