Music for Life
Pilot music programme for Fields of Life schools in Uganda
(From the October - December 2021 issue of VOX)
Award-winning Irish singer and songwriter Victoria Johnston is partnering with Irish charity, Fields of Life to raise funds for the roll out of a pilot programme called ‘Music for Life’. VOX magazine asked Victoria about the project.
What inspired you to support Fields of Life in this way?
Over Christmas, I read Trevor Stephenson’s book ‘From Killing Fields to Fields of Life’ where he shared his journey. It was hugely inspiring to learn more about how one person with one idea can transform so many lives. I’ve followed the education work of Fields of Life for some time and, along with my family, I have been a supporter of their education child sponsorship programme for many years.
During the pandemic lockdowns, I valued my own music skills, being able to spend time writing and composing. I tried to imagine what my life would have turned out like if I hadn’t had the chance to learn instruments and music theory growing up and at school. That’s how the idea for Music for Life came about. To give students the gift of music, where otherwise they wouldn’t have access to instruments or a music education.
Why music education?
As a music educator here in Ireland, I’ve seen the many positive impacts that music education and learning instruments provide both for adults and young people. The benefits of Music Education are vastly recognised and proven to enhance intellectual development, creativity, and personal and social development. Key positive factors in musical training relay a sense of achievement, self-discipline, increased self-esteem, self-expression and self-confidence and reducing stress levels. I contacted Fields of Life suggesting that a music programme could bring to a positive contribution to their schools.
Tell us more about the schools in Uganda and how this programme will run.
At the moment schools in Uganda are still closed due to the pandemic. I’ve been informed through the Fields of Life team that many students and teachers in these schools have already lost family members due to the virus.
Children in Uganda usually spend 75% of their time studying academically at school. It is hoped Music for Life will provide a creative education outlet for the children.
What a gift it will be for the children arriving back to school in 2022 following the pandemic to a wide array of music instruments for them to learn, and a music programme.
How has your faith influenced the programme development and what will your role be?
This was a very important aspect for me in devising Music for Life. [I wanted] Christian music to be at the heart of it but also local Ugandan music and the inclusion of local Ugandan instruments.
The Music for Life pilot programme will look to promote the joy of music, friendship, a sense of belonging, teamwork, commitment, responsibility and mutual respect between all students.
I also feel it’s most important that the local teachers lead this programme, and I am just taking the volunteer position here in Ireland of fundraising to try and make this pilot programme happen for these two Fields of Life schools in Uganda.
Local specialised music teacher Joseph Kakungulu will help Margaret Nakiberu (Head Teacher) to run this programme for students to learn to play music instruments, learn music theory and composition, in addition to arranging opportunities for local community music. The music taught will be traditional Ugandan music and Christian music.
How much are you hoping to raise and what will that buy?
The goal is to raise €11,000 this will be divided as €5,500 per school. This will enable the purchasing of instruments in Uganda to support the local economy. 100% of funds raised will enable learning and playing of instruments, learning and performing traditional and Christian music in an orchestral group setting in the two primary schools, and paying the local music specialists to train the students and teachers.
Instruments for each school will include: drums, xylophones, Ugandan tube fiddles, shakers, flutes, guitars, bangles, rattles, Ugandan trumpets, bells and one piano per school.
How can individuals / churches get involved in the project?
If a church or individual would like to donate or raise funds towards this, the way to directly donate to this initiative is www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fieldsoflifemusicforlife.
Your donation will directly impact 300 boys and 380 girls at Good Shepherd and Nakapinyi Primary School in Central Uganda. It will also help 18 local teachers at the schools.
About Fields of Life
Fields of Life has more than 25 years of development experience working in Uganda through their 120 supported school, impacting over 50,000 children. Find out more at www.fieldsoflife.org.
