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Our fifth strategic driver ‘Embrace’ is all about learning to ensure we are improving operationally to be more efficient, nimble and able to respond to challenges. So when the opportunity to entrust our Rwandan Partners to deliver training in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could no longer happen due to regional conflict, we had to think of a new way to respond to Patrick Musafiri’s request to help him introduce the use of music to settings known to him in the DRC.

Once we found out that Patrick has been using music in his work and has experience of delivering other training, the prospect to have Patrick participate in a Training for Trainer opportunity became very possible. With the UK foreign office advising British nationals against travelling to the DRC, having a music therapist travel to the country to deliver the training as we did in the past was not an option. Instead, it meant us rethinking the way in which we can deliver the training remotely and with the current use of technology in present times this meant it was feasible.

We adapted our old Training for Trainer model to a new five stage process that could be delivered for Patrick to participate remotely. The five stages included Patrick evidencing his approach to using music through a video and developing an outline of a training content that he would use when sharing his music skills with other practitioners once being awarded a ‘Recommended Trainer’ status from us. Throughout the process, we had Advisory Panel member and music therapist Emma Britton, and our director, Alexia Quin, review Patrick’s work and offer feedback for improvement. Considering we’ve not had a team visit Patrick at his places of work to see him in action in-person, the process also included hearing from his employers to learn more about his work.

What we can add is that Patrick is one of our managers who is passionate about his work and among the best workers in our organisation.

Association des Jeunes Pour le Développement Inclusif – DRC

We were really impressed by Patrick’s participation in our Training for Trainer process and thrilled that he achieved a ‘Recommended Trainer’ status.

Read Patrick’s story to hear about his experience of the training and learn why he is so passionate about introducing the use of music in the DRC.

My ideal vision for the future of the use of music in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for children with disabilities is that of an inclusive environment, where music is recognised as a powerful tool for children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Patrick Musafiri