"I am proud for how much they have learned. There are no other programs like this in any other schools. It is important for kids to know their culture. In the past 1.5 years I have really seen the following changes in the students: more TOGETHERNESS, the kids are like a COMMUNITY, and their TALENTS and SKILLS have increased. Thank you for supporting this very program, the students need it!”
     -Fredy Nganga, LI Teaching Artist.

“The LEAF International Roots & Shoots Music program has changed the SPIRIT of our ENTIRE school!” 
     -Ilboru Headmaster Jovinus R Mutabuz

The Tanzania project is unique from other LI programs because it partners with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots. Roots & Shoots is an environmental program that is lead by kids to learn and teach others about ways to improve the environment.

Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Programs started in Tanzania in 1991. The Roots & Shoots program is about making positive change happen—for communities, for animals and for the environment. With tens of thousands of young people in almost 100 countries, the Roots & Shoots network connects youth of all ages who share a desire to create a better world. Young people identify problems in their communities and take action through service projects, youth-led campaigns and an interactive website. Roots & Shoots members are making a difference across the globe. The Roots & Shoots network is strong, has stable national and international support, global connections, and global recognition. Currently there are five Roots & Shoots clubs in Arusha, and LI is looking into finding a few more to partner with. For more information visit: http://www.rootsandshoots.org/

The partnership between LEAF and Roots & Shoots has expanded to two schools in Tanzania. These classes teach the kids about environmental issues as well as about their own cultural heritage. They perform traditional songs and dances with messages to inspire others to preserve the environment as well as their local cultural traditions.

Project Arusha

In March 2009, LEAF International began a program at the Ilboru Secondary School in Arusha, Tanzania in partnership with Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots program.

The LI Arusha music program includes 60 teens ages 15-21. The group meets 2-3 times weekly. Together they perform concerts regularly in the Arusha community and at their school. Fredy Ngana, LI Teaching Artist, and Cultural Ambassador to Tanzania, has handcrafted the drums, marimbas, and costumes for the groups performances. The residual effect of this program has been widespread changing the spirit of the entire school and inspiring possible expansion to other schools. This afterschool program is the school’s only music program. They learn songs from different regions and tribes of Tanzania. This afterschool program is the school’s only music program. They learn songs from different regions and tribes of Tanzania.

Through this program students receive:

The Tanzania Project’s goals are to use music as a vehicle for positive change and encouragement for community involvement in youth led environmental initiatives and to give kids confidence and hope for the future!

Background of Program

The LI Arusha program is based at a prestigious school that teaches boys from all over Tanzania. They have to take exams for acceptance into the school. It only costs $60 per year, but often the families cannot afford even this.

The government-funded school of 750 students hosts the only cultural music program in the area that teaches a variety of Cultural Traditional Dance, Songs, and East African Drum Rhythms to the kids. The dances and Roots & Shoots Program songs both highlight the various tribes and cultures in Tanzania, and promote the environmental messages of the Roots & Shoots group.

Arusha is located in north of Tanzania and is a multicultural city inhabited by African, Arabs, Indians, Europeans and Americans with a population of 1,288,088.

Instructor Fredy Nganga is the LI Arusha teaching artist. He is the Cultural Ambassador to Tanzania and he brings fabulous energy to this program. He also makes drums and helps provide the instruments and costumes for the program.

Fredy came to LEAF in Black Mountain, NC in May of 2011:

 “Fredy Nganga is known by most involved with LEAF as the teaching artist from Tanzania involved with LEAF International’s program in Arusha. But for those of us, lucky few, who were allowed the time to become enraptured by Fredy’s bright smile, crafting hands, prodigious talent, prevailing patience, and kind heart, he can be seen as someone much more. Fredy has not only a passion for music, but additionally, a passion for sharing his musical knowledge with any willing learner. This trait is exactly what makes Fredy not only a vital counterpart of LEAF International, but also an individual whose presence is intellectually invigorating.

After a 24 hour plane ride, a two hour car ride, one bike ride, one party, one Mass, two dinners, the construction of one xylophone, and countless jam sessions, Freddy’s LEAF experience had only just begun. Fredy spent the five days after arriving in Black Mountain working with LEAF in Schools and Streets. Every morning from 8:25 to 10:00 Fredy could be found working and drumming with the children of Rugby Middle School. He worked alongside fellow instructor Masankho Banda, teaching the children about the art of drumming. Fredy also taught at Odyssey School with River Guergurian.

The children listened intently to the beautiful rhythms Fredy created with his hands, and then strived to match the sounds with their own. I could see Fredy smile and his positive energy stimulated by the unhindered happiness of a child that correctly pounded on his or her small drum.  These smiles, of children evoked purely by their newfound ability to create music, were truly inspiring.

During the LEAF festival Fredy exhibited true stamina as he danced through five high energy performances, exhibiting his talents for drumming and teaching, over a span of two days. When not on stage, Fredy could be found in the LEAF International tent selling the plethora of crafts that he and his friends had created: batiks, bracelets, and hand made bags.

Fredy Nganga was given the opportunity to travel across the world for the sole reason of inviting others to share his passion.  Yet it was not Fredy, and instead those of us who worked next to him, who were treated with an undeniably gratifying experience. Fredy has an innate drive to help others as well as a joyous presence. He is always appreciative and never pessimistic. His energy is contagious and his passion, admirable. To spend time with him is both rewarding and humbling. We are ever so lucky and thankful to have him on the LEAF International team!” 
     -Juliana Twiggs, LI intern

Quotes

"The partnership between LEAF International and Roots & Shoots at Ilboru Secondary School exemplifies the power of combing the fun of music and dance with environmental and cultural appreciation. We are inspiring a new generation of compassionate and aware change makers of Tanzania."
     -Chase Pickering | Roots & Shoots Board of Directors

“The project has big impact to students and the community as the message is getting through to every one close by the school with very well composed songs.” 
     -Alex Kayetta, Roots & Shoots volunteer

Project Dar Es Salaam

    

In a globalized world, Western music dominates the air streams of many countries like Tanzania, but this program helps to preserve local cultural identity and music. The project has been able to help students to use music as a vehicle for positive change and encouragement for community involvement in youth led environmental initiatives.

The Community

Once a small coastal village, Dar Es Salaam is now the largest city in Tanzania and the country’s economic center. With a tropical climate, it has two rainy seasons characterized by hot humidity. It has a lively urban music culture that is influenced by globalization and hip hop thrives there, they have a local version of hip hop called bongo flava. There are still local traditions that thrive and are taught in this LI program.

Featured Teaching Artists

Instructors Mussa Mohamed and Bony Face John work together to teach drumming and dance.

Goals

Increased funding would provide different types of drums: Njuga and Marimba for the students to use to increase their musical skills. In addition, the group would like the opportunity to travel to LI Arusha, and other areas of Tanzania, to perform and compete with other groups, and would like to wear uniforms to distinguish themselves as a performing troupe.