13 Sep 2016

As a prelude to their launch in Botswana, Stave House Academy in partnership with Jesus Prayer International Botswana spent 50 minutes of their time at Mmopane teaching orphans and vulnerable children music as part of the 50^th independence anniversary.
Learning music can be quite expensive, but the children around Mogoditshane and Mmopane, 50 in number had a chance to learn the art of music for free at Camels Lodge in Mmopane over the weekend.
At the event, the young happy faces got to sing the rendition of the song O etla Jeso, with such vigor and smiles as well as other songs and notes they learnt through the music programme demonstrating how learning music could be such an exciting venture.
Speaking during the event, founder of Jesus Prayer International Botswana Cynthia Rendoh said her organisation together with Stave House Academy chose to celebrate 50 years anniversary festivities with children by inviting other stakeholders with the same vision to spend their 50 minutes with them hence their partnership with UNICEF and ministry of local government and rural development.
Co-founder of Stave House Academy,  Ruth Travers explained that Stave House music programme is a method of teaching children to read, write and play music. It uses a magnetic board and magnetic characters to represent the notes on the stave, and the children learn musical notation through stories, games and songs.
She also highlighted that the programme can teach very complex things such as confidence, self-worth and boost self-esteem among others.  It also teaches children to work together enhancing team building, sharing and decision making.
The programme is also used to instill godly behavior in young children using music and introducing soft skills for personal development such as dancing, public speaking, reading and business skills.
Ruth also emphasised the fact that the programme teaches music and other concepts in a fun and enjoyable manner.
For her part, head of child protection from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Margaret Mokgachane said commitment to child protection was a priority to government as evidenced by laws that government had enacted in favour of children.  The 2009 revised Children’s Act is among laws aimed at protecting children as well as programmes that had been introduced to address socio economic needs of children.
She explained that since government could not do it all alone, partnering with the civil society such as communities, churches and other organisations was crucial in bridging the gaps hence they were grateful to have children being taught music through such a partnership.
She also mentioned that there were 30 207 registered and supported orphans by government in Botswana.  However, Kweneng District has the third largest number of registered orphans after Central District being number one followed by Southern District.  About 3200 children are registered in Kweneng as orphans.  
The Stave House programme, accredited by London College of Music was founded and created by Dr Ruth Travers, a musician, composer and music teacher who has been teaching music to children for 32 years. ENDS