Music Program
Building Confidence and Self-esteem through Music
Creating a place for kids living in poverty to be mentored, to share their love of music, and create long lasting friendships
As a donor you will help to provide weekly music lessons to poor Vietnamese youth. Each student receives a violin, cello, or guitar and takes lessons after school 2-3 days a week. Our string program follows a modified Suzuki method and the students come together to play as a string ensemble and in groups, which helps to build support and community among the students no matter their age.
During the summers, the students are also taught by visiting volunteer musicians from different countries, and we hold a small local concert for parents and neighbors, the students also perform throughout the year at local schools and at Christmas at a local resort. The students not only learn music from the volunteers, but conversational English. This opportunity to learn and speak with native English speakers also enhances our students in their studies, and knowing that they have this opportunity each year, inspires them to practice and study.
Along with providing music lessons, Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund has made it a priority to support our most disadvantaged students in the pursuit of their education. From buying schoolbooks to paying school and college tuition.
The Beginning
In 2011 my family moved to Vietnam for 8 months after the death of my husband. We lived in Cam Duc, a village in the province of Khanh Hoa, volunteering for another non-profit. While there, Sophie my oldest daughter played her violin at a performance one night at a local children's home, and a young man came up to her afterwards and asked if she could teach him to play the violin. For eight months, Sophie taught him to play. Many local children asked to learn as well, and by the time we returned to the U.S. we had purchased ten violins thanks to a donation from a family friend to start a small music program.
Please consider supporting our music program by making a donation. Even the smallest amount is a great help.
Thank You!
Photos by Wesley LaPointe-Summer Volunteer