Drumability is a community inspired initiative focused on empowering youngsters by granting them the opportunity to express / explore and identify their own musical talent by means of playing African drums and percussion instruments.
What skills and resources were you able to draw from the community for this project?
Support Facilitators (Drummers with skill); Infra-structure (Public Town Halls); Marketing and support by Community Leaders.
The challenges
Opportunities for musical workshops lack in the community due to funds / infrastructure etc. and Drumability aims to address the challenge of not having resources in the community for children to partake in group musical activities, and thus possibly through the cracks of a social discourse.
Addressing the challenges
Drumability arranges community outreaches where drumming sessions / musical workshops are facilitated in rural areas. Fifty Djembe drums and a facilitator is made available to facilitate a high-energy drumming session that incorporates singing and dance
The achievements
We have reached in excess of 2000 children the past 3 years. We have inspired at least 40 children to pursue formal musical education, of which 16 are trained by Drumability on a weekly basis in Trompsburg and Bloemfontein. Drumability has a strong footprint in the Special Needs Services Framework and has established a lasting cooperative with institutions in support of People With Special Needs, e.g. Beudene Daycare, Mental Health Free State, Angel Hearts Workshop for People with Special Needs, Easter Seals Services (United States of America) and Rainbow Kids Special Needs School (BFN).