Samince says, "I love this marching band!"
"Come quickly," says Tsamani, a marching band coach that is contracted by World Vision Indonesia's Eruwok programme area to teach children in Tiom, Papua.
A group of children immediately rush toward the source of the voice in the yard. A small teenager tries to run ahead of her peers.
The energetic girl is Samince. She is first child of two siblings who studies at the eight grade of junior high school 1 in Tiom. Quickly, Samince takes a musical instrument called a belyra.
That day Samince and other members of Lanny Jaya marching band perform to show their skills to public. Their performance is aimed to raise awareness about the danger of HIV & AIDS. A group of students follows this marching band along the main street in Lany Jaya.
"I am delighted to be able to practice with my friends. I love this marching band," says Samince.
"The coach is good man. Although sometimes he yells at us, we know it is for our good," she adds.
"This kid has shown pretty good progress," Tsamani smiles, commenting on Samince.
"Of all groups where we've coached, this group is where I found the most formidable challenge," Tsamani adds. Before Tsamani trained the children, they had never studied music before. They had to learn the basics of music before they could begin to play an instrument.
"Let's march!" shouts Novianto, another coach. The children, including Samince, immediately form a neat line. The coach then gives the signal with his hand. In a short time two songs were heard blaring through the silence. The marching band members will also move toward the market in Tiom and head of government offices.
"I'm a little nervous, but we believe we can," Samince says with a smile before she and other marching band team members perform in front of the District Head.
The campaign went well that day. A representative of District Head welcomed all participants in the campaign. The children performance touched people's hearts. Those children, who were not familiar with music, can now march and play to the enjoyment of their community.
*written by Willy Rahmat Sitompul, former Manager Wahana Visi Indonesia at Eruwok operational office
