Making music, instruments and new friends
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The mothers stitch on messages on the friendship tree
Over the past six years, the Music Project has worked to uplift the lives of children from the north and the south through the power of music. Inspired by El Sistema of Venezuela the children go from learning to play instruments like the recorder to the violin, cello, flute, trumpet, guitar and percussion through bi-weekly classes.
Last month, the children of the Music Project from Mullaitivu and Kurunegala met at the Royal Primary School Polonnaruwa for the UNITE programme which unfolded over four fun-filled days where they played, made friends and performed, their parents too supporting them by coming along and helping the organisers with the logistics of the programme.
One activity saw the kids making musical instruments by recycling objects and even performing with ttheir new bottle shakers, rain sticks and snare drums.
International guests joined the UNITE programme along with Shalini Wickramasuriya, founder of the Music Project. Sarah, a viola specialist from the UK, Nesma from Egypt, Ali Altiok who was there to document the programme, also Fabio Shimizu and Beatriz Alves from Brazil.
Engrossed in making instruments with recycled objects
An activity based workshop conducted by Kimaya De Silva that focused on breaking down barriers and engaging children who don’t speak a shared language, saw the children interact with each other through mime, drama and team work.
JICA volunteers Megumi Sato, Katsuhiro Sato, Yumie Ohara, Chikako Ito, Aya Miyasaka, Yuho Tonobe, Mai Shimizu, Kiyomi Kamiya, Kaede Funamizu taught the children how to make origami stars. The symbolism of the star stood for the UNITE programme’s aims; working together in unity and harmony.
Day 3 was concert day and the children started off writing a message for the “Friendship Tree” – the structure drawn by teacher Nishantha with the children’s messages written on a leaf shaped piece of fabric which were sewn on to the tree by the mothers from Mullaitivu and Kurunegala. The friendship tree will be displayed in each of the children’s schools over the next few weeks and will travel to Belfast as the Music Project’s Programme Director travels to meet their partners Beyond Skin.
The last day was spent sightseeing in Polonnaruwa – wrapping up a memorable time for children from the north and south finding common bonds at many levels.
A mini orchestra of recorders: Children from the north and south