What music means to these students...

My time here in Meru is quickly coming to an end and for the past two weeks, my teaching team and I have increased our instruction time to take advantage of the month that our students have free from school. Two weeks ago, we invited students from the Bishop Lawi Imathiu Secondary School (BLISS) to come to the Thiiri Cultural Center for our informational meeting. Approximately 70 students attended and we began the meeting with a viewing of the major motion picture, Drumline. The students thought the movie dance routines and music were computer generated, and you should have seen the looks on their face when I explained that everything they saw on the screen is what they actually do. I was able to testify because I spent many hours contributing to that film. The movie was based around my high school marching band program that highlights the marching band styles in the southern United States. My high school band directors wrote the music for the movie and my high school colleagues starred in several of the roles. The highlight of this experience was explaining that the head band director at my high school is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, Mr. James Seda. Now these students claim James Seda and Barack Obama.

After viewing the movie, I posted the month’s schedule and began teaching music. Each day we had a different group of thirty students come for group lessons and taught twelve 30-minute lessons. Many students come each day for private lessons and three times a week for group lessons. During the past two weeks, most of the students have accomplished what it takes my students in America to accomplish in six months. However, these students do not have the distractions that I had when I grew up. During the holiday months, these families do not take vacations, most of the students do not have electricity and many would rather be anywhere else than sitting idle in their homes. One student came to me and told me about a horrible situation he faces daily at home. He continued to explain that participating in this music program has allowed him to handle his stress and express what he is unable to show with his family. I am aware of the power of music, however hearing personal testimonies of the power of music from young musicians always touches my heart. The moment I shared with that young student will stand to be the most profound experience I have had in Kenya.

I am humbled to be part of this exciting project and help bring experiences that no amount of money can buy.