SIHLALO PROMISE

Sihlalo Promise (the philanthropic arm of Sihlalo Outreach) is the music and instrument-making side of the organisation.  It is funded by donations.  It sponsors a children’s African music program on Saturdays, focusing on teaching them about musical heritage.  Children learn to play traditional African music on marimba, mbira, kora, shakers and drums (instruments are made by their teacher in the Sihlalo Outreach woodworkshop). Donations are used to fund transport, food, instrument manufacture, and teaching.  Safe, reliable transport for the children is the biggest expense for the program.   There are many many more children who could attend classes if more funding for transport is available.

Learning music has far-reaching effects for children.  It develops left-brain skills which children don’t often get from other academic activities, or from sport.   It is well known that children who learn left brain skills do better in class than their peers.

Learning music teaches children discipline, patience and team work, and gives them skills that will help them to get ahead in life.  For instance, it teaches them to listen, follow instructions, count in time, memorise music sequences, respect others and take responsibility for their role in a group.   They also learn in a fun way to strive towards achieving goals.

They learn to prioritise their time and achieve more in their day, and it gives them confidence in public, poise and maturity.

These life skills are particularly important for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Sihlalo is dedicated to providing opportunities to all African children.  Children are the future in any culture, and never more so in a developing country where education, skills development and opportunity isn’t widely or freely available.

Sihlalo children are aged 6-15 years.   The children arrive on time every Saturday morning excited to learn and be together. They have a healthy midmorning snack as they are always hungry!

The output of the program is not only aimed at musical performance, but also to build confidence, dignity, self-respect, honesty, self-control, love of learning, and organisation.  Natural musicians and youth leaders are emerging.  The children are gaining marketable musical skills and a way of making a living in future in an uncertain world.

 

Instrument Maker And Teacher
  • Sihlalo Outreach is a fully registered, VAT-compliant, not for profit training program. All donations to its philanthropic arm (Sihlalo Promise) are tax deductable
  • Donate directly or online

Donations needed urgently for safe transport, uniforms & instruments

Sihlalo Philanthropic Arm Banking Details:

Sihlalo Promise NPC

FNB (Business Account) 62809525233

Woodstock Branch

Branch Code 201909