Liz's Presentation at Garden City Benefit Concert

The Garden City High School Tri-M Music Honor Society students hosted Liz Shropshire at a musical clinic for 4^th and 5^th Graders on January 31^st, 2013!

Tri-M Honor Society in Clinic with Liz Shropshire

Liz came “all the way to southwest Kansas” to present an assembly to GCHS students followed by “SMF Youth Volunteer Training” for Tri-M Honor Society Students.

Tri-M Students Helping Teach 4th and 5th Graders

After school ended, she worked together with the Tri-M students to teach 4^th, and 5^th grade students about SMF, including teaching two songs that she uses in classes around the world.

Concert Performance: Tri-M Students with 4th and 5th Grade Students

At the evening concert, Liz and the High School and Elementary School students performed “Peace Like a River” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

Tri-M Students Playing Game with 4th and 5th Graders, Making Them Feel Welcome

The reaction from the students, parents, and teachers during the day was amazing. The young students were thrilled to be participating and sang their hearts out at the concert!  High school students and parents alike were curious to hear about the different war zones where SMF teaches classes.  At the end of the day, the interest level was extremely high and some of the students have not stopped asking questions about SMF since!  Donations at the concert and clinic fees raised $997 for SMF and it is our hope that we will be able to participate in SMF events again in the future.

Thank you, Liz, for inspiring our students and showing them how music can make a positive difference by promoting

peace around the world!

By Bethany Nickel, Assistant Band Director at Garden City High School

FACT: Catholic and Protestant children in Northern Ireland become friends when brought together for music classes teaching peace through music.

FACT: Child Soldiers in Uganda become Peacemakers when they become music teachers

to war traumatized children

FACT: Genocide Survivors in Kosovo become Leaders forming the pathway to better schools and a just society

WEAR OUR SHIRT AND SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF
PEACE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD!!

Pairing up with kids clapping and chanting Titi Torea

Some of the kids used to be scared of us while some of them were so excited to see us just because we’re foreigners and they probably didn’t really care what we’re gonna do here. But now they see us as their friends. They would rush to us and give us hugs and kisses as we arrive. Especially when we’re driving into Brekoc Community, where the minorities (Romans, Egyptians etc.) live, I can’t describe how touching and heart-warming I feel when I see the kids rushing out of their houses towards the community center when they see our vans driving by. Our weekly meeting with them has become something that they look forward to.

Liz once said that one of the goals of SMF (besides teaching them peace and healing them from the war traumas) is to build up the kids’ confidence. And I testify that SMF has done great progress on that goal. By asking them questions and allowing them to choose a song to sing with the whole class, we build up their courage little by little.

Reviewing what they've learned for the whole class

We sometimes let the kids have their own little talent show; it’s fun to watch the kids being so eager to perform for us. There’s one thing I really like in how the volunteers teach classes — they let kids take turns and come up to the blackboard to demonstrate what we taught them last time. Especially when we’re giving the rhythm lessons, almost all the kids would like to try clapping out a rhythm for the whole class.

Demonstrating clapping rhythms for the whole class

Their enthusiasm are so great that the volunteers have to remind them to raise their hands before they make comments.

I have to say something good about the new volunteers as well. When we first arrived in Kosova, some new Kosova volunteers joined SMF. Without a full knowledge of music, those new volunteers still participate all the meetings and classes.

Volunteers participating the activities with the kids

They put a lot of effort into learning music just so that they can help out teaching the kids. They’ve spent extra time learning music notes, rhythms, conducting etc. With their eagerness to become part of the SMF family and to become someone who can change some kids’ lives, they surely have worked hard.

For us the BYUH

students, there are moments we may complain or feel tired even during the lessons with kids. Liz reminds us: “This program is for the kids to have fun. The kids can tell if we’re having fun or not. If they notice that we think this class is boring, there’s no way they’re going to enjoy it.” Even if we’re tired, we still have to remember that the kids are our first priority and that they are the reason why we came all the way from Hawaii to Kosova. Seeing the kids smile and laugh is truly the greatest reward after a busy class is done. And that’s the main reason why we have to keep this program running, to bring happiness and build up the kids’ confidence.

Happy faces!

First day with the volunteers

My experience with the Shropshire Music Foundation here in Kosovo has truly been an unforgettable experience.  I have worked with and met many amazing people, who have all had an impact on my life.  The ones who impressed me the most were the volunteers.

Leke leading the volunteers in a drum circle

I don’t know many young adults and teenagers who will dedicate all their time to teaching kids.  Not only do they dedicate all their time and talents; they also do it with a smile on their faces.  I can tell that the program has brought them joy, and they want to bring that joy to others, too.

