Sarju Walks to School

by Whitney Kroenke

If a day came when you weren’t able to listen, learn or play, how much would you sacrifice to have music in your life?

For Sarju, a young boy in Nepal, a two-hour walk to music class across the rural mountains is a happy journey he makes each week. He is among 20 children who participate in classes through a program funded by gifts to the Playing For Change Foundation.

Sarju embraces every opportunity to learn. Most members of his caste, called the Dalit, are not allowed to go to schools of any kind. After taking drum lessons for three years he is among the best musicians in his village. Although the Dalit are not allowed to drink water from the same places as those of higher castes, music class is a place where there is no division and kids from all groups learn together.

Sarju, in the center of the photo, walks to music class with friends Prakash (L) and Dheeraj (R).

The children of the Udayapur Music Program in Nepal.

When we bring music into the lives of young people we have no idea how deeply they will be impacted—as individuals and in their relationships with others.

That’s the magic and the mystery of it.

What distance would you travel to have music in your life?

Can you please give today so that we can continue providing music for these amazing kids? With your help, we hope to raise $15,000 to fund three music programs in Nepal for a full year. If we raise more we can buy additional instruments and expand classes to include other children who are eager to participate.

On behalf of the Playing For Change Foundation family, thank you for believing in the power of music to change our world for the good. Happy holidays!

One Love,

Whitney Kroenke

Executive Director, Playing For Change Foundation