Welcome!
2012 was a busy year for Motherland Rhythm Community Programs. Some of our activities have included: Free Monthly Community Drum Circle Jams; Drum workshops and presentations for Schools at all levels, After School Drumming Programs; Meetings with High School Amnesty Clubs; Cultural Presentations at parks, schools and community centers. We have also provided numerous scholarships to various individuals for workshops and classes.
Be sure to mark your calendar for our upcoming event!
Saturday April 20, 6:30pm (Round Lake Beach, IL)
Spring Benkadi Benefit
An Evening of West African Music
No Cover Charge/Donations Accepted
This benefit is specifically for our "Senuyaa" Initiative.
(Senuyaa means Purify in the Malinke language)
We will be making biosand water filters for families, schools and clinics this May.
Thank you to Jesus Ayala and Matt Cunliffe (who was our intern project manager last year). Jesus and Matt won the Projects for Peace Grant at Lake Forest College offered by the Davis Foundation. This grant will help us continue our work on the biosand water filters!
Information/details contact Helen at 847-543-0708 or helen@MedusadaDrums.com
Our Benkadi Project continues to support communities in Guinea, West Africa. Highlights from this year include; installation of a solar panel in a suburban community outside of Conakry; paying for medical services; and ongoing construction of a youth center.
Be sure to read one of our past Benkadi Project Newsletters for more information on our work over the past 10 years.
Thank You So Very Much...
to all of our supporters. If you would like to join our community, contact Helen Bond at helen@MedusaDrums.com 847-543-0708. Donations payable to “Motherland Rhythm Community” are most appreciated.
"...I've had a lot of fun learning the West African Music, but more importantly, I've learned a lot about the culture of West Africa. I am a retired school teacher who always emphasized to my students the value of learning about what life is like in other parts of the world.....I have read any number of books about other nations, but there is no substitute for direct contact with someone from a different culture."
Marilyn Gruber
Round Lake Beach, IL
"Helen is a very open, intelligent, and generous person. She believes in making the world a better place and she is doing it a little step at a time. ........Her motivation for all this is not personal gain ...... it is in her nature to believe that we all need each other in order to make this world a better place for all in which to live."
Maria Manterola
Teacher
College of Lake County
Grayslake, IL
"I think that Fode's comments sent a very powerful message about the importance of education and embracing other cultures. Many of these children (and adults) had never heard the traditional rhythms of West Africa's Guinea, let alone met anyone from Africa. The two of you definitely got our audience's attention with the drumming and the sharing of instruments."
Claudia Freeman
Superintendent of Cultural Arts
Jack Benny Center for the Arts
Waukegan Park District, Waukegan, IL
"Awesome!!! It's so amazing to see people of all ages, abilities and disabilities with families and alone arriving for these events. Some with their instruments and others with none. Many have never done anything like this before. It's great to see all of these people coming together and having fun as a group!!!"
Monica Marr
Round Lake Beach Cultural & Civic Center
Round Lake Beach, IL
"...Your contribution to this youth leadership program has been a valuable experience. The group has not stopped talking about your skills and the educational information you shared. In addition to the instructional component of the workshop, you raised everyone’s consciousness regarding global oppression and economic disadvantages. The youth were mesmerized by Fodé’s drumming and his kind gentle spirit."
Jane Hunter
Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center
Gurnee, IL
"Helen has an amazing ability to work with all ages of kids and to reach them at their own level. The students are all engaged in the traditional West African music that she teaches. At first the students come in and they are a little apprehensive of playing the drums. Helen puts them at ease immediately and the students are playing and enjoying the music within minutes.......The students learn how to express themselves with the drum, work together as a unit to make music, listen and follow directions. Most of these students do not have any musical training and Helen is able to bring them together and make beautiful music."
Katy Fields
Prairie Crossing Charter School Teacher
Grayslake, IL