Leke, Emika, Qiki and Aaron all focused on drumming

They have been through a lot in their lives, but they are still happy and try to have fun as much as they can.  I have loved hanging out with them and hearing their life stories and their personal interests.  They are normal youth, but they dedicate themselves to teaching children and changing lives.

At a volunteers house, with their family

I can tell that the volunteers are loved by the kids they teach; every time we go to teach, we are all greeted by hugs and kisses from everyone.  Teachers and students alike are changed by the program.  I know this because I have seen it every day here in Kosovo.

Burim playing guitar and singing for one of the classes

Everyone here is a fast learner.  I think this is because everyone really cares about each other, so the students

are confident and not afraid to sing and play music.  I have been teaching drumming to the volunteers, and have been amazed at how fast they pick it up.  I can see that the foundation has helped them to become better students and learners.

Doing a drum circle

Although they like to joke and have fun, they are also very disciplined.  The first few weeks that I have taught drumming, I was impressed by how closely they listen to me and how much they want to learn.  Because of the hard work that they have put into it, I decided to spend the last class doing a drum circle, where everyone grabbed a different percussion instrument and we all just played together for an hour.  It was loud and rowdy, but boy was it fun!  At least I had fun, and I’m sure everyone else did, too.

Singing with the kids

The discipline they have also spreads to the kids they teach.  The kids, like every kid on the planet, like to play and have fun.  We have fun, but when it’s time to focus and learn, the kids and volunteers work together to make learning possible.  Because of this, all the kids learn really fast, gain more confidence, and simply become happier.

Playing with the kids at Brekoc

In short, I guess you could say if there was only one thing I learned on this internship, it’s that this program works.  Not only does it work, but it works miracles.  I know that the skills that we teach will not only help them become better musicians, but better people.  They will gain confidence, obtain learning skills, and become the future leaders with the good qualities that this world so desperately needs.  Although I will soon return to Hawaii to continue my studies, I look forward to helping out the foundation as much as I can.

Children in singing class at SMF house

Youth Volunteers doing singing activity with students

Nightly Youth Volunteer Training

Children in Singing Class at SMF House

August 13-17

This week I have been reflecting on the program and what it is and how it really helps..

One thing I am seeing is how the program helps the kids with their confidence. For instance, we have been teaching the kids a Maori (New Zealand) song with hand movements. After teaching the words and the tune, we pair volunteers with kids and do a clapping routine to the song. This week we practiced it all at the same time, and then had each pair get up in front of the class and show what they learned. Some do it fast or slow, but we encourage them all and cheer when they finish.

Confidence through music; being able to learn songs, read music, play instruments, answering questions in class, and even simply making connections with other kids and the youth volunteers who show they care about them.

The other thing that stood out to me was the structure of the program. The kids start out as students and progress through the notes and learning an instrument, and when they are old enough they can become a youth volunteer and teach other kids just as they were taught before.

Teaching a man how to fish is great, but

teaching a man how to teach another man to fish is even better! That is exactly how this program is able to reach so many kids and it doesn’t matter where the original teacher is, because this program is self-sustaining in being able to teach the kids. (funding is the only part that would hold it back)

One last thought.. I love the smiles of these kids, some of them smile no matter what; this is one thing I want to remember and learn from them.

A familiar face at the Brekoc Community Center

Another week freckled with great moments has come and gone. As I reflect upon some of those moments, I am filled with gratitude for this special opportunity to be apart of this program.

Spending time with, both, the students and the volunteers, has truly been a life learning experience. Here are a few of my thoughts about this past week.

Monday through Wednesday the temperature reached up to 40 degrees Celsius. If you’re from America and you are reading this, you may not understand. So, let me do the conversion for you…it was blazing, burning, scorching I tell you! A kupton? Mir. There’s

some Albanian for ya ( a kupton = understand, mir = good).

With the vans in the shop for a few of these days, our mornings were spruced up with a stroll or two through the city experiencing the culture, people, and heat in true Gjakove fashion. Then, as if the heavens approved our withstanding the hellish heat, we were rewarded with some refreshingly cool days to end our week. But, enough of the weather already.

The children of the Brekoc Community Center

Two days of each week we go teach the kids out at the Brekoc Community Center. Most of these children are minorities and come from some of the poorest families in Gjakove. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of progress that needs to be made in how minorities are viewed and treated in Kosovo. Saying that these kids have it rough would definitely be an understatement.

Out of the three schools where we teach, the Brekoc children triumph in rowdiness. This can make for some lively game playing, but can also cause for a good amount of time wasted in trying to settle the children down.

BYUH student, Amber, getting rowdy

Wednesday, we made our stroll through the city headed for the Brekoc center. Upon our arrival, we were surprised to learn that the center had a schedule mix up and that we would be sharing our time with an NGO from Italy. The summer heat and games played with the Italian group before our time with the kids had them bouncing off the walls.

