News / Bristol
Bristol project appeals for instruments for refugees
Refugees facing hardship and heartache in Africa are finding small fragments of strength and hope in music – and a Bristol project is appealing for instruments that could help make a world of difference.
Djibouti is now home to thousands of families forced to flee their own war-ravaged countries for the relative safety of its refugee camps but, with scarce food and few resources, living conditions are unpleasant and desolate.
Amidst the daily struggles, marriages and births are celebrated with musical celebrations despite the fact the camp communities have very few or no instruments at all and often have to improvise with oil drums and household items.
is needed now More than ever
Women enjoying a moment of light relief watching a musical performance at a refugee camp in Africa
Hannah Walker, of Sea Mills is leading the Refugee Sounds campaign, sponsored by singer Joss Stone’s charitable foundation, to collect secondhand and unwanted instruments that will be sent to provide a lifeline of hope and creativity to refugees struggling to survive in the African camps.
Hannah Walker is appealing for people to donate instruments.
“Music has the power to create hope and joy, to tell stories of identity and culture and to bring strength amidst difficulty,” said Walker.
“I was intrigued by the project, it appealed to me because I’m interested in how creativity and music can be a part of people living a quality of life even if they are in really difficult circumstances.
“These refugee camps are harsh places to live, day-to-day life is often very monotonous and difficult with very little opportunity for self-fulfilment. In a small but significant way, these donated instruments will offer opportunities for creativity, self-expression and joy through music in the daily life of refugees.”
The idea was born in early 2017, when Stone visited two refugee camps in Djibouti as part of her world tour and collaborated with young musicians there.
Joss Stone performing in front of young fans in a refugee camp.
In Ali Addeh, a camp of over 15,000 people, there are only two musical instruments. In Markazi refugee camp there are none
Stone described visiting the Markazi camp, which hosts more than 1,400 refugees, many of whom are women and children fleeing from violence.
She saw the desperate need for facilities to help people rebuild their lives that is hindered by a lack of funding and said it was amazing to see the affect of a simple song in putting smiles on the faces of those who are struggling so much.
After asking what can be done to help support people in the camps, Stone received a letter from some of the refugees requesting her help in accessing musical instruments to be used by the community.
It was not possible to get hold of the instruments locally and that is where Walker came in to launch an appeal for help.
Refugees at a camp in Djibouti would love to have instruments of their own.
Walker is collecting donations of instruments up until Friday, May 19, when a container load will be sent to Africa. People can still donate by visiting the Refugee Sounds Facebook page, or emailing refugeesoundsdjibouti@gmail.com.
There is also opportunity to sponsor an instrument and Walker hopes people in Bristol and beyond will help to spread the word so more music can be brought to people in refugee camps.
Read more: Bristol cycle to save refugees
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