EGYPT-STREET CHILDREN Egyptian street children helped by power of music

Record ID: 174360

  • Title: EGYPT-STREET CHILDREN Egyptian street children helped by power of music
  • Date: 31st December 2014
  • Summary: ENTRANCE TO CLASSROOM
  • Embargoed: 15th January 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5TOXTDD5Z0YQKMJIXMM5MIRTO
  • Story Text: Prominent conductor and composer Selim Sahab is using his musical talent to try to transform the lives of disadvantaged children.
    He's created the "Children of Egypt Chorus", made up of street children and young people from charities.
    Sahab says the idea came to him after seeing the suffering of children begging or selling goods in the street.
    "When I would be on the street and see children selling tissues I would say what if that child had the chance to learn? He could have been better than me. He could have become a genius, a doctor or an inventor. Why don't we provide a chance for these children to learn and shine - and show us their talent. It was hurtful for me," he said.
    The group has been steadily improving and even performed a concert at Cairo University.
    But it's been a long journey for Sahab, who had to abandon traditional methods in order to reach out to the children.
    "I abandoned all the academic methods that I was taught because that did not work with them. I started creating my own methods to make them love singing until from 800 students we had 120-130. I started a closed camp for them - six days where every day they would train six or so hours from 10am until 4pm-5pm," he said.
    The disadvantaged children, particularly those living on the street, have a plethora of problems. While they are impoverished and suffer from lack of opportunities, many are also dealing with psychological issues.
    "They were unhappy with themselves and society. They were very depressed and this is why I worked on two fronts; the inner front which includes their psychological state, and the musical front that I taught them. [They'd say] "No I do not want to sing, I do not want to sing." [I'd say] No you will sing and you will love singing until they all loved it and began singing, and sang a concert," he said.
    The music workshops have had a profound impact on some of the students. Ramadan, who used to work on the streets of Cairo until he was scouted by a member of Sahab's team, says he hopes to continue singing.
    "Now, one could really look at himself. It is a really nice thing. I feel deep inside that I will be something nice. I feel that I will sing and make it. I am sure I will sing," he said.
    UNICEF say Egyptian NGO's estimate numbers of street children in the country to be in the tens of thousands. They often live in unhealthy and dangerous conditions deprived of basic needs for security and supervision, leaving them open to exploitation and abuse, UNICEF say on their website.
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