Project Proposal

Introduction
"Music Uganda” is an exciting initiative following on from, and adding to, the very successful school links programme based at the Education Centre at the Discovery Centre in Uganda.

“Music Uganda” is an inspirational project that draws on the rich talent and heritage of Ugandan youth and children to build confidence and release their potential, as well further enhancing links through the collaboration of UK schools.

Aim
The aim of “Music Uganda” is two-fold:
* To provide a vehicle through which Ugandan children and young people can express themselves through the creation, performance and recording of songs.
* To link with similar children and young people in the UK for joint collaboration in the creation and recording of songs.

Purpose
“Music Uganda” draws on the rich talent amongst the children and youth, and as such makes an ideal project for enhancing an individual’s self-confidence which is so often lacking in the poor communities that the Education Centre has come to serve. This project will also be able to “showcase” this talent to a much wider audience and so can be more widely appreciated.

Another purpose for the project is to further build and develop meaningful links between children and young people in Uganda and UK, using music and song as a point of connection.

Partners
We are thrilled to be working in conjunction with John Bowman of Notivate (see notivate.org). “Notivate” is an organisation that exists “to inspire, support and encourage young people through music” John has very successfully worked freelance in schools for many years, particularly through a programme which he has developed which realises the creative potential of children through writing, rehearing, performing and recording songs. John is also a gifted musician, composer and arranger and has a recording studio at “The Stables” Milton Keynes.

Building on Success
Many of the key elements for the success of this project are already in place:
* Good links with Ugandan schools already exist.
* Good links with Northamptonshire schools exist.
* Through the work of Discovery Centre there are significant links between schools in both countries. This has been greatly enhanced by joint conferences and British Council teacher exchange programmes.
* There is immense goodwill in the schools to make things happen
* There is capacity amongst the committed and talented Discovery Centre staff to run the proposed project, with the appropriate training.
* Commitment of John Bowman of “Notivate” to partner in the project in providing advice and training, drawing on his years of experience and success with “Notivate” in UK schools.
* Talent shows” with children and young people have already been running in Uganda and proved to be very popular.
* Already songs have been written and recorded by staff in a makeshift studio at Discovery Centre.
* In a pilot a song lyrics were composed by children in Uganda and these were then sent to the UK and a backing track added. A backing track was also added in Uganda. It was interesting to hear the results.

Breakdown of the Budget

Training of personnel to implement the programme		£1,500
First year core costs staff and consumables		£4,500
Construction of a recording Studio at Discovery Centre		£16,500
Equipping the Studio		£12,300
Furnishing the Studio		£4,200
Total Project Cost		£39,000

Sustainability of the Project
It is envisaged that the “Music Uganda” project would be self-financing once well established. Income would be derived from the more established independent Ugandan schools and visiting international groups. Discovery Centre already has a proven track record for achieving such income.

Conclusion
“Music Uganda” has huge potential to become a significant tool in enriching the lives of many children both in Uganda and the UK. This exciting development will enhance the already well established and effective ministry of Discovery Centre. We are of the opinion that investing in this project will result in very good value for money, as it will be sustainable and is long term. “Music Uganda” will influence the lives of many young people once in operation, not only in Uganda but also here in the UK - in particular it will provide opportunities in developing the musical talents and broadening the horizons for young people in and around Northampton.

Click on the flag to return to the top