Sounds of Palestine - Music for the Future

Sounds of Palestine is a long-term community music program for children from particularly disadvantaged areas in Bethlehem/Palestine. By making music together in a safe environment where the children are respected and encouraged, they can reduce fears and tensions and better cope with their often very difficult everyday lives. The children receive instrument group lessons, play in orchestras and sing together in choirs for 4-6 hours, 2 days a week. The project is inspired by the successful Venezuelan music school movement "El Sistema".

In addition to reducing tension and anxiety, the program strengthens the children's social skills. They learn to listen to each other, to support each other, to take responsibility for their contribution, to work together towards a goal and last but not least: to solve conflicts constructively. They also grow in self-confidence and joy. For example, an 8-year-old violin student said to us:

"I feel safe here. And when I play the violin, I feel happy."

In September 2012, Sounds of Palestine started its work in Bethlehem. In the meantime, a total of approximately 260 children participate in the kindergarten program and the afternoon program for school children.

The kindergarten program began in 2012 and currently takes place in three kindergartens for the children of the Al'Azzeh, Dheisheh and Aida refugee camps in Bethlehem. The approximately 110 children in these kindergartens receive regular early musical education in their daily kindergarten routine.

Once the children start school, they can participate in the Sounds of Palestine afternoon program. The afternoon program was started in 2013 with first grade students. Since then, one more grade level has been added to the program each school year until all grades were integrated. Currently, the afternoon program is attended by approximately 140 first through twelvth graders.

Since the program is free of charge for the children, we need financial support to purchase instruments and working material for the children and to pay the salary of the music teachers and social pedagogical staff. Here at betterplace we list some of the costs that are incurred for purchases and lessons within a school year. Every financial contribution helps us to give the children in Bethlehem joy and strength for their everyday life and to support them in developing new perspectives for their future. We are grateful for every donation with which you enable us to continue our work in Bethlehem.

Sounds of Palestine is a project of Katharina-Werk Basel, which is supported by Katharina-Werk Deutschland e.V.. Katharina-Werk Deutschland e.V. is recognized as a non-profit organization.