Support special needs arts education in Hawaii

Hi my Name is Gerald Rivers and I am raising funds for a special drumming program in Kauai, Hawaii. I run an African Drumming Program called the Peace Players or the Peace Player Drummers in Los Angeles. It started some 15 years ago and now now exist at 4 different middle schools in the Los Angeles area. We use traditional West African djembes (drums) and rhythms to teach larger life lessons, ie: self discipline, self worth, self respect, respect for others, other cultures, other people and other traditions. The Peace Players promote Peace, Love and Positivity through music.

The group is extremely diverse and there are incredible success stories of children, teenagers, young people who have turned it around and become outstanding young people. Some went from fighting and failing, to excelling, becoming leaders and examples. Some went from being shy scared little girls or teenagers to becoming strong women who have a voice of reason to be heard and drumming helped them find their confidence and voice. Many, if not most, have gone on to do well in high school and college. Recently one of the programs alumni graduated with a masters degree in Physics. They volunteer, they participate in and believe in helping others and being of service. They protest peacefully and have their voices heard intelligently, articulately and passionately.

We now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to take this unique program to the students of Hawaii. The entire state of Hawaii (not just Maui) is hurting and mourning. The islands of Hawaii are spiritually and magically connected and many have family members and friends who lost everything in the fire. While there, we will be making a video to send a special message of healing and love to the young people of Maui. We want to let them know we haven't forgotten about them in spite of the fact that there have been other disasters in the world. We secured a state funded grant to buy 25 brand new handmade drums from Senegal, West Africa. And the proceeds from the purchase of these drums, has gone directly to benefit the village where these drums are handmade. The Cheifess Kamakahelei Middle School in Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii has identified dozens of students, including those with special needs to participate in this inaugural cultural exchange. The drums have arrived on the island from Africa already and I will be going to facilitate the program next month and will be on island for 6 weeks. However the grant did not cover the additional and exorbitant costs of shipping from Africa to Hawaii.

Here is where you come in. The vision has always been for my students here on the mainland in LA to go to Hawaii and welcome the new students into the international community of drummers who are playing music for peace. Students from LA in the program currently (ranging from 5th grade to college age, but mostly middle schoolers) represent varied cultures including African American, White, European, Latin American, Jewish, Asian Pacific Islanders and there are children with special needs already in the program. It is crucial for the new students to see people who look like them doing this incredible work. So we are looking to take 15 students from LA to Hawaii to listen to, play for and play with the young people of Kauai. More importantly that they can share their own experiences of what music has done and can do to make the individual and the world a better place. When young people play this music together... gender, race, religion, politics and special needs categories evaporate and people just get to be and play together.

Many of the students/families here cannot afford the trip. Your contribution will go directly to buy airline tickets and housing for the Peace Players. I will feed them and provide cultural excursions for them. We just need to get them there. We have raised some money already and some parents can afford the trip. But it is still not enough. So not only is it an opportunity for the students and young people in Hawaii, but what an opportunity for the students here from the city to go and be of service and expand their own horizons. If you have ever been to Hawaii you know it is a magical place and Kauai...the garden Aisle may be the most beautiful and magical of them all. There are no freeways and no tall building and the spirit of the land and culture is alive and pulsating. Imagine what that will mean and do for the city kids from LA.

Help us out, won't you, even just a little bit and be a part of this experience with us to teach, learn, share, make music and help heal.

Mahalo and Aloha