What did you do for your Gold Award project?
Realizing that many primary schools in Kenya lack sufficient resources for music education, I took action. Partnering with SCOPE International, I connected with teachers at four schools in Kenya who agreed to teach the primary school kids the recorder. After extensive research, I bought and shipped 60 recorders, 15 to each school, in addition to recorder books. When I visited Kenya nine months later, I went to the four schools and evaluated the success of the recorder programs at each school. My hope to spark passion for music into the lives of the children in Kenya was achieved, and I created a website and spoke to my high school choir in hopes of instilling further passion to help abroad into the hearts of my peers and the local community. By bringing a taste of American music education into the lives of the Kenyans, and bringing evidence of the progress and passion in the Kenyans, I connected cultures and helped improve standards and awareness for worldwide primary music education.
How did you measure the impact your Gold Award project made on your target audience?
I measured the impact my Gold Award project made on my target audience by first figuring out my target audience, which was at least three schools in Kenya, and American children. I measured how the recorders made an impact on the four schools in Kenya because I measured how many students learned how to play the recorder, which was 60 in total. In order to measure the impact on my target audience in America, I took note of the statistics regarding how many people look at my website.
How is your project sustainable? How will your project continue to impact after your involvement?
All 60 recorders are currently in use and accounted for, as are the recorder curriculums. Having visited each of the four schools that received the curriculum, I was able to connect with the teachers and receive verbal and written agreement to continue the recorder program with children in years to come. Additionally for the American audience and supporters, I created a website and online curriculum educating people on the importance of music education, and the startling realities that the world does not share the same luxury of a strong music education system like we have in America. My website contains a link which directs the patron to the SCOPE International website, where they can donate to the organization. My contacts at SCOPE have agreed to use those donations to further the recorder program in other schools. Don Howard is currently in Africa and getting letters of commitment from the heads of the schools with the recorders. Also, Professor On’gesa and I are currently making plans to organize a team for the remake of the talent show in 2020, so I will again be delegating with the SCOPE coordinators in Kenya to put that on, despite my inability to be at the actual talent show.
What is your project’s global and/or national connection?
The project dealt with problems both locally and globally. The reality of the situation is that it is a global issue. It is not just Kenya that suffers from a lack of music education, which is what my project aimed to help reverse. By sending recorders to Kenya and giving students access to instruments, I was able to bring that success back to American kids and adults to prove that everyone has the power to promote music education globally. The website curriculum I created also promotes music education advancement globally. I was able to connect personally with my school’s top two choirs, Shades of Blue and Concert Choir, and teach them the importance of utilizing the musical talents and resources they’ve been given in order to advocate for others who do not have the same. The local issue of people needing to be aware about the need abroad, and the global issue of people needing musical resources are connected and feed off of each other.
What did you learn about yourself?
From this project, I learned that music education is a luxury we take for granted in the United States, and that it is up to every individual to fuel passion in others. I learned the importance of expanding my circle, employing others’ help when need-be, and using my voice to speak for others. I was challenged to reach out to diplomats and volunteers outside of my circle, and outside of the country, in order to put my project into actions. I learned how to ship internationally, and I had to learn patience when it came to shipping. After learning to wait and give others the opportunity to complete their assigned task, but I also checked up on my delegates to ensure the completion of the task. Finally, I realized the significance of my voice in America telling others about the realities in Kenya and possibilities we have to change lives.
How will earning your Gold Award impact you in the future?
Earning my Gold Award will impact me in the future because it has provided me with great opportunities to network and learn how to delegate. It has increased my passion for spreading awareness for music education worldwide, and I hope to impact other people to action in the future. Being a Gold Award Girl Scout will allow me to join the community of other Gold Award Girl Scouts, and I am hopeful that being a Gold Award Girl Scout will provide me with opportunities for employment in areas that I’m passionate about.
Why do you feel the Gold Award was an important part of your Girl Scout experience?
The Gold Award was an important part of my Girl Scout experience because it allowed me to take the last 13 years of the values that Girl Scouts has taught me and implement them into a project that would impact someone else. The Gold Award is special to me because I was completely in charge of the direction of the project – the Bronze and Silver were also significant, but it meant a lot to me that I led the project. It was so amazing to be able to take my passion for music and share it with other people, impacting a community outside of just my state.
How did earning your Gold Award help you become a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader)?
Earning my Gold Award helped me become a go-getter because I had to learn the difference between delegating and needing to take initiative. My project took place partially in America and partially in Kenya, so I had to be on top of my game regarding communication between the countries. In addition to just completing the project, I had to be a go-getter so I could fund a trip to Kenya and see my project’s progress. All in all, the project’s success depended on my motivation and passion towards music and helping others. I had to want it to get it.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog represents only a small fraction of the hard work, dedication, and requirements that go into earning a Girl Scout Gold Award. It is simply a brief summary, which is meant to inspire Girl Scouts to Go Gold in the future. For more information on earning your Gold Award, please email highestawards@gscolorado.org.