Sigma Alpha Iota

People-to-people Project Assists Tanzania Students of SAIs W hen SAI sisters Maria Del Valle (Delta Gamma, University of Florida, Bachelor of Music Education, 2011) and Christine Cumming (Eta Lambda, Centenary College of Louisiana) accepted offers to teach music in Tanzania, they knew that they would have the opportunity to make positive changes in the lives of hundreds of students. They also knew that most of the materials they wanted to use would have to be brought with them from the United States. Both sisters turned to the SAI People-to-People Project for assistance. During their collegiate years, both Christine and Maria spearheaded efforts to raise funds and collect instruments for the People-to-People Project. Christine and her Eta Lambda sisters held benefit concerts to raise funds donated to the project while Maria's Delta Gamma sisters collected instruments for the project that were delivered to Haiti. Prior to their respective departures, each submitted requests for instruments, methods books, and music. People-to-People was able to fulfill most of their requests thanks to the continued generosity of our fraternity members and friends. Maria has been in Arusha, Tanzania, since August 2011. Her two-year appointment will allow her to build a strong program at St. Constantine's International School. Christine has been in Morogoro since early January 2012, teaching English and music at Wesley Primary School, supported by the General Board of Global Ministries. She has just started having the students work with the recorders. "It is slow going because they are still trying to grasp the concept of the quarter note and the quarter rest, so we have to spend a lot of time stopping and starting. But, they LOVE it!!," Christine said. The students beg for her to teach music class each day. Class 7, which is her smallest class, has 11 students, so each has his own recorder; they have to share books. There are 28 students in Class 6 who are also learning recorder. In that class, the students must share recorders with a partner and the books with a group of 4. However, they are doing a great job taking turns, and Christine makes sure each student gets equal playing time. She is hoping to start her largest class of 30 students, Class 5, on learning the recorder in the near future. We are proud that the People-to-People Project is able to assist our sisters and wish them great success as they pursue their exciting work in Tanzania. Supporting Music 2P Around the Globe P PE OP LE -P -TO T EO PL E he People-to-People project assists Albert Hunt, International Coordinator of Sinfonía por la Vida, in acquiring music, instruments, and accessories for students in Ecuador. Don't Delay, Donate Today! Giving the Gift of Music Around the World An SAI Philanthropies, Inc. Project www.sai-national.org Eta Lambda initiate Christine Cumming's students in Tanzania have recorders provided through People-to-People. sai-national.org WINTER 2012 PAN PIPES 5

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