Since January 2015, the Playing For Change Foundation has been working in the slums of Mirpur District of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to provide music education to underprivileged children.
In this district, 32% of residents live below the national poverty line of $2 per day and child malnutrition rates are 48%. Illiteracy rates are among the highest in the world.
Free and adapted music classes and music performances are being integrated into the curriculum of three existing education centers which are locally run by our program partner SpaandanB. The organization sprouted from the vision of a handful of expatriate Bangladeshi in 1998, and it is dedicated to better the lives of the less advantaged people in Bangladesh. SpaandanB initiates and implements projects in the area of establishment of education, remedy for health needs, and promotion of sustained subsistence.
Approximately 500 children aged 5 to 12 years old are served. Each teacher will work 24 hours per week to provide 48 hours of instruction per week or nearly 100 hours per month.
Children are being taught musicalization, rhythm exercises, songs as well as an opportunity to perform in their community and participate in workshops conducted by visiting musicians. In addition to music instruction, interdisciplinary work will be introduced using music to help students improve vocabulary, reading and pronunciation.