VIVA@GDPU: The proposal:
This is an exciting and innovative project, with enormous potential, it could grow in so many different ways. Unlike traditional skills based projects, the subject of the training – music – comes directly from those being trained.
- VIVA@GDPU is targeting 10 x youth for in-centre training; they will either be new trainees or past graduates from VPlus or etc@gdpu.
- The new music instructor will also be working with trainees and instructors across all the vocational courses. Finding ways to use music to help learning.
- The new music studio funded by VIVA@GDPU will let trainees produce music for change and advocacy. They will be trained on how to produce music and will remain to produce music by other PWDs (persons with disabilities). They will become trainers themselves, skilled in music production.
- The music department will run continuously, even at the weekend and people from the community will come to the VIVA@GDPU studio make music and to learn skills. This will be subsidised by the programme and they will only be charged small amounts. The aim is to change community views of disability.
- Success will be measured by how many youth are employed in music and music related activities, and by how much music made at the centre, is played on radio stations. The long term plan is for GDPU to set up it’s own radio station.
Music and Joy
During the graduation of the second cohort of VPlus at GDPU, the trainees excitement in making music really stood out. Their pleasure in traditional dance and songs was obvious, so was the joy in the audience in watching them .
Learning Acholi dance has long been one of the activities during training at GDPU. Music and music related activities create enjoyment and become a very useful advocacy tool when displayed to the local community. But could music making also be an aid to other forms of learning?
Music as a learning tool
Could this joy become more formalised and part of the curriculum? As a way of helping trainees, most have little of no formal education, learn how to learn?
Not forgetting also, that many graduates have made money through their music. Most trainee incomes came in under the UGX 1 million mark per month, but one person earned UGX 6 million last month (about £125.00), just from his music.
Music as a vocational skill
Could music, music related activities and music technology therefore become part of the vocational skills training courses at GDPU and as a standalone course in itself? The answer was obviously, yes. But it’s an expensive answer. To set up a working music studio worthy of the name would be a big undertaking. Who could fund this? Step forward: Viva La Visa.
Who are Viva la Visa?
| “Viva La Visa are UK based visa and immigration specialists for the music and entertainment industry, and beyond! We aim to streamline the visa application process and enhance the overall experience whilst offering the best possible chance of success with visa applications worldwide. Viva La Visa is a one stop shop when it comes to passport and visa needs, with a high success rate and an array of experience, we focus on providing seamless hassle-free visa services across all nationalities and to any destination.“ |
Viva La Visa was set up by Andy Corrigan in 2009. Andy is an experienced musician and a touring veteran, he also runs a successful music production company. He’s been in the business since 1977, and knows it from every angle. He has followed ETC from the start and has always been interested in what we do.
VIVA @GDPU is a natural fit for these ideas and we are incredibly grateful to him for stepping forward to fund this project and look forward to him becoming involved in its development too.
Acholi Music and Dance
Acholi music and dance are unique and central to the identity of people from this region. People with disability have often been excluded from their community by refusing to let them take part in their own music. This project will help to change that mindset and allow young Acholis with disabilities access to their own community and culture on equal terms. It will help them earn a living too, either as one of many income streams, or maybe, It will help them towards the sustainable lives that they long for and deserve.
If you want to follow the monthly progress of the VIVA@GDPU programme (Or any of the other ETC of PWD projects), please go to Project News
We will keep you posted, stand by for songs and dance!
If you would like to know more about the ETC of PWD charity please go to our Home page.
If you would like to give something, please go to our Donate page.
If you would like to know more about Gulu Disabled Persons Union (GDPU) please go to their Facebook page.
Many Thanks.
ETC of PWD 