Looking back at 2017

In October 2016 Jeroen de Groot, one of the most special violinists of our time, and friend Adriaan Kok created the idea starting up a music school for children in refugee camps. At that time, the problem in Greece was already enormous. Refugees were taken care of at different locations in Lesvos. The number of children in the relief camps was that time and still is very high and increasing. These children had a tough time and have seen a lot on the way to Europe. Making music brings comfort and creates hope!

In March 2017, the first music school is a fact! Connect By Music has placed two porto cabins in refugee camp Kara Tepe in Lesvos and decorated them nicely. Since then children and young adults are able to join the music lessons every day. These lessons are given by local professional music teachers. These teachers are guided by Connect By Music to work with these children in the correct way.

Because of the success of the project in Kara Tepe, the foundation was asked to provide music lessons for 150 refugee children staying on the island of Lesvos. “Most of these children are orphaned and often depending on themselves. This is the second project that Connect By Music is committed to.

A third project was set up in Moria camp in September, where music lessons are now being given.

“When in October 2016 this whole music lessons idea arose, we knew that music could bring a lot of good”, says Adriaan. “However, the positive power of music is even greater than we expected. The connection between the students and the teachers is works out in a great way. Often, both children and teachers are left with a tear when the children leaving the camps to proceed in their way to Central Europe “. “Because many children want to continue playing the musical instruments Connect By Music donates the instruments and provides remote lessons via Whatsapp and Messenger where contact between the teachers and the children is maintained.

The warm heart of Connect By Music is the current team of the five Greek teachers Annita, Kostas, Despina, Babis and Pela. They commit themselves every day and bring hope to beautiful sweet people who have left everything behind and have often lost loved ones. These members of the team earn all the credits for making all of this happen!

Musical future plans

Early 2018 music therapists and music therapists’ students will go to Lesbos to support the teachers on behalf of Connect By Music.

On behalf of the Team Connect By Music we want to thank all the lovely people who supported us in 2017. One hundred percent of your financial donation goes to the execution of our projects on Lesvos. Important to know is that all overhead costs incurred by the foundation are borne by the Board itself.

We wish everyone a loving and musical 2018. In peace.

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