Local youngsters become part Voices Around The World project
Maureen Odubeng | Friday March 27, 2015 14:22
The youngsters, with the help of the Voices Around The World, project director Laurie Lewin, completed their recording on Monday. Lewin said the charitable project, which is in its fourth year, links voices of young people around the world through music. The recordings from different countries form one song, which is released worldwide. Apart from giving children international exposure, the project raises funds, which goes towards assisting children in Africa.
He explained that 42 countries participated in the project last year, which brought the number of participants to 4,000. He said every year they come up with a song, explaining that the theme song for this year is ‘Listen To Us’. The song is quite explanatory in that it suggests that the young ones are pleading with society to listen to them and Voice Around The World participants are serving as the voice of the children. Lewin told Arts & Culture that following the previous recording they had decided to consult children and ask them what they would like featured in this year’s recording. “Most of them said they want their voices to be heard, explaining that most of the times adults do not listen to what they have to say,” he said. Fittingly, lyrics from the song go: “You got to listen to us...We are the voices of the world...”
Lewin who wrote the song, said he decided to feature departed African icon and former South African president Nelson Mandela in the lyrics because people from different walks of life admired him. Lewin also said this year they wanted to involve 6,000 to 8,000 voices in the project, for the song, which will be released in June.
Lewin further said while for the past three years Voices Around The World had not been charging for Internet downloads, this time around they would be charges, adding that it was an initiative hope to raise money which would go towards helping needy schools in Africa. He further said the schools would be assisted based on their needs, be it building extra classrooms, or providing resources necessary for learning. He also said that they are going to release a video, which features all the participants, which they will also sell to raise funds. He added that they have already identified a school in Tanzania, which is going to be one of the five beneficiaries of the funds.
The project is open to school going interested in the initiatives.