Music for Education in Nepali villages. The Playing for Change Foundation in Tintale

Music is used to create awareness about this critical issue

 They explain that child trafficking is a serious issue and educates them to not simply marry off their children to just anyone who appears and offers marrying their child. 

The story begins with a stranger appearing in the village – and the rest – see for yourself in the video below. It is very beautiful! 

Devi Karki directs the group that has created these stirring performances. She has travelled 450 kilometers for sharing their story with the film crew. She feels overwhelmed to be able to share the message of her work with people all over the world.  

Their story is best shown in this excellent 7 minute video.

Enjoy. Share. And if you can – empower PFCF to promote their work more widely.  

This vital information will prevent a child from being stolen in the first place.  

You’ll make a difference to Human Lives.  

 90 more seconds about PFC and Tintale.  

In the summer of 2007 William Aura traveled to the remote village of Tintale in Nepal’s eastern valley. He was the first western man to see how the villagers there lived from day-to-day. At that time the place had no electricity, no telephones, and no modern sanitation. The people of Tintale had lived and worked in almost complete isolation from the outside world for centuries.  

We decided to make a contribution to the community, and initiated a music program in this remote world. Our efforts have provided brand-new music instruments for the students and first-time salaries for the music teachers as well as humanitarian aid in the village including medicine, school supplies, and gifts for the children. Ishor Bajracharya and Shyam Basnet administer this vital music program. Classes are taught by flute and drum teacher Jeevan Magar and harmonium teacher Dhruba Kumar Ghimire. Local farmer Jeevan resides and teaches in the village. Dhruba treks two hours each way from Katari to teach harmonium and general music skills to the children of the village.  

And it is super well received!

Their story is best shown in this excellent 7 minute video.

“The desire displayed to learn music is frankly unmatched by anything I have ever seen. I’m uncertain who benefits more from our developing relationship – them or us. We are blessed by such a connection.”   

Sarangi performer and music teacher Kiran Nepali arrives to teach and classes immediately break out in five different rooms. Dozens of beautiful children rush forward screeching with joy. The mob offers a warm embrace, pat my head for good luck and pull on my beard just for the fun of it. There is love in the air and one could not be more fortunate. I gratefully receive all this as a representative for the foundation. These thanksgiving hugs are also for Whitney, Mark, Thea, Shauna and all who are giving so much for this foundation to make a difference. Before long a cacophony of sound swirls around the orphanage bringing everything to a state of nirvana.  

Joining hands with the community

After class we meet with Nanda and her fine staff.  It becomes my pleasure to announce they have been approved for funding for the upcoming year. That means salaries for five teachers and instruments for the children are all forthcoming. You know, sometimes it feels like Santa Claus bringing gifts. Mindfully gazing around the room I observe a sea of beaming faces filled with excitement and gratefulness. There is an essence at work here – a healing spirit. One that is making a difference not only in teaching music, but also developing tolerance and respect for humanity. Peace through music. For every contributor reading these words, this love wave of deep and profound appreciation extends to you.“  

An interview with the teachers about the value of teaching music to the children of Tintale.  

Take this as a lesson to your schools.  

“What we have learned: Any teacher should not show an angry face to the student. He ought to be happy. When the teacher is angry, the students are not happy with teachers. What they have learned there, there always forget. The teacher always be smily, so the students can smile, and in this time, he instills more and more knowledge.“  

We see the changes outside. The kids used to run around the place. Now, they focus playing on their instruments. We see positive changes happening all around us, instantly.  

Here’s where things get interesting. My trusted laptop, hard drive and loud speakers are fired up. A number of PFCF produced videos are presented to a jaw dropping staff. Particularly the video message from PFCF Project manager Seydou, produced by super talent François, is watched in utter amazement. These heartfelt messages from the children in Africa to our Nepali kids are indeed a game changer. Now things are different. There is a paradigm shift in how all of this is perceived. A newfound awareness boosts enthusiasm as the music students begin to feel like they belong to a growing family. Thank you Seydou and François for making this marvelous connection with our precious children. Before we leave the group, plans are made to rent a projector so we can present these videos for the all the kids to see in an upcoming program.  

In order to take the program beyond music teaching, but supporting the village’s efforts in protecting the region’s children from child trafficking, PFCF is very proud to announce our affiliation with the Tintale Village Women’s Alliance.  

Players for Change Foundation works with the community

 These “Players For Change” are a group of powerful women led by Devi Karki, who use drama, music and movement to teach young girls about the perils they face from dark hearted traffickers. Traveling to neighboring villages in an effort to educate the innocent, Devi discovers too many villagers are surprisingly unaware of this tragedy in their midst. Through creative story telling and mesmerizing song and dance, the locals become familiar with the trafficker’s techniques enabling them to recognize the potential threat when introduced to their village. “There is no question this basic education saves lives,” Devi states firmly.  

Sources of texts, images and videos: The Playing for Change Foundation.  

http://playingforchange.org/programs/detail/tintale_village_teaching_center  

Leave a Reply