Page 8 - link magazine

Old instruments wanted in South America Schools share love of sport
Renowned classical music composer
and conductor Luis Szaran from
Paraguay made another brief visit to
Swindon in May to update friends
on his Sound of the Earth project in
his homeland.
In between touring the world to
conduct top orchestras, Luis runs
Sonidos de la Tierra which provides
musical education to disadvantaged
children and young people. Luis Szaran receiving a bugle from
The project relies on donations of Amy Fidgett from Coleview in May
instruments. In many households
across Swindon there is probably what people living in the poorest
a musical instrument stored in a situations, in slums or on dumps, Molifa Daffeh with Peatmoor pupils ready to launch sports week
cupboard or the loft, full of memo- can achieve, making and playing
ries of learning to play at school, or instruments made from recovered Peatmoor Primary School welcomed are often done in the classroom
perhaps a former hobby. pipes and bottle tops.” back Molifa Daffeh, headteacher for lack of resources. “Everybody
Speaking through an interpreter Commenting on his visit to Swin- of Pirang School in the Gambia, in in Gambia loves football, but our
he said: “Sonidos de la Tierra is don, Luis said: “There are good and June, following an exchange trip pupils now spend more time in the
also about community life; we help bad people in all parts of the world. in April by Peatmoor deputy head playground learning rugby skills
young people gain a skill and build Here I have only found wonderful Sarah Adams and colleagues. and the parachute is very good to
confidence through playing an people who understand what we The Connecting Classrooms project include girls and boys of all ages.”
instrument. Music is in our soul and are trying to achieve. We have been funded by the British Council has Sarah said: “We organised Peat-
we use it to bring people together.” building a cultural bridge between been going for three years. Previous moor’s annual sports week around
He added there is less need for Swindon and my country.” themes focussed on exchanging Molifa’s visit in early June so that
stringed instruments because there John Holland collects the instru- information and schoolwork on he could see how we use physical
are local workshops to make them. ments to send to Paraguay. He said: how children get to school, planting activity in the curriculum to keep fit
But, brass and wind instruments “It’s amazing what Sonidos de la gardens in schools and growing food. and also to learn about food and its
are wanted. Whatever condition Tierra are doing to build communi- In April the Peatmoor staff took effect on our bodies.”
they are in they can be repaired ties.” sports equipment to Pirang and She hopes the school’s link will be
before being sent to places where Contact John Holland on 07771 demonstrated how to play rugby able to continue after an assess-
orchestras are being formed. 615663 to discuss donating instru- and games with a parachute. ment report and a further grant
Luis said: “You would be amazed ments. Molifa explained that PE lessons application to the British Council.

8 swindonlink.com n July 2015