Essential Support
for Refugees
We continue to wholeheartedly support refugees who had to leave their instruments behind in their home countries. Music is important for processing experiences, building confidence, or simply enjoying the pleasure of playing, whether alone or with others.
spread the word
Reaching the refugees is always a unique challenge: they generally aren’t part of the Music Instrument Fund’s network. That is why we rely heavily on intermediaries who act as a bridge to our organization: host families, volunteers, church communities, government officials, COA and GGD staff, music associations, teachers, neighbors, friends, and acquaintances.
We thank these indispensable contacts for their excellent work and would like to encourage more of the same. So please spread the word!
Every day, the media bombards us with a barrage of violence, selfishness, and other unpleasantness. What we can offer in response is modest, but nonetheless infinitely important: personal attention, commitment, and generosity. And that is always connected to a love of music, in whatever form it may take.
For refugees, that can make all the difference.
Nader (23)
Nader is 23 years old and originally from Syria. He has been in the Netherlands for three years, speaks our language flawlessly, and is pursuing a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft. In Syria, he played in a small orchestra that provided musical accompaniment for ceremonial occasions. Now that he has a good trumpet again, he’s looking for other musicians so they can play together just like before. Although he hadn’t played for three years, he produced a very respectable rendition of “God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen”. Under the Christmas tree, after all…
Afiegu (21)
Afiegu is 21 years old and comes from Sierra Leone. After fleeing his country, he fell into the hands of human traffickers before he could make it to the Netherlands. He went through a lot emotionally during that time. Music is very important to him; it brings him joy and helps him get his life back on track. In Sierra Leone, he took piano lessons. When he received the digital piano, he was overjoyed. He’d like to practice a lot so that, eventually, he can also give performances.
Rifat (50)
Rifat is 50 and comes from Pakistan. Because his Christian faith caused him a great deal of hardship in Pakistan, he fled his country. After spending several years in various asylum centers, he now lives in Groningen with his wife and four children. He is overjoyed to have been given a beautiful guitar. He sings, plays very skillfully, and will often be heard performing his own compositions in church.
Alexandra (14)
Alexandra is 14 years old and comes from Hungary. She took cello lessons there for two years, then took a two-year break, but she’s picking it up quickly again now. A dedicated language teacher noticed her desire to make music herself and got in touch with us. When Alexandra was handed the cello, she was completely overwhelmed and couldn’t quite believe that this would be her cello from now on… Her school is providing her with excellent support: she has access to a studio to practice when she runs into problems at home, and an application is pending with the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture to cover the cost of lessons. A truly exemplary school!
Daria (13) & Dmytrii (18)
Two guitars were donated to a school for newcomers in Boxtel. One of them will remain at the school for lessons and group playing, for example, for Daria (13) from the Kharkiv region. She sometimes plays guitar at home with her father, already knows quite a few chords, and would love to play in a band at school. Dmytrii (18) from the Donetsk region is taking the other guitar home. He has been in the Netherlands for a year and a half now. In Ukraine, he played guitar for five years and is now planning to resume his lessons.
"Pass It On" Charity Campaign
Want to learn more about our special emergency relief effort? We could really use your support—whether in the form of an instrument, a monetary donation, or by putting us in touch with organizations and refugees.
Read more