Sounds of Hope for the Soul

Sounds of Hope for the Soul gives 50 children in eastern Congo access to music, dance and singing. In weekly rehearsals and workshops, the children discover their talents, gain self-confidence and experience a sense of community that gives them hope and resilience in an environment marked by poverty and conflict.

Children and young people in eastern Congo grow up in an environment marked by poverty, instability and insecurity. Many have experienced war, hunger and violence and carry traumatic experiences with them. Educational opportunities are limited and access to creative forms of expression is virtually non-existent. Against this backdrop, the project Sounds of Hope for the Soul, made possible by the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation, aims to use music to open up new ways of strengthening children and young people in their development, promoting community and inspiring hope.

Over a period of six months, children aged 6 to 14 meet weekly to learn about music in a variety of ways: through singing together, choir rehearsals with simple choreography, rhythm games, instrumental lessons on guitar, drums, percussion, trumpet and piano, as well as creative phases in which they compose their own songs and lyrics.

In addition, workshops are offered every four weeks. In small groups of ten children, the participants delve deeper into various topics such as the sounds of nature, dance and movement, guitar and piano, and wind instruments. These more intensive sessions allow for more personalised support, encourage creativity, and open up spaces where children can try things out and discover their talents.

A special part of the project is public performances. Every eight weeks, the children present their progress in small concerts to which parents, neighbours and the local press are invited. These concerts help the children to experience recognition, strengthen their self-esteem and make the village community aware of their achievements.

The project is supported by a team consisting of a choir director, two music teachers, a social worker and the project manager. While the musicians are responsible for the artistic and educational implementation, the social worker assists children with special needs and offers opportunities for further support.

After an introductory phase in the first month, which focuses on getting to know each other, rhythm games and initial experiences with instruments, more advanced learning areas such as choral singing, choreography, songwriting and modern song arrangement are gradually introduced. In the last month, the focus is on bringing together all the elements learned: choral songs, instrumental playing and choreography. The highlight is the grand final concert with local musicians and choirs.

Further information:
art-for-future.net

Dates

February 27, 2026
April 24, 2026
June 26, 2026
JengaTumaini, Kashusha, Democratic Republic of Congo