Team PATA

Keiskamma makes the music happen

There is always something new out of Hamburg, the small rural town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The Keiskamma Trust, based in the town and working closely with the Hamburg clinic, is probably best known for its Art Project which has been responsible for creating incredible, enormous tapestries over the past few years.

The Keiskamma Trust promotes health and hope through art, HIV/AIDS treatment, poverty alleviation projects, music, and education initiatives in the village. Helen Vosloo founded the Keiskamma Music Academy in August 2006 for children of the community in Hamburg, Ntilini and Bodium.

The Academy's 18 students have gone from strength to strength. They have performed at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown as well as at the unveiling of the Keiskamma altar piece tapestry entitled 'Creation', which actually depicts the Academy's recorder class. Seven of the recorder students have played the Trinity Initial Recorder Exam at the end of 2008 and some also entered the East London Eisteddfod, winning three silver certificates between them. Well done!

When the children are asked why they like to play the recorder, their answers often acknowledge the opportunity they have been given:
"I like it because now I am not on the street, and now I play beautiful music."
"I like it because now it makes me see other places, I have gone to East London and to Grahamstown".

Students are not selected by the Music Academy. The only criterion of membership is that they attend regularly. There will soon be another intake of students.

We wish them the best of luck!