The Boys' Brigade in Sierra Leone has an innovative way of expanding and developing the movement in West Africa.
Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa with approximately six million people and young people make up the majority of the population. The country went through one of the most brutal civil war in history (1991-2002); the BB also shared in this sad history as they lost officers and boys during the war, some of whom were forcibly conscripted as child soldiers. During this time many experienced officers also left the country, leaving a gap in leadership that is still felt in the 5 BB Companies today with a total membership of 200.
Despite this hardship, the seed of the Boys' Brigade is growing - there are 5 Companies with a total membership of 200 and an enthusiastic committee are in the process of reviving 7 Companies that are in abeyance - life in Freetown (the capital) is vibrant. Marching bands are a common sight at the beginning of various processions passing through the streets. Thanksgiving services are held every Sunday for all education institutions in the dry season (November - April) and Christian funerals in the city (a daily occurrence unfortunately) also use marching bands to lead the procession from the church to the cemetery. This is such a fast growing trend that there is a noticeable demand for marching bands.
The Boys' Brigade in Sierra Leone have experience in teaching musical instruments and marching band tunes with equipment that was sent by BB friends before the civil war, but they need our help to start their own national brass band. Already they have received 11 side drums, a tenor, a bass drum and a few brass instruments from kind donors in UK.
This project is not just about creating a band that will earn a stable income for the organisation, enabling it to run training programs for NCOs and officers, and open a national supplies depot, on top of this the band will attract even more children and young people to the Boys' Brigade. A smart band that marches in step and plays well is something the children in Freetown want to be a part of, and through this the BB in Sierra Leone can bring the Good News to more children and young people.
We are collecting used band instruments in the UK and will transport them to their national secretary. Can you help the BB in Sierra Leone take this step towards establishing a strong and self sufficient national organisation? Do you have instruments that are no longer used, or are you replacing them soon? If you do not have instruments, do you know somebody or a company who might be able to help us? Or would you like to make a donation towards the cost of shipping the instruments to West Africa?
Instruments needed: BB flat BASS (1), B flat BASS (1), EE flat BASS (1), E flat BASS (1), B flat EUPHONIUM (2), B flat BARITONE (2), E flat HORN (2), B flat TROMBONE (4), B flat CORNETS (4), E flat SOLO CORNETS (2), B flat TRUMPETS (4). (Silver colour) and a Mace.
Please contact Bill Bates if you can help us with instruments. Email bill@bates.net, Tel 01983 291539. Donations to Global Fellowship, either online www.globalfellowship.net, or send a cheque to Global Fellowship, Felden Lodge, Felden Lane, Hemel Hempstead. HP3 0BL.
Sierra Leone is a small country in West Africa with approximately six million people and young people make up the majority of the population. The country went through one of the most brutal civil war in history (1991-2002); the BB also shared in this sad history as they lost officers and boys during the war, some of whom were forcibly conscripted as child soldiers. During this time many experienced officers also left the country, leaving a gap in leadership that is still felt in the 5 BB Companies today with a total membership of 200.
Despite this hardship, the seed of the Boys' Brigade is growing - there are 5 Companies with a total membership of 200 and an enthusiastic committee are in the process of reviving 7 Companies that are in abeyance - life in Freetown (the capital) is vibrant. Marching bands are a common sight at the beginning of various processions passing through the streets. Thanksgiving services are held every Sunday for all education institutions in the dry season (November - April) and Christian funerals in the city (a daily occurrence unfortunately) also use marching bands to lead the procession from the church to the cemetery. This is such a fast growing trend that there is a noticeable demand for marching bands.
The Boys' Brigade in Sierra Leone have experience in teaching musical instruments and marching band tunes with equipment that was sent by BB friends before the civil war, but they need our help to start their own national brass band. Already they have received 11 side drums, a tenor, a bass drum and a few brass instruments from kind donors in UK.
This project is not just about creating a band that will earn a stable income for the organisation, enabling it to run training programs for NCOs and officers, and open a national supplies depot, on top of this the band will attract even more children and young people to the Boys' Brigade. A smart band that marches in step and plays well is something the children in Freetown want to be a part of, and through this the BB in Sierra Leone can bring the Good News to more children and young people.
We are collecting used band instruments in the UK and will transport them to their national secretary. Can you help the BB in Sierra Leone take this step towards establishing a strong and self sufficient national organisation? Do you have instruments that are no longer used, or are you replacing them soon? If you do not have instruments, do you know somebody or a company who might be able to help us? Or would you like to make a donation towards the cost of shipping the instruments to West Africa?
Instruments needed: BB flat BASS (1), B flat BASS (1), EE flat BASS (1), E flat BASS (1), B flat EUPHONIUM (2), B flat BARITONE (2), E flat HORN (2), B flat TROMBONE (4), B flat CORNETS (4), E flat SOLO CORNETS (2), B flat TRUMPETS (4). (Silver colour) and a Mace.
Please contact Bill Bates if you can help us with instruments. Email bill@bates.net, Tel 01983 291539. Donations to Global Fellowship, either online www.globalfellowship.net, or send a cheque to Global Fellowship, Felden Lodge, Felden Lane, Hemel Hempstead. HP3 0BL.
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