Youth Orchestras of Namibia (YONA) is inspired by the El Sistema movement (a system which has been activating social change through music since 1975).
Youth Orchestras of Namibia (YONA) is a movement with the vision to transform the lives of youth through music. YONA’s mission is to provide an intensive music program that develops a sense of belonging, teaches the importance of teamwork and a strong work ethic, and promotes self-confidence and good citizenship. The overarching principle is to advance children first and music second.
Read MoreIn classes, where all children are welcome, they learn so much more then just to strike the right note.
Since its founding in 1975, Venezuela’s National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs, called “El Sistema” has used music education as a vehicle for social change.
It cultivates an ‘affluence of spirit’ which today brings hope, joy and positive social impact to 400,000 children and their families and communities throughout the country. Its founding principles include a team-based approach to collective, cooperative education characterized by trust, discipline, empathy, commitment, structure, and support for self-esteem.
This unprecedented success has inspired hundreds of similar programs which serve an estimated one million children in at least sixty countries around the world.
Childen aged 8 to 12 of the Los Chorros núcleo in Northern Caracas perform Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9
Venezuela is a country of over 31 million people, with a population density of 33.75/km2. It is the most urbanised country in South America, and there is a large gap between rich and poor people.
Namibia, which has only 2.1 million people, has a population density of only 2.54/km2. Namibia also struggles with poverty, crime and domestic violence, and there is also here is a huge gap between rich and poor. It should therefore follow that Namibia could benefit tremendously by a movement like El Sistema.
Read MorePassionate teachers like Gretel Coetzee give their best to carry their students away
Director: | Gretel Coetzee |
Trustees: | E. Coetzee G. R. Coetzee S. Hanstein S. N. Saayman |
CONTACT:
gretel@yonamibia.org