I Am Music Festival: A pre-festival in Yaoundé that amplifies children’s rights
On January 31, more than 600 children energized Melen Public School, offering an artistic showcase for children’s rights and strengthening cohesion among Yaoundé’s music groups.
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Saturdays at Melen Public School are usually quiet, accompanied by the soothing sounds of birdsong. Occasionally, the nearby military academy orchestra plays patriotic music, adding a distinct touch to the atmosphere.
On this particular Saturday, over 600 children from three music groups in Yaoundé filled the air with artistic expression and a sense of camaraderie. Together, they echoed the vibrant spirit of their rights.
The public school was transformed into an artistic journey with several stops: theatre for experiencing and sharing one's rights; drawing to capture dreams on a wall; dance to free the body and mind from limitations; and finally, a grand stage where the rights of the child were expressed through voice and movement.
On the "Wall of Dreams," little hands drew their favourite musical instruments side by side, illustrating their experiences in the I Am Music program.
« I drew a flower and a piano. At the Melen Music nutshell, I am learning to sing and perform slam poetry. I learnt that children have rights and a voice to express themselves. Thanks to music and slam, I am learning to express my feelings and say what I think and want,» reveals Flora.
« At the music hub, I learnt that music is not just entertainment, but also a passion, a commitment and a determination,» confides Nathalie.
In an alleyway behind the school, whispers and laughter can be heard. It's the theatre workshop. The pupils sit in a circle and learn to tell, experience and bring to life a story. One exercise involves simulating the morning routine before going to school. Another, more challenging exercise involves passing on a message by word of mouth without altering it, so that the last player receives the initial message. This requires concentration and accuracy.
"Here, at the theatre workshop, I learnt to command an audience. I learnt how to perform in front of an audience. I have learned that among the values a child should have are humility and gratitude,"confides Pharell, a member of the CMPJ de Madagascar music group.
In this artistic journey bursting with life, dance adds spice to a day that is well underway. Lining up behind Lauriande, the choreographer for the day, the children learn to coordinate their dance steps and follow the rhythm. The exercise requires concentration and discipline.
"The first time I was asked to be a choreographer, I noticed that children have a lot of energy, and today I see that they are very committed to what they do. In the Je suis musique programme, I see that children take what we teach them seriously and consider art as a career opportunity."
Living together at the heart of the pre-festival
This pre-festival represented a huge challenge for David K, Myname, Valentin and Serge Vianney, the musicians and teachers of the Je suis musique programme, and for Carmen, the programme coordinator. They had to create harmony between the three music groups: the music group from the Melen public school, the Multifunctional Centre for Youth Promotion and the Bilingual Application High School.
"With the Je suis musique project, it's always a new experience, and we're always ready to take on challenges," says David K.
"We had to coordinate each group, while keeping in mind that we had to create harmony. The goal was to create links between the different music groups around an event," adds My Name.
The goal was achieved. Naomi from the CMPJ Madagascar music group is delighted to have met the children from the other music groups:
"I like it, it makes me happy because I feel like I'm with my brothers. The Je suis musique programme has taught me to live together and to accept others regardless of their origins or differences. This festival is a continuation of the training in our music groups. We learn to fight against tribalism and to live together," said Anne Darelle.
"I found a refuge, I found friends. I found a place where I can dream, relax, discover myself and learn."
The concert on the esplanade of the Melen public school showcased the transformation of the children through the Je suis musique programme. On stage, Divine from the CMPJ Madagascar music group, Brahim from the Melen public school music group and Stéphane from the Lycée Bilingue d'Application music group, three gems, presented the concert with ease and eloquence. The clarity and precision of their speeches moved the many parents who had come to watch.
"I would like to thank UNICEF for this initiative. It gives our children the opportunity to express their talents. Personally, I really like what my son is becoming. He has become more articulate. He regularly practises rhyming. I have noticed that he is learning to express his emotions through slam poetry. It has awakened his mind. I will make sure that he continues to grow in this direction," said Vanina Onana, the mother of Brahim, one of the young masters of ceremony, with joy.
For some parents, this pre-festival was an opportunity to discover their children's talents.
"My daughter used to be very shy. She didn't talk much. In fact, I was surprised to learn that she had joined the Je suis musique programme. Today, I feel she has blossomed. She has made friends. I'm really happy about that. This programme allows children to flourish and celebrate life. They are young. They are free. It's good for my daughter to grow up with this kind of experience. It gives her a broader view of life and helps her understand that there is more to life than just studying. I am very happy," said Hermann Pokam, one of the parents who came to attend the festival.
UNICEF representative Nadine Perrault urged parents to support their children. Among them, three young girls expressed their gratitude to her.
"I used to be a shy person. I didn't interact with people. Since joining this music group, I've learned to speak in front of people and do slam poetry. Thanks to the outings organised by the programme, I've discovered some incredible places. My parents are poor, and thanks to Je suis musique, I've gone back to school," says Anne Darelle from the CMPJ music group in Madagascar.
Alamba Djemba Njie, a member of the music group at the Government High School of Application in Yaoundé, expressed his gratitude to the Representative and the I am Music programme for enabling him to pay his application fees for the GCE A Level school examination.
"I am very grateful for all the gifts and precious moments that music has given me. Today, I am a brave and courageous young woman, able to sing and express myself without fear in front of others," she revealed.
Finally, Claire, who joined Je suis musique 18 months ago, has found a safe place where she feels loved and appreciated.
"I have found a refuge, I have found friends. I have found a place where I can dream, relax, discover myself and learn," she said.
For the musicians and teachers of the Je suis musique programme, this pre-festival is a decisive step towards a grand event.
"Our joy is complete and perfect because we saw the children having fun, we saw them smiling. This experience was a dream, and today it is a reality, and we can only be proud. We know that with future editions, we will have more material and more things to show," concludes Vianney, artist and music teacher at I am Music.
