Gibson Foundation Supports Music Basti
“Music Basti” is a music education and awareness program that was launched in 2008, working with street children in New Delhi. The current phase of the program at present constitutes activities in three areas of Delhi with a total of over two hundred ‘street’ children, who are in the process of rehabilitation. These children are a part of the “Dil Se” Campaign, Aman Biradari, to uphold the dignity and rights of the urban poor, especially children who live and work on the streets.
The content of the program is developed through partnering with children in a child- centered and enjoyable atmosphere. The process is through a continuous music education-workshops series conducted by trained musicians and volunteers, with a focus on using music as a tool for positive child development, to promote self- identity and self- esteem in values and attitudes conducive to the promotion of their human rights. Through music instruction and musical exposure programs, skill building in music performance and appreciation is encouraged amongst the children, which is beneficial for them in the classroom and outside. Music has proven to provide many more benefits to children and adults than simple entertainment. Music Basti is youth led and managed volunteer program, creating partnerships with different institutions, organizations, artistes, musicians, bands and volunteers, training them understanding the importance of human rights, and promotion of awareness about child rights, using music a tool.
In support of this initiative to promote human rights awareness amongst youth and children- at risk through music, the Gibson Foundation has donated two Epiphone DR 100 Dreadnaughts and one Epiphone EL 00 towards the music education program of Music Basti. This will provide the children who are a part of the program access to excellent instruments to further their musical skills and independence.
Faith Gonsalves, Founder and Program Officer of Music Basti stated, “The vision for Music Basti is a movement and change in the attitudes of youth and the music community towards understanding their cities and communities better. Music Basti’s program deals with music but also with training people on understanding “street” children, sensitizing them to development issues related to at-risk children, and creating safe spaces for children with limited access to opportunities to express themselves and to grow. Music is a tool that is critical for child development, and an excellent means to promote awareness about the rights of children. The program attempts to collaborate with artistes, organizations and musical institutions, in order to fully promote the message of empowerment for street children and the youth to make a difference in their communities.”
About Music Basti
Music Basti is a part of the activities of Integrated Development Education Association (IDEA), an all India agency based in Delhi. It aims at generating access to information and social awareness concerning the issue of child rights mainly through music.
Music Basti has worked directly with over 200 children and over 300 volunteers so far, and reached out to over 20,000 people in Delhi and outside, through its music program with volunteers and children, short films, concert- performances and online social media.
It is supported by organizations including The YP Foundation, Bridge Music Academy, EFICOR, Aman Biradari, Furtados Music India and JCT Electronics; and has collaborated with organizations including CRY, iCONGO and American Center, amongst others.
About Gibson Guitar:
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer.
About Gibson Foundation:
Founded in 2002, the Gibson Foundation is committed to making the world a better place for children by creating, developing and supporting programs and other non-profit organizations in their efforts to advance education, music and the arts, the environment and health & welfare causes.
Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Gibson’s HD.6X-PRO Digital Guitar and the Gibson Robot Guitar represent the biggest advances in electric guitar design in over 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and headquartered in Nashville since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.’s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, Baldwin, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer.