Music Program for Jane Adeny School

"Good enough for the richest and open to the poorest".


The Jane Adeny Memorial School (JAMS) is located in rural western Kenya and opened its doors to 12 students in 2011. It now has around 120 students and focuses heavily on the education and empowerment of Kenyan girls. They do this by offering an education that is of high enough quality for the rich, but also open and affordable to the poor through scholarship and donation. Since 2011, they have made many educational advances, and offer the girls more opportunities than some could have ever imagined. Their most recent goal has been to create a new science building and equip chemistry, biology, and physics labs within it. 

While JAMS has created countless educational opportunities for its students, they have yet to have a music program in their school. This is where I come in. I heard about JAMS and was instantly intrigued and inspired by its message of positivity and female empowerment. I wanted to get involved. 

After meeting with the founders of the school, Teresa Wasonga and Andrew Otieno, I only became more determined to do whatever I could to assist in the vital opportunities being provided to these young women.  Most come from nothing and would not have had access to high school, yet many are successfully going on to university.  As a musician, and music educator, I know the profound impact music can have, not just socially/emotionally, but neurologically and educationally as well.  Having come from many blessings and privileges, I find myself in the position of being able to share my gifts, time and energy to bring the joy and learning of music to this amazing school.  

The funding in this effort is threefold: 1) to make a trip in December of 2017 to acquaint myself with the school, surroundings, young women, and what would be most needed/effective in terms of a music education program.  2) Funds to assist my travel to Kenya summer of 2018 to start a program, work as a music educator and assist with English language skills. 3) Most importantly to purchase 25-30 ukuleles, a variety of drums and rhythm instruments and some educational materials to provide music education and create ensembles for the girls (instrumental and vocal).  All of these would be left at the school for use by the girls after my time there. 

Any donation you could make would be so very appreciated.  It would not only help me in bringing and creating a music program/curriculum at JAMS, but would give me growth and experiences beyond anything I could have ever imagined.   I firmlly believe I will carry these experiences for the rest of my life into any classroom, situation, civic group or community.

Thank you so much, and please let me know if you have any questions!

-Nelle