Change Through the Arts

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– Jan 27, 2012

As the Capacity Building Officer for War Child in Sierra Leone, I support an organization called Artists United for Children and Youth Development (AUCAYD) with the growth of their programs. Before working for War Child, I worked at St. Alban’s Boys and Girls Club in Toronto for many years where I supervised arts programming, including several video and music recording studio projects. My previous expertise had allowed me to connect young people in Sierra Leone with youth in Toronto. Torontonians have sent music programs and instruments to young people in Sierra Leone, allowing them to make a positive contribution to peers on the other side of the world. They have also benefitted from being influenced by the styles of music in Sierra Leone, and from gaining inspiration from learning about the huge obstacles they have overcome.

I am lucky to have chosen a career that allows me to spend time with youth making music. I love how it brings young people with different talents together, whether they are engineers, producers or artists. I love the energy in a recording studio when everything comes together and you feel the excitement of creating incredible music. Through my work with youth in Toronto, I have met some of Canada’s top producers and engineers – that is the beauty of the creative process. We are fortunate to have several professional engineers in Toronto who have seen the talent of the youth at AUCAYD and have in turn have mentored them to develop their studio and their music.

Creating music at AUCAYD gives young people a great sense of community, which is helpful as many are not receiving monetary and familial support at home. Many young people and their parents were victims of violent atrocities during the civil war. Music gives them a sense of escape from their bleak reality. Presently the youth of Sierra Leone have very little hope to due to a lack of education, and a lack of job opportunities. It is clear they are frustrated by rampant corruption, and are at a high risk contracting illness due to poor sanitation.

The majority of the music created by AUCAYD is designed to educate and uplift their peers and the next generation about important and relevant topics such as safe sex, human rights and gender equality. AUCAYD is determined to spread positive messages through their music, and in doing so they are able to give hope to countless young people, and inspire them to work towards a better future.  The more AUCAYD can connect with others around the world and in countries like Canada, the more they can share their wisdom and creativity. They also benefit greatly from the technology and expertise provided by mentors and peers in other countries. These relationships are what keep them strong, inspired and able to bring change through the arts. 
 

Categories: From The Field, Education,
Tags: aucayd, connections, hivaids, human rights, music, poverty, sierra leone, toronto,

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