Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band Vol. 6
September 2, 2018
PEARL OF AFRICA YOUTH BRASS BAND
Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band, Uganda
A new name for the youth brass band
Edrine Wasswa, project director
History of The Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band (1998 to 2018) by EDRINE WASSWA
I started school in the late 1990s at Outspring Primary School in Uganda. At that time my parents took care the family. I lost my
Bwaise, Kampala, Uganda
For centuries, European explorers who visited Uganda were astonished by the natural beauty. They called it “the pearl of Africa’s crown”. Nothing is more beautiful in Uganda than the youth. We are now the Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band 1
Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band Vol. 6
September 2, 2018
twin brother during a civil conflict in the early 1990s. I learned to play my first musical instrument at Outspan Primary School. Being a school sponsored by some donors from the UK, it was much easier for the school to get and maintain the instruments they had. Because of dedication and commitment to learning music, I was soon appointed the assistant trainer of the music group. After primary school I started secondary school, but because of the love of music and the love I had for those that I had helped learn to play musical instruments, I continued training my colleagues at Outspan Primary School even when I was no longer a student there. Some of the people I trained have since joined the Police Band or the Uganda Army Band; some are in small bands like Superstar Brass Band, or Kiryoka Brass Band, and more. The idea of “Happy Angels Youth Brass Band” began with a band of 12 musicians to help the local community, especially the youth, to get away from vices like drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, crime; and also to create a purpose for street kids who did not have a place they call home. We started with only two drums, but as time went by, thanks to contacts from the Outspan Primary School, we had people start to donate different kinds of instruments, and soon the number of people who were interested grew. By this time we realized that we could not offer only music to these kids, they needed a place to live, a place to call home. We rented a two room house for those that had joined the band but did not have any place to sleep at night. We shared meals and whatever money we got from well wishers were able to move to a bigger house with a better space. In the past twenty years the name “Happy Angels” has become so popular with other bands, day care centers, schools, and more, that we decided to upgrade our mission and also The Pearl of Africa create a new name reflective of our national identity: “The Pearl of Youth Brass Band Africa Youth Brass Band”. frees youth from drug Right now the project has expanded. We still don’t have enough staff to take care of the administrative issues. We rely on these children to help one another, and especially those who are older are Bwaise, Kampala, Uganda
and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy and crime. It is purpose. It is home.
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Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band Vol. 6
September 2, 2018
given responsibilities. We are very grateful for our donors, who have been very generous. Because of them we have kept paying rents, buying food for these kids and taking care of their medical needs. The total number of children at The Pearl of Africa Youth Brass Band project is 211. Ages 3 to 12 - boys 17, girls 25 Ages 12 to 18 - boys 63, girls 21 Ages 18 to 22 - boys 27, girls 6 Most come from the streets and others are orphans. Most of the kids who came from the street were interested in the music program that we offer them at our home. We have a total of 130 children who are currently attending school; mostly they are sponsored by the school. They participate in various co-curricular activities like brass band, soccer, volleyball, drama, and dance. Some of the older kids have joined local bands, some participate in local church music so that they can raise some money for their upkeep. Our focus now is to prepare the children for trades and professions so they can be productive citizens and good parents. Thanks to Manuel Martín and our donors in Valencia, Spain, we will soon have one instrument for every two children, and training for the profession of musical instrument repair. Our goals include the purchase of land, and building our own facilities. Let's all join hands to support Happy Angels Youth Brass Band which is taking part to help the children through music through any kind of help and support. Remember any support given to a child will help another 1000 generations to come.
Donate regularly at https:// www.gofundme.com/xyv9w67d Our FaceBook page is now called
Pearl Brass
(Name change September, 2018. Formerly the Happy Angels Youth Brass Band)
Bwaise, Kampala, Uganda
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