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Jacaranda - German volunteers developing Arts for the children

Volunteers have put their energy and enthusiasm into developing the Arts at Jacaranda. David Drengk and Jonas Petrenz (both from Germany) use their free time from their one-year stay as Weltwärts volunteers in Malawi to put together the Jacaranda School band. Using the drum set donated by our great friend Harlan Steinberger, and the guitars donated by students from the Shanghai American School in China, David and Jonas are teaching the children how to play the instruments, while our teachers are in charge of the school choir. David and Jonas have also transformed, after a thorough clean-up, our old house garage into a music room.

David Drengk, 19 year-old volunteer, speaks about his experience in Malawi and at the Jacaranda school:

"There are so many possibilities here, because the children are very open-minded. They are very happy to play music with us. What I find very nice is that they are trying to tell us about their lives, through their interactions with us. Some of them showed me songs they wrote, these songs talk about their way of life here, but also about themes young people around the world talk about, like love."

"The children are very talented in music, many of my friends in Germany are not that good, actually! And the kids are really having fun when playing."

"In Germany, I started playing music in primary school. There was a music school where kids could go and play any instrument they wanted. I loved banging up the drums, so I ended up being a drummer! Then we had a band in high school, playing different styles of music. To me, the most important when playing in a band, is to listen to the other musicians. Then you can do anything, you can improvise. That's what we do here with the Jacaranda band."

"I really feel that for someone like me, who just finished high school in my country and is spending a year in Malawi as a volunteer, the best place to be is a school or an orphanage. I don't have any real qualifications yet, so what I can do best is spend time with children, interact with them, be here for them. To me, education should be the number one priority in Malawi, because children are the future of their country. If they receive a good education, they can develop their country."

"When I go back to Germany in September, I want to go to university to study political science, with a link with Africa. Africa really gets into your skin. I want to do presentations about Malawi for my high school, my soccer club, my university, etc. I want to show the other side of Africa, or the other side of Malawi, because Africa is so huge. Here I experienced the opposite of what I was seeing on the news about Africa. As soon as I greet people in chichewa, peole open up, they smile, and they start talking about anything. They invite me to share their food, even though they hardly have enough for themselves! When they first meet me, they always think that because I am from Europe, I have lots of money; but when they realize I'm 19, I just finished high school and I am here as a volunteer, they understand."

"Back in Germany, I would like to organize a fundraising concert to help. I'll invite several bands, and we'll have a clear goal. I really feel I can contribute to the development of the Jacaranda school."

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Posted: Mar 23 10 by Tatiana | Comment On This Post [0]