Budumburam camp begins drumming programme

A drumming programme, The Cultural Crossings project, to help stimulate environmental awareness and self-expression in the orphanage at the Budumburam Refugee Camp in the Central Region has been initiated. 

The project was spearheaded by Ghanaian spoken word artist, Sir Black, and Liberian-German multi-disciplinary artist, Sarah Güsten-Marr.

Dubbed, the Healing Circle, the drumming programme is led by Isaac Quaye from Ghana and Kolawole Alaile from Nigeria. The two men will teach drumming skills to the children and it is hoped that their (children’s) participation would put them at ease enough to speak about their feelings and thereby help release inner turmoil. 

As part of the Healing Circle venture, the two experienced drummers will also work regularly on community team-building and clean-up projects with the children.  Sir Black, who is the founder of the Ehalakasa Poetry Movement, would be on hand to encourage the children through spoken word. 

When they show responsibility and general care for the community they live in, the children will earn some money, paid out from Güsten-Marr’s art sales, that will be given to their care mother for food and other necessities. 

“The children would have raised this money themselves and we know they will be excited that they have achieved something for their own welfare,” said the Yorkshire-based Güsten-Marr, who has taught her own successful cultural dance class in the North of England and has first-hand experience on how music and rhythm can lift the human spirit.

The Cultural Crossings project was launched in Accra last February. It is basically a platform to enable African artistes travel on the continent and share relevant experiences.  

“The Healing Circle is supported by Ghanaians, a Nigerian and a Liberian-German to help a Liberian orphanage based in Ghana. That’s African artistes are advising and inspiring children on the continent. To me, it is a wonderful example of Cultural Crossings,” Güsten-Marr pointed out.

She was adopted from a Liberian orphanage as a baby by a German couple. Having grown up and schooled in Germany, United States and Italy, Güsten-Marr had always been conscious about helping others in need.

“The Budumburam Orphanage received some external funding in the past but that has ceased and the facility has fallen on very hard times. It is hard enough being a refugee and being an abandoned refugee is certainly a double blow,” said Güsten-Marr, whose passion is to support a variety of creative programmes across Africa.