(Soma iyi nkuru muri Kinyarwanda.)

As you may already know, our Local Partners/Trainers in Rwanda delivered three series of Locally-Led Training events over the last two years. It was incredible to work alongside Audace, Alphonsine and Fidele and support them as they worked hard to deliver three impactful training sessions, despite facing some Covid barriers along the way!

We wanted to reflect on all the training series as a whole and share with you all the meaningful impact that our Local Trainers have had, on themselves as well as the participating care staff. Collectively, the three Locally-Led training series reached 59 care staff from 29 care settings across 17 districts in Rwanda, which could potentially create the opportunity for a total of 2,370 children and young people to access new music sessions at the participating settings.

Our Local Trainers fed back to us that they felt pleased with how their sessions went and a special moment noted in one of the series by Alphonsine was:

A shout out to the trainers that they had taught them [participants] well.

Local Partner, Alphonsine

Our Rwandan Trainers also told us that they saw an improvement in their training, planning and budgeting skills after each series; and there was an increase in their confidence from the first training series to the final training series gained by Music as Therapy International’s professional support. Our Local Trainers noted their appreciation for us taking the time to listen to what they wanted, providing them with what they need and allowing them to make their own decisions.

From all of the feedback that we collected from the participating staff across the training series, all of them told us that they enjoyed the training and told us that music will become a part of the activities in their centre. Additionally, all participants said that they learnt new music skills and techniques from the training, notably the skills required to help children living with disabilities.

Facilitators were good trainers. They delivered many things in short time and their methodology was good enough.

Locally-Led Training Series 2 Participant

We enjoyed all the topics covered especially knowing how to help children with disability.

Locally-Led Training Series 3 Participant

Significant learning points for some participants were the skills to entertain and help children relax, how to use music to help people with trauma and the introduction of music activities such as a ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ song. Notably, a few participants from the final training series shared with us that they realised music is an important tool for everyone that can be used for entertainment, a way to express feelings and as a form of medicine. Some participants also shared that the training helped them to prepare for music sessions and ensure that they meet the needs of individual children.

I was happy that music can make someone to show his feelings.

Locally-Led Training Series 3 Participant

Music as therapy is a good medicine.

Locally-Led Training Series 2 Participant

A special thank you to Audace, Alphonsine and Fidele for sharing their music skills across 17 districts in Rwanda! Their efforts will no doubt leave an impact on participating staff and their beneficiaries. We hope to work together with our Local Trainers to catch up with participants in the future to understand more about their longer-term impact and see what support can strengthen their music sessions.