A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH A VERY INSPIRING BRASS FOR AFRICA PARTICIPANT.
“THOUGH I LOST MY FATHER, I STILL HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE”
| Shakira is a beneficiary from Muwala Asobola Community Initiative, or as we best know it, MACI – a locally run organisation based in Kampala and was founded with the objective of promoting Gender Equality and addressing Gender-Based Violence. She plays the trumpet.
Shakira lost her father when she was young and from that moment, she started living with her mother. She describes how after losing her father, her life became difficult, her mother was not working and so she could not afford to pay for her school fees. This being her reality, Shakira stopped studying. In Shakira’s words, “After seeing myself being idle, I asked my mother to take me to my grandmother”It was when she was taken to her grandmother’s that she was introduced to Muwala Asobola Community Center. “She told me about a place called Muwala Asobola and then she told me that they play brass music, so I requested to join.” |
She added that it was upon joining Muwala Asobola, that her “life changed”. Shakira said that before joining the Music and Life Skills classes, she lacked “self-confidence” and “communication skills”. She was unable to communicate with anyone, and in fact admitted only thinking about herself.But when she joined the Band, she started caring about others both in the community and at the Centre, and then helping, and counselling her fellow girls. “Through this band, I have gained so many friends, leant how to communicate with others and gained self-confidence,” |
She added:
“I am so happy that even though I was not able to continue with my studies, I am adding something in my community. And as a girl, the skills I am gaining through this band will help me so much in the future. I am so thankful to Brass for Africa in partnership with Muwala Asobola Community Initiative for giving me the chance of playing music and learning how to play my trumpet.”
Shakira is just one example of the direct impact that the Brass for Africa music and life-skills lessons has on young individuals.
It was such a privilege to speak to her and to hear her inspiring story. She is an ever-improving musician, role model to other young men and women and an example of just how true the quote on the wall behind her really is.
FROM 1ST-31ST MARCH 2021, WE’RE PUTTING OUR HANDS UP HIGH TO RECOGNISE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH. GET INVOLVED AND HELP FUND AN ENTIRE YEAR OF MUSIC & LIFE-SKILLS FOR 150 GIRLS ACROSS SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.
Ready to get started? Learn more about our #EmbraceEquity campaign, set-up your fundraising page or make a donation today.
