Of all the projects I’ve been a part of, being in an all-girl band was one of the best and most important. Stickerbook started out as a joke and quickly became a for-real band with gigs and roadie boyfriends and everything. We had the good and the bad of being in a band — the fights, the fans, everything short of the heroin/sex addiction. But we made music together, and as fruity and bullshitty as it sounds it was bonding and empowering as shit. We ended up getting busy with life and getting married and other things, and now we haven’t played together in over a year — but I’d still throw a punch for any of those girls.
Music is magic, ya’ll.
One of my former bandmates has now started a program to help African girls in Rwanda start a musical group — a dance group. She’s working with a non-profit in Rwanda called Ubushobozi Project:
As most of you probably already know, I’m working with a non-profit in Rwanda called Ubushobozi Project.
The girls of Ubushobozi have expressed serious interest in starting their own Intore Dance Troupe. Intore is the traditional dance of Rwanda. It involves singing, dancing and drumming and it has HUGE cultural significance in Rwanda. It’s beautiful to watch.
To do this, they will need a professional Intore coach and some instruments to start with (mostly bells for the feet/ankles and a drum or two).
They have already completed an interview with a man who runs an Intore dance program and he found the girls to be extremely serious about this (and very good dancers).
He suggested to us that we put them on a 6mos training program and at the end of the 6mos we evaluate their dedication to continue. If they’re doing well, we will then invest in the traditional costumes, wigs and other necessary props.
These girls never ask us for anything so for them to do so really tells us that this is something they want.
An extra-curricular activity like this will increase the already incredibly strong bond they share and give them another opportunity to make some extra money. Good Intore dance troupes are in demand in Rwanda.
I’m hoping you all can help us fund this project. We estimate we’ll need about $350USD for the first six months.
If you want to help Betsy and the girls of Rwanda get their drums and start their group — you can donate using the link below. It’s only $10 to make someone’s dream come true. Straight up dope.
That is fantastic! Thanks for reposting