Teaching pupils the rhythm of diversity

To mark World Refugee Day 2012, St Benedict’s College’s Safi primary school recently invited two African refugees to visit the school to take part in a ‘Drum circle activity’ to help students appreciate and celebrate cultural diversity with the help of traditional African music.

During the event, the refugees explained how African communities make use of vocal sounds and body movements during songs that mark important events such as childbirth, hunting and marriage.

They also gave students a brief demonstration of musical instruments used in these rituals, such as the ‘djembe’ drum.

The pupils were also given the opportunity to play the drums and sing along to the rhyth.

One could not help but notice the joy on the children’s faces as they took part in this learning activity that highlighted a sense of communal participation.

The activity was also noticed by Safi villagers. As the loud and flamboyant beat of drums broke the silence of this quiet village, some villagers were seen trying to catch a glimpse of the activity from roofs overlooking the school yard.

These refugees were forced to flee their native country to escape dangers that they encountered there. They needed a safe place to recover from mental and physical trauma and rebuild their hopes and dreams for a better future.

This year the school’s development plan is seeking to emphasise the values of care, altruism, solidarity and giving.

The school community is grateful to these African visitors who helped them understand and appreciate such values through their music and life experiences.