Rowdiness had seemingly been conqueror that day as we shuffled the children inside to settle them down and sing a few songs. Time was cut short and the students were let loose. Though teaching didn’t go quite as planned, I observed something I thought to be very important about the volunteers and the Shropshire Music Foundation.

I noticed the importance of teaching the students about discipline. I watched how the volunteers reacted to such behavior from the children. I was, and have been on multiple occasions, impressed as I watched Leke, Qiki, and Fortessa give the proper attention to the students while reminding them to behave and quietly pay attention to the teacher.

Qiki helping a girl learn the quarter note

I feel that being wild and playing games with the children is important to

help the students feel the love and attention that sometimes they don’t receive. There is plenty of play time in the program, however, for some of the kids, they may not have someone to properly teach them about discipline.

I have learned that a big part of teaching peace through music is teaching the children how to become leaders. And, in order to become leaders, it is necessary that they learn discipline.

Leke, Qiki, Fortessa, along with the other volunteers of the program are able to teach discipline because they have learned it for themselves. Whether, or not, they have learned it in their own homes I know the program has been able to help them learn such principles about discipline.

Class is in session at the Brekoc Center

I am so grateful to be a part of the Shropshire Music Foundation. In the short time already spent here, I have come to love Kosovo and its people…hot summer days and all.

Eve Online Billionaire Isk Guide

After much preparation and anticipation, 8 if us from Brigham Young University Hawaii finally made our way more than halfway around the world to the beautiful country of Kosovo, tucked away in Eastern Europe.  Now, how did we become so lucky you might ask?… Let me start back in September 2011, when Liz Shropshire visited the BYUH campus and began teaching a weeklong pennywhistle course.  Seeing posters and flyers around campus a few weeks prior to Liz’s arrival; advertising this “Shropshire Music Foundation: teaching children peace through music”, I and many others were immediately interested.  Music has always been a major part of my life, and I wanted to learn how I could help others (especially children) use music as a source of peace; as I had felt in my own life the power of music.

The second I met Liz that first training, I knew I was in the right place, and wanted to become involved in every way possible with her incredible foundation.  She spoke about the different programs in Northern Ireland, Uganda, and Kosovo…and I was so intrigued by the new information about each site.  My eyes were opened to the affects of war (Kosovo in particular), in a country I didn’t even know existed!  I saw just a glimpse of what the Shropshire Music Foundation had done to help already, and I was excited to continue on this new journey.

We were able to learn the basics of music, teaching notes and rests, conducting, and playing the pennywhistle!…it was honestly one of my favorite Weeks during my time at the university.

Liz returned to Hawaii in January 2012, teaching us advanced training and adding a new beginners group…and she told us there was a possibility of applying for a summer internship with

the foundation in Kosovo! Liz asked me to direct the trainings, or practices, for the remainder of the semester and by the end, she had chosen the handful of students who would be assisting her that summer….well…that brings us to now! :)

Amber, Emika, Amanda, Diana, Bobby, Daniel, Aaron and myself (Natalia) excitedly arrived in Kosovo on July 19th, 2012 to begin or unforgettable experience with Liz and the Shropshire Music Foundation!

Having heard so much from Liz about the incredible local volunteers that run the program, it was so neat to finally meet them and hear their stories.  Each one of them has a different history, and recollection of the war…but all share the same love and dedication for what this foundation does….help children affected by the past in any way gain confidence in themselves and others…so they are able to share that confidence and peace through music.

Getting to know the volunteers, the program, and the culture that first week was something I (nor any of the others) will never forget.  The volunteers working so well with the kids and the bond they share with each other, the warmth and welcoming of them and all those we come in contact with, and the hard work and dedication involved in running the organization.  It was amazing to find out that even when Liz is not around (when she’s in the other countries), the program remains organized and successful–because of the volunteers. Who are all truly special and incredible people.  At such a young age, and having been through so much, they are able to grow continually and help all those around them.

From what I’ve witnessed in my short time here already, the Shropshire Music Foundation is changing the lives of children in Kosovo (and i’m sure everywhere else) who, before, had very little, if not nothing, to look forward to.  The Shropshire Music Foundation gives others a reason to learn and grow, smile, care for others, work hard, practice, heal, and love music.

I hope the support network of the foundation continues to grow, so it is able to reach more children in dire need save on auto repairs of a source of peace in their lives…

-Natalia Alston, Utah, USA

Eve Online Billionaire Isk Guide

BYUH Intern Amber, from Taiwan, Teaching Maori Song from New Zealand to Kosovo Youth Volunteers

A quick note from Liz:

As I’ve written previously, BYU Hawaii (BYUH) has many students from war-affected countries, and whenever I speak there I am asked by multiple students to bring our program to their country.  Through their Peacebuilding Certificate program, I started teaching SMF training both to BYUH students interested in taking the SMF program home to their country when they graduate, and to BYUH students interested in helping establish SMF programs

in these countries.

