“We are One”
“We are One”: new theme song of the music therapy students was spontaneously composed in less than an hour after the visit to the first orphanage, Nyumbani. A group effort with beautiful lyrics that embraced community, hope and resilency will be sung wherever we go.
Today, it was debuted and within 15 minutes, approximately 60 new voices of the children and staff at Shangilia joined the choir in beautiful harmonies, rejoicing in new found friends. This was music therapy at its best – tapping into the music that lives within us all, no matter what our abilities or disabilities, our disease or state of health. Already, these children are our teachers and we also got to share some clinical techniques with the children and staff.
We broke into four different groups – dancers, vocalists, percussionists and I found myself leading a brass band – some trumpets and trombones were just donated to the orphanage and there were approximately 8 children who were assigned to form a band – they didn’t read music but it didn’t matter – they were fast learners – ‘twinkle, twinkle little star” is universal and within no time, the squeaks and honks began to sound recognizable. But what impressed me the most was how focused and serious they were. this is just the beginning…
Each day is so full of new experiences. It is an amazing time.
beyond our dreams
We have only been here one day really and it already has been so full of music, new sights, beautiful, kind people who are here to both give and receive. Samite joined us and brought us into this magical mystery tour – “we are prepared to be unprepared” for everything – open and working together for the same purpose of sharing our music for healing and learning from all around us. We are open, and singing our way into the next adventure. This is already beyond anything expected.
Karen
