Image via Complex Original
Music is a powerful and important tool—aiding in everything from developing language skills to increasing your IQ—and these 10 organizations are helping to bring it to individuals across the world.
These non-profits operate in war-torn locations, hospitals, schools, rural communities, and areas marred by violence and social unrest. Their work leads to positive changes in the lives of people in need and offers an alternative form of expression, communication, and an outlet for those who are often marginalized.
Students receive an education and hope for the future, and they become part of a community where they can share what they’ve learned and discovered.
Through the efforts of the following organizations, individuals who otherwise wouldn't have access to music education are learning, sharing, and teaching others about the power of music to heal and inspire.
World Children’s Choir
Heading into its 25th year, the World Children’s Choir exists to give children a voice that celebrates cultural diversity and positive international relations. It brings people together through the goal of creating a healthy and peaceful world for children. The proceeds that are raised are funneled back into support networks for kids.
The performances and benefit concerts of the World Children’s Choir have been captured on national and international broadcasts, and their audiences have included U.S. Presidents Bush and Clinton, Queen Noor of Jordan, Queen Sofia of Spain, as well as the United States Supreme Court, to name a few.
Art Creation Foundation for Children
Serving more than 60 children in Jacmel, Haiti, the Art Creation Foundation for Children is a grassroots organization operating on the belief that developing art skills can lead to a brighter future. The children in the program, ranging in age from 6 to 11, have previously never attended school and don’t have regular access to food.
The organization hopes to provide a positive alternative through education and personal growth. The students learn about self-sufficiency, social responsibility, and connectedness—a sense of community that fosters further positive development.
The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation has sprouted in several different positive directions, with initiatives supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, as well as public service programs like the Support Music Coalition, which provides tools and resources for music education in communities.
The Museum of Making Music is another division of the NAMM Foundation, which preserves the accomplishments of music through special exhibitions, concerts, and educational programs. Their proceeds help fund grants, scholarships, and music education research. They are also affiliated with other arts and education initiatives, including Americans for the Arts, Music for All, and Drum Corps International.
War Child
Founded in 1993, War Child has been operating in conflict and post-conflict zones for more than 20 years, offering humanitarian efforts and long-term rehabilitative support. War Child’s educational programming also focuses on music and its power to heal and nurture. Their benefit concerts raise funds for education initiatives and programming that is critical for all families. In war-torn areas, where schools have often been destroyed and education resources are lacking, War Child offers support and instruction, and prevents children’s education from ending abruptly.
War Child is defending every child’s right to learn in areas such as Afghanistan, Burundi, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and occupied Palestinian territory, by pioneering new delivery methods, adapting curriculums, and training new educators.
Agape
Agape’s Ghanaian music programming is based in the Western region of the country and delivered through a free music school in Aboadze. The school provides holistic music education for students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access any form of schooling.
The program efforts are brought to eager students, who are led by volunteer instructors. Students of all abilities are welcome, and they are tied together by a shared enthusiasm—where music is seen as hope for the future.
Playing for Change
The mission of Playing for Change seems simple: to create positive social change through music. But the nuance and complexity of that task override its surface simplicity, and the results of the program have been impressive. There are nine music schools in operation, with programs in South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda, Nepal, and Thailand. More than 600 kids attend free classes in dance, instruments, languages, and musical theory—all taught by qualified local teachers.
Beyond music education, the project also fulfills primary education, literacy, and the provision of humanitarian aid such as food, medicine, clothes, books, and school supplies for those living in poverty. The schools also take a sustainable approach, utilizing solar lighting and energy, as well as introducing technology like laptop computers into areas where they were previously unavailable.
Healing Using Music
The focus of HUM (Healing Using Music) is to explore the connection between happiness and music, and to bring that positivity into the world. HUM provides free music programming to schools and care facilities, where the message of happiness and healing is spread through performance and education. Since 2013, HUM has expanded into six chapters, including international programs in Australia and Asia.
Music Seeds International
Music Seeds International uses music as a tool to educate and empower. Through songwriting programs, students learn language skills, self-expression, and develop a skill set and an outlet to address social issues.
In April 2014, the program traveled to East Bali, Indonesia, and students from rural areas were transported to lessons each day. The students chose their own topic, wrote their own lyrics, and sang and recorded their own song called “Sekolahku Harapanku (School Is My Hope).” The program uses “songlish,” where pronunciation, grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary are reinforced through games, exercises, videos, lyric writing, song production, singing, recording, and making music videos. Education is transformed into song, and the interactive delivery results in a more inclusive, efficient form of learning—one that can be more easily retained.
Musicians Without Borders
Musicians Without Borders is a global network operating in areas disrupted by war and conflict. The program works with local musicians and civil society organizations to develop projects that can be used in multiple regions and focus on the healing power of music, reconciliation, and building tolerance.
Music is used as a tool to engage and mobilize communities where all genres and skill levels are embraced. Trained professionals and music educators who specialize in running community music-making projects work together in areas that, as a result of conflict, are struggling to deal with trauma, fear, and segregation.
Music Fund
Operating in the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe, Music Fund works in partnership with music schools in developing countries and conflict areas. The program collects musical instruments and restores them before distributing them through its network. Students are then given the opportunity to develop musical skills.
The organization includes high-quality workshops, internships, and training programs that teach how to do things like tune, repair, and maintain music instruments. In 2010, Music Fund was recognized by the European Commission and was given the award for Best Practices in Culture and Development.