In January, I was offered the opportunity to have BYUH students come to Kosovo for a 6-week internship.  I selected the students most

dedicated to our program during the 2011/2012 school year.

The next 8 blogs are written by these interns.   I hope you enjoy reading them as much as we’ve enjoyed having these outstanding students in Kosovo this summer.

EBM Girls Demonstrating Their New Motions for Song

I need to apologize for my inconsistent blogging.  I’m often so busy “putting out fires” that I don’t get to do the regular things that I need to be doing.

EBM Kids in Front of Neighborhood Mural

I posted about one of the centers hosting our Northern Ireland “Peace Through Music” program awhile ago and meant to post about the others right away.  So this post will be about one of the other great centers.

EAST BELFAST MISSION (EBM) is a really amazing community organization.  They are Protestant, and have been around for a long time, running programs such as soup kitchens, an alcohol rehabilitation center, women’s groups, youth groups, unemployment programs, counseling, and pretty much anything that their surrounding community needs.  I really love this organization. The minute you step into their building you can see (and feel) how many people are being helped. The neighborhood where they are located has many murals, such as this one.

EBM Volunteer Sandy and Daughter Demonstrate Motions to Song

We started training

sessions with local staff and volunteers in October, and classes with the children in November.  In April we brought together the children from East Belfast Mission (Protestant) with the children from An Droichead (Catholic) and It was a great success.  From the very first class, the children loved being together.

EBM Student Teaching An Droichead Student Harmonica

Because the EBM children had been in classes for a longer time than the An Droichead children, they were more advanced and they all helped teach

the children from An Droichead.  It was amazing to watch, and the children from both centers became great friends that first day.

EBM and SVP Children Together in Drum Class

They also traveled to St. Vincent de Paul (SVP), one of the centers in our program which has very limited funding and no transportation, so that the Catholic children at SVP could participate in cross-community music classes with them.  We sang, played drum, and played harmonica.  It was awesome.

The Most Advanced Harmonica Players in the Concert, All From EBM

The EBM children practiced and became incredibly good on the harmonica as well as singing.  They were leaders in the cross-community classes and the concert.  Before the concert they each filled out a survey about their experience with the music classes and in the survey they all stated that they want to continue the program in the fall and bring friends to join the class.  They also wrote comments such as, “I’ve had so much fun”, “It is so fun I would never want to leave”, “I love the teachers”, “It has changed my life about music”, and “It’s amazing.  I love it!”

EBM Volunteer Daniel Helping Student with Drumming

Over half of the children said that the music program had changed their thoughts and feelings about Catholics.

I really love these kids, as well as the truly amazing adult volunteers who taught with me and without me while gone.

EBM Volunteer Megan Helping Student with Harmonica

These volunteers worked really hard to make this program work for the children, and I am so grateful for them.

Volunteers Daniel, Maud, Tanita and Megan After Concert

I hope we can keep East Belfast Mission involved in the Peace Through Music Northern Ireland program for a long time to come!

Youth Volunteers (In black) and Children (in Blue) Perform "Tony Chestnut"

Our NI concert was a great success!  Not all of the children in our program were able to perform because the concert was held one week after the end of school and many were on holiday with their parents.  But those who were there were amazing, and did a fantastic job.  Catholic and Protestant children who have been together for classes are now friends.  It’s awesome.  These photos are a much better description

of the concert than my words.  On the sides I’ll show a few comments written by children on a survey they filled in before the concert.

Harmonica Players Performing

“Liz, you changed my life.  First I thought harmonica was really boring but then I changed my mind.”

"Popcorn Popping"

“I really enjoyed it.  I can now play music.”

Catholic and Protestant Children Playing Game Before Concert

 

Did the music program change your feelings, thoughts, or ideas about Catholics or Protestants?

“Yes, because I have made best friends!”

 

 

 

 

"Tony Chestnut"

Did the music program change your feelings, thoughts, or ideas about Catholics or Protestants?

 

“Yes, because

cialis canadian pharmacy

they are very nice.”

"Posing" Before the Concert

 

 

 

Did the music program change your feelings, thoughts, or ideas about Catholics or Protestants?

“Yes, because it made me more confident.”  

Awesome N. Ireland Adult and Teenage Volunteers

 

 

 

 

 

“I love the teachers”

 

“I love it and want to do it next time”!

 

 

 

Thank you so much to all of the centers who participated–EAST BELFAST MISSION, AN DROICHEAD, and  ST. VINCENT DE PAUL–and to the wonderful volunteers at each center who attended twice-weekly training with me as well as running classes for the children.  Special thanks to those who traveled to other centers to help the children work on their music.  I love you all and hope you have seen what a difference you have made in these childrens’ lives.