Our Approach
We connect with local musicians, therapeutic music practitioners, music therapists, whether they are certified or self-identified, community leaders, caregivers, and families in East Africa within any community entity that utilizes music and musicing for a therapeutic means or for psychological, psychosocial, and wellness-related objectives.
Our primary goal is to first observe and participate in existing therapeutic musicing practices. We then offer our own musical and therapeutic contributions through exchange and collaboration. The end goal is to create sustainable partnerships and strategic plans to further support the therapeutic musicing services so they may further serve the community.
We facilitate music therapy or therapeutic musicing workshops and intercultural exchanges in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania built on music engagement that addresses therapeutic goals. Our interactions include:
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Connecting with local musicians, healers, and caregivers and engaging with their current use of therapeutic music.
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Sharing our own songs, interventions, ideas, and resources informed by accreditation systems like the American Music Therapy Association.
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Strategizing and brainstorming ways to further support communities in further prioritizing and building their therapeutic music programs through ongoing partnership.
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Prioritizing the ongoing practice of cultural humility, self-awareness, and intercultural learning within this sharing.
Our Outreach
Umoja Has Conducted Educational Workshops Focused on the Following Populations:
Music Therapy in Medical Settings
Trauma-Informed Music Therapy
Music Therapy for Special Needs
In early 2020, Umoja Global connected with Leo Project to design ongoing music therapy programs for school children in Nanyuki, Kenya.
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Since February, 2021 our Kenyan music therapist representative Cjeys visits the Nanyuki community once monthly to conduct music therapy sessions centered on emotional and artistic expression, self-care, wellness, social cohesion, and unity.