Ikusasa’s heart beats like a drum
Surprisingly calming sounds can be heard from the Ikusasa Centre as children play their hearts out.
A group of 28 children who used to live on the streets of Krugersdorp recently had a very special visit by a musician.
The children usually join Lee Joubert every Monday for a free drumming therapy class at the Ikusasa Development Centre, but on Monday afternoon 10 November they had a surprise waiting for them.
When Vaughn Harris entered the community hall of the centre he was welcomed by the loud bangs of the children and their teacher playing the drums with their hands.
Harris has been teaching drums for more than 20 years and also plays a number of other instruments including percussion.
“Children between the ages of nine and 18 are allowed to join in the drumming therapy classes for free,” says Donald Nyirenda, project manager at the centre.
The boys’ faces light up with bright smiles as they lose themselves in the beat of the drums.
“Drums and humble hands go together,” says Harris as he demonstrates new beats to the children.
Some of the children closed their eyes as their hands follow the rhythm of both their teachers and Harris.
Harris has agreed to join Joubert once a month to teach the boys the ABCs of drumming. The centre provides a variety of programmes for the youth such as informing them about the dangers of substance abuse, teaching them leadership development and life skills, and run spiritual individuation programmes free of charge.
“We offer these programmes to try and keep the children from the community off the street and away from abusing substances,” adds Nyirenda.
Most of the children at the centre are either orphans or used to live on the street. At the centre they are sent to school and receive a formal education.
Ikusasa is funded partly by government, however they mostly rely on donations to keep them going.
“We are in need of at least six more Djembe drums,” says Joubert.
The Djembe drums, which are imported all the way from Ghana cost R600 per drum. For more information or to become part of this initiative, contact Donald Nyirenda on 011 660 5746.
Contributions and donations are welcome.
To view more photos, click here.
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