It never ends

SWEET DREAMERS MARIMBA PROJECT 2019

The Sweet Dreamers Marimba Band Project is a project where musically gifted students from township communities in South Africa get the opportunity to learn to play the marimba and to play in professionally trained and managed marimba bands. The project was founded by Danmore Kusaya (SA) and Monika Stadelmann (CH) in January 2019. Teachers and coaches of the marimba bands are the members of the band. Besides practicing and performing with the band, the project has a strong belief that playing music – African indigenous music in particular –will give not only creative musical activities after school but also the self-confidence and joy the students need to healthily grow and develop.

In May 2019 the Sweet Dreamers Marimba bands started to play their first concerts. Since then they have performed many concerts at different kinds of venues all around Mpumalanga, SA. It’s amazing what they have already achieved in this short period of time! They get offers to play shows not only from different Game Lodges in Kruger National Park but also from well-known festivals in Mpumalanga. Their facebook fan community is growing every day– but they wouldn’t call themselves Sweet Dreamers, if they didn’t dare to dream about playing internationally in their near future.

Passion never dies It grows.

Empower Education: Join SD Marimba in Zimbabwe

Dear friends,

We have some exciting updates to share with you from Zimbabwe and we would greatly appreciate your support! As many of you already know, the Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project, which originated in South Africa in 2019, has evolved into a self-sustaining and thriving endeavor. Over the past year, we have diligently worked towards relocating the project to our home in Zimbabwe, and in a remarkably short time, we have made significant strides! Your support has been invaluable in this journey.

Originally, we had envisioned collaborating with the school in our rural village of Nyavanhu, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to pivot our plans. However, we were able to secure land and have begun constructing a community building with the funds generously donated through GoFundMe and a grant we successfully applied for. The progress is visible in the pictures below! This community building will feature three rooms – a library and meeting space, an English classroom, and a music classroom. Additionally, there will be a spacious covered patio/stage for performances. Our ultimate goal is to equip it with restrooms, running water, and electricity – a significant advancement for rural Zimbabwe!

While the community building is under construction, the Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project Zimbabwe is already in full swing. An English teacher is currently instructing groups of children, ranging from 6 to 18 years old, using the books and resources generously donated by many of you. The students are being taught after school hours, under the shade of a tree in the teacher’s backyard. Meanwhile, my younger brother Tendayi is teaching marimba, singing, and traditional dances to another group of students in my mother’s yard. The impact of this initiative on the children and the community is already evident, and the parents are thrilled about the potential it holds for their children’s future.

We are reaching out to request donations to help us complete the community building, procure furniture and teaching supplies, and ensure the sustainability of the program in the long run. Your contributions will be instrumental in creating a nurturing and self-sustaining learning environment for these children. Here are the items still needed and their estimated costs:

– 5 White Boards, markers, and erasers = $300

– 6 Doors = $300

– 7 Windows = $170

– Water tank = $4,500

– Sinks and toilets = $400

– Electrical wiring = $400

– Tables/chairs/bookshelves = $1000

Total initial investment = $7,070

The dedicated teachers involved in the project are currently volunteering their time, but we aim to improve their working conditions and eventually provide them with a stipend through donations. Your support in making the Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project Zimbabwe a reality is crucial. Together, we can offer these children transformative opportunities for learning and growth through music and education, fostering a brighter future for both them and their community.

I invite you to visit our GoFundMe page and consider contributing to our cause in Zimbabwe. Your donation, regardless of its size, will have a meaningful impact. Furthermore, we would greatly appreciate it if you could help us spread the word by sharing our campaign with your networks. I am deeply grateful for the support we have received so far, and I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and positive outcomes of this project. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.

Warmest regards,

DONATE NOW

The Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project in Zimbabwe has made significant progress in constructing a community building to support education and music programs for children in rural areas. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our generous donors for their support. Additional donations are still needed to complete the building, procure supplies, and ensure the sustainability of the program. Your contribution can have a significant impact. To support the cause and help spread the word, please visit the GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/681c82bc. Together, we can create a brighter future for these children.

PROJECT UPDATES AND REPORTS

English learning program NPC

English Learning Center_Marimba Sweet Dreamers

Annual report_Sweet Dreamers Marimba Project

Sweet Dreamers 2019

Sweet Dreamers Marimba Band Project_Deutsch

Report 2023_Sweet Dreamers Marimba Band Project