Tanzania
With support from LEAF International, Ilboru Secondary School and St. Joseph Girls School in Arusha host the only music programs in the area teaching young people East African dance, song, and drum rhythms. The program began at Ilboru and was so successful that students at St. Joseph requested one of their own — leading LEAF to expand there as well.
Students meet two to three times a week after school and perform regularly in concerts that celebrate Tanzania’s 120 tribes, while also promoting the environmental message of LEAF's partner, Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots.
ONEmic Studio Arusha
Since 2014, LEAF ONEmic Studio has been used to teach music production to youth at Ilboru Secondary School. Students are encouraged to create music that impacts communities and preserves Tanzanian culture. Each week, students at Ilboru have the opportunity to record oral histories and explore their passion for music. More than 50 students have graduated from the program and gone on to build careers in music and art.
Founded in 2009 | Located in Arusha | 150+ Youth Served Weekly
Meet The Culture Keepers
Fredy Nganga is the LEAF International culture keeper in Arusha. Fredy Thomas Nganga was born in Tanga, northeastern Tanzania. He spent most of his childhood in Mamboleo, Mheza, Tanga. Early in the 80s, he moved to Arusha, where he has lived to date. He has been involved in traditional music since a young age. In 1993, Fred and his friends formed a traditional dance group called Uwasa Cultural Troupe. Since its inception, Fredy has been a leader of the group. He has more than 20 years of experience in traditional music. He also holds a certificate in arts - theatre for development. He is actively involved in traditional music and has been teaching for more than 15 years now.
Fredy
Gilbart Godwin Mwakalebe: The firstborn in a family of two sons from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He started his music journey in 2012 after moving to Arusha, where he began learning to rap, make beats, and write lyrics. His love for Hip Hop music paved the way for his journey in street festivals. In 2014, Gilbart started learning under the late Edward Ndoleli, LEAF’s first ONEmic Studio engineer in Tanzania. Gilbart will lead the ONEmic program forward in honor of Edward and the legacy he leaves with us.
Gilbert
“Music paved the path to creative freedom for me.”