If I could have held a camera steady, I would share with you the impossible jumble of motorbikes, tuk tuks, lorries, and minibuses that crawled and darted by turns along the main rush-hour road across Mombasa.  Market stalls selling everything from SIM cards to double beds are packed along the route, and the noise is constant.  Then suddenly, we turned up a side street, and there in the wall is a gate with the legend ‘Bombolulu School of Promise’.

The three of us had arrived in Mombasa on a warm wet weekend, and on Monday morning we were keen to visit the school – founded in Bombolulu by a British music therapist, Jacqui Furlepa, just over 20 years ago.  Sarah and Katy are the team who will stay in the community for 6 weeks, sharing their skills to enable our Kenyan Partners to use music as therapy techniques with the children in their care. I am overseeing the project, and was looking forward to meeting the people I have heard such great things about for so long.

Inside the gate is a playground, shaded by the most magnificent tree. We were very warmly welcomed by the leadership team, Miriam and Daniel, before starting to quietly watch the school as it worked.  Over the course of that first week, we would see the extraordinary community this tiny school has created, one where people are genuinely invested in each other, and encourage each other.  Teachers were keen to talk to us to find out how and when the work would begin.  Children were excited to see us, and to share their world.

The school is full of energy and life.  On the second day, we were treated to a full on performance of singing and dancing, and the strong call and response songs were a joy to hear.  But also, singing breaks out in classrooms as a teacher uses familiar songs to reinforce all aspects of learning, and the children almost jump over the desks to share their understanding.  Given the slightest encouragement, children will sing to us in the corridors and playgrounds.  Space is very limited, as are resources, but it’s very rare to see a child shove another, or be less than kind. 

At lunchtime we all share an astonishingly delicious hot meal, served from huge cooking pots over an open brazier. The cook, Prisclla, is also fully invested in the programme and will be taking part; and  like so many of the teachers, she is a confident musician and keen to learn new skills.  Everyone is keen to teach us Swahili, and will name things for us to repeat (I would so like to learn some of the songs!  But they go too fast…) and one boy recited a poignant poem in Swahili, that some other children echoed the words in the refrain.. I couldn’t understand the words or the explanation, but his tone conveyed the sadness.

And so the week went by.  Timetables have been drawn up and initial workshops shared. Additional instruments were bought – traditional Kenyan instruments that will compliment the smaller percussion brought from the UK beautifully – and we found our way through the confusing market stalls and found the best places to eat, gradually learning our way around. On Saturday we went to the beach, and swam in the glorious ocean. 

This morning, Sunday, I am leaving Sarah and Katy to start the training in earnest on Monday.  I am so looking forward to hearing what happens next!

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.