And the music begins!

We kicked off the week with our timetable in full swing, working with one group from each grade, paired with a teacher who was observing the sessions. Our room was set up with patterned rugs on the floor, and two large boxes filled with various instruments we brought with us, along with shiny new Kenyan instruments we had purchased in town. The children were eagerly peeking through the windows, excited to see what was happening and keen to start playing.

Monday and Tuesday consisted of a few initial groups, with Sarah leading the sessions through a variety of activities and name games, to support them to explore the instruments. It was heartwarming to see our partners’ enthusiasm to participate and observe and it was wonderful to see the strong relationship between the children and the staff. Both the children and teachers sang a variety of songs, including traditional ones in the local languages spoken within their own communities. At one point, Sarah—ever the professional—managed to keep the session flowing smoothly even while a particularly enthusiastic child tested the acoustic limits of a cymbal right next to her ear. It was already clear that the children were engaged in the music making, not wanting to stop even after the bell had rung.

In between sessions, our stomachs rumbled for Priscilla’s delicious ugali—a traditional Kenyan side dish made from maize which we quickly wolfed down at lunchtime. These moments also gave us a chance to connect with our partners’, learn the basics of Swahili, hear their stories, and learn more about the history of Bombolulu School of Promise. We also gained some local insight into the complex world of the marriage market in Kenya!

By Wednesday, we noticed that some children who weren’t participating in the groups started to feel left out. Wanting to include everyone, we reshuffled our timetable so every child could join in, and, wow, did we have our work cut out for us! After several attempts to organise a timetable that could accommodate all 100 students, we finally found the perfect one that worked. We ended the week with our teacher training session, a playful group improvisation (which provoked many laughs!) and a well–deserved coffee with all the teachers at a local café. It was clear from the training that our partners’ were already thinking about the individual children’s needs and noticing how the music could enable them to reach their own goals. We were delighted at the curiosity our partners’ displayed and the dedication to embrace this new style of music making.

Kwaheri kutoka,

Sarah and Katy

This project is supported by our Instruments of Change appeal, which helps us provide the musical instruments needed to make projects like this possible. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Bombolulu School of Promise staff will have access to a new set of quality instruments to use during and after the training. These tools play a vital role in helping staff use music in practical, meaningful ways — turning new ideas into everyday opportunities for exploration, creativity and connection.