Hearing, Believing, Music!
the problem:
Mekele School for the Blind in Ethiopia is a school that really needs help. The children that go to Mekele are in dire need for a better environment. The school itself is not in the best condition, and barely has enough money to support it's food and basic necessities. Over the past summer, a security wall was built to keep away sexual predators from entering the school. I really want to help this school and its children by giving them a chance, an opportunity for them to have a better and brighter future. It is hard enough to be blind, but living in a poor community too, sometimes, that is really hard to deal with. I know I have been given many great opportunities in my life, so I think it is time to give others what I am proud of. My passion has always been music. I love the simplicity of just listening to it, but also performing as well. Music in Mekele is very strong regardless of them having instruments or not. They would easily dance, and make drums, sing with grass, play ocarinas, or pat on the ground for an good beat. I see music as their way of dealing with their hardships and making their lives easier. Music gave me happiness, however, I believe it is more powerful than that. Some might not be able to see, but all of us hear and listen to the great art of music!
vital stats:
people impacted:
600people involved:
34why it's important:
This year, I have formed a community service club in my school, "Kent School". My club is called "Melody 4 Community", and it is a community service club in which we organize benefit concerts, karaoke nights, and other musical charities to send over to orphanages with poor budgets and retirement homes. In addition, we also send our charities to other places of need as well. "Melody 4 Community" is made up of more than 30 members and is growing every month. This club has been a great success being the fact that we are a new club which was just formed this year. In addition, I have gotten almost the whole school involved to help me and "Melody 4 Community" to help out Mekele School for the Blind. We are hosting our own "Faculty Karaoke", "Blues for You Concert", and our very own competitive "Battle of the Bands" all to raise money for Mekele School for the Blind.
the plan of action:
It is true, this is a project idea, however, I along with many supporters from school and outside of school, have made many strides in order to keep this idea from becoming into an actual project. For this project, I was planning on sending down some used instruments down to Mekele and bring down some keyboards which they want so much. Music has always kept me happy, and I want give them some kind of music education and their own musical instruments. Even though they are blind, learning and respecting music can be done by anybody. In fact, even Stevie Wonder, one of the greatest musicians is blind. I would like for this project to be an ongoing project for the years to come, by facilitating the music department in Mekele and making it better. Children with blindness mostly have enhanced senses, and one of them including hearing. Along with building a music department, I want to send down some used instruments, and any other instruments we could afford to bring down to the school, give them some recitals, and give them some private lessons as well. In addition, most schools do not have music theory classes or music appreciation, so I also want us to include this as well. I have seen it, and believe it, and now, we WILL build it!
how you can get involved:
Others can help by giving charities to Mekele. The link to Mekele School for the Blind is
http://www.mekeleblindschool.org/index.html
And please, we could use the most help we can get. This is a big project for us, and we really want this to happen. To help further, come to our school and check out our benefit concerts and charities. We are located in Kent, CT, and we are from "Kent School". I will be making comments on future concerts. In addition, do not be afraid to start your own project in your area. If you are interested in helping out "Mekele School for the Blind", make a comment below, and best wishes to all!
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Comments
Great pictures!
I like this project a lot.
Help and comment us if you can!
Dude this is a great project that i think can really make a difference and improve the lives of people that really need it. This was really an awesome idea and im definitely for donating or helping out
Do you guys in the club actually go to Ethipoia and help directly or is it more like a donation-type org. tht sends them the money..?