One morning I read an article by Andrew Harding reporting for BBC news entitled “A fond farewell to an uneasy South Africa”. His article said it was hard to predict the future for a country that has the highest unemployment rate (42%) in the world. This sums up the dire need for people to address the issues that are the source of some of the hardships. Education and social upliftment are core to empowerment. If children have access to something that will generate jobs, help themselves and the community; South Africa has a way to address the disparity and inequality.  South Africa has overcome so much. I believe in possibility. I can’t look the other way or shrug my shoulders. As an individual I can make a difference. I am a teacher and my mantra is “I don’t teach music, music teaches me”.I have worked with development projects before while teaching at Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre. I have experienced children succeed in music and be uplifted by it. I want to build a legacy where the children I teach become teachers and performers in their own community. Where locals help locals and our community gives back. A space where children can escape toxic environments and safely, healthily express themselves.

On a personal note I am close to someone who has struggled with addiction and wish that through the work that I do that I can reach one child and give them a reason to follow a different path and see possibility beyond their circumstances. They can change the course of their future and invest in themselves.