Music Project At Hope Learning Centre

Indonesia has about 14,000 refugees, largely from the Middle East. Cisarua – a mountain near the capital Jakarta – serves as a temporary haven for most of them.

This series of workshops was held for 18 Afghan refugees in Cisarua’s Hope Learning Centre, and facilitated by seven musicians from Singapore and Indonesia. Its goal: to empower and improve the emotional well-being of these refugees, many of whom are living in limbo as they await resettlement.

The musicians imparted basic music skills, facilitated musical storytelling sessions, and conducted various art activities. They also helped participants to develop three musical compositions based on ideas and stories told by the refugees. In a concert that capped the workshop series, these original creations were performed by the musicians and participants, for an audience comprising 200 members of the Afghan refugee community.

By helping musicians in this refugee community develop the skillsets required to run similar workshops, the initiative also enables participants to contribute to other marginalised communities in Asia.

Partners:

• Yong Siew Toh (YST) Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore
• Yayasan Bandung Philharmonic