it is always a great thing to remember your roots where your story started from. most people forget mostly when they catch up with fame and think its always the best option to make the world think they were born from the high degrees that they later found themselves in.
We thought this would be a nice way to introduce our Living Music Foundation staff! If you’re thinking of volunteering with us then Patience might just be your new best friend…
Patience (L) with Jean (R)
Introduce yourself!
I am Nyamwija Patience. I recently graduated with a BA in Education. I have 3 siblings and both parents, who live back in the village. I love to sing and I live with Babrah (another LMF staff member). We cook dinner together every night!
Tell us about your role with the Living Music Foundation and what inspired you to get involved.
I am a Vocalist and Vocal Trainer. I love singing, and sharing this with other people is an incredible gift. I think it is great to teach what I know to other people so they too can be uplifted through music. Through training music I have also been able to make many new friends. I first got involved with music when I was in school and needed a way to pay school fees, so I used money from band performances!
What is the mission of the Living Music Foundation in your words?
It is here to transform the lives of other people through music and music training. We make music lessons accessible to those who need it, and share positive empowering messages through our song!
Why do you think people should learn music?
Firstly to gain skills in music, to handle your vocals. I used to think I could sing before Disan trained me and taught me how to really use my voice!
For me, whenever I sing something I love, I have no stress. It brings happiness to my life. When I am singing I am not worrying about anything.
Music is also a way for to gain exposure, where you can create a space to share positive messages with the world.
The sense of belonging to a group, to a community is a huge positive to learning music. The musical community is a powerful one. It has taken care of all of us LMF staff at one point or another. To know other local bands, other kids with guitars or music skills, you know you have a connection, a friendship.
What do you wish people knew about Uganda?
We are so hospitable. We will always give you shelter, something to eat and hang out with you. We love to spend time with new people.
We have fresh air, and green landscapes, food grows year round and is always healthy! I don’t think people know this.
Who is your hero?
Troy Peden (founder of GoAbroad.com). He supported me through university and changed my life. Troy and Elsa came to meet the band in 2016, and they decided to create the Living Music Foundation on this trip.
The LMF Team with Elsa and Troy of Go Abroad Foundation
What makes you laugh the most?
Watching my friends dancing is when I am always laughing and smiling… We have fun together
What would be your perfect day?
I am a Christian and also love adventure. I would LOVE to wake up in Israel, and explore all the incredible history and the culture. My perfect day would be to spend a day exploring all the holy sites. To see where Jesus was born, all of these sites.
What would be your perfect meal?
I have actually never tasted Pizza! If I could try pizza that would be so great it looks like people enjoy it so much.
If you could have lunch with ANYONE in the world who would it be?
My mother. She is everything to me. She loves me so much and I couldn’t choose anyone over her. She has worked so hard to keep me and my siblings in school. I will always choose her.
If you were an animal what would you be?
A cow…. They are calm and healthy. They produce good things that sustain life.
Thanks for reading our quick fire interview with Patience!
Volunteers often find themselves surprised by the costs of a volunteer program as they generally need to cover the costs of transport, accommodation, food, and contribute towards the administrative costs for the organisation.
This may seem daunting, but don’t worry! This money doesn’t need to come straight from your pocket!
You are about to embark on a life-changing trip, for you and for the communities you want to work with.
There are lots of ways to raise money towards such a mission, leaving you able to enjoy the experience and make a positive difference!
Volunteering abroad can be expensive
How Do I Fundraise To Volunteer Abroad?
Here are our 9 top ideas:
1.Define Your Motivations
The first thing you need to do is define your your reasons for volunteering. Is it a passionate desire to help those less fortunate? Do you have statistics and facts that explain the issue you are going to be working for. For example on our program you may explore the school drop out rate in Uganda, or impacts of music on youth development. Having that passion and defined reasoning will be helpful when asking for donations!
2. FundMyTravel.com
Or any crowdfunding site. Fund My Travel is specifically for travelers looking to fund a trip! It is really simple to set up your campaign page which you can share directly to any online platform.
They also have fun extras such as Donor Rewards. These are promises to people who donate certain amounts. For Example: 10$ – I will send you a postcard, $20 – I will cook you dinner, $25- I will make you a bracelet with your chosen flag. It can be anything!
3. Use your human connections
Fundraising doesn’t need to mean standing in the cold with a bucket for hours.
Chances are, you know some humans in this world.
Your friend who works in a bar could put a fundraising jar there for customers to put their change in, or let you host a pub quiz where the proceeds go towards your trip!
Does your aunt work for a large corporation that would sponsor you? (Great for their social media). Or maybe someone works in an office where you could hold a lunchtime bakesale!
Sell tea and coffee at your little brothers Saturday football games.
Make a list of all your connections to see how they could help you fundraise towards your goal!
4. Social Media
Simply sharing your story and crowdfunding page link to your social media, family and friends is a very effective way to get donations!
Write about the work you will be doing and why it is important
Use statistics and facts that relate to your volunteer work when posting on social media, and post regularly.
Ask your following to share your posts, so that people who don’t know you personally can donate too!
Share your link in relevant groups; such as a facebook fangroup dedicated to your favourite singer, maybe people will support a fellow Directioner/Beyhiver/Little Monster….
5. Utilise YOur local community
Are you part of a faith group, such as a church or mosque? These are very effective groups to tap into for donations towards your volunteering trip.
Talk to local schools, especially your old school…
You can give a talk in an assembly about your volunteering mission! Not only would this inspire the younger generation to get into volunteer work, they can fundraise for you.
Suggest a ‘no uniform’ day– where each student donates $1 on that day in exchange to not wear uniform >>> This could raise a huge amount towards your trip!
Most schools also have monthly or weekly newsletters, you can ask to put your story and a link to your crowdfunding page!
Think about other ways to use the local community, such as any groups you are a part of, local newspapers…
Your local community can help you raise money to volunteer abroad.
6. Do Something Crazy! for money!
You can get really creative here! Sign up to run a marathon, cycle from Edinburgh to London, complete a thru-hike, do a skydive, shave your head, get a tattoo, complete the 3 peaks challenge…
One idea is to use Facebook live or use Instagram stories and ask for donations in exchange for dares. For example someone could say I will donate $30 for you to dye your hair green / sing a song / eat a jar of pickles… And then you do it live on camera! This brings in high volumes of donations!
A sponsored skydive is a great way to raise money
7. No Presents This Year…
If Christmas / your birthday / Eid / Graduation, or any other occasion you may receive gifts is coming up… tell everyone that instead of a gift for yourself, you want donations towards your volunteer trip!
If each family member that would buy you a present instead donated the money to your trip, you can reach that target much more quickly.
People might even be more generous as a result of your selflessness…
Forgo presents this year to reach your fundraising goals
8. Ebay!
Create some space in your life and reach your fundraising total by selling that stuff you don’t use or wear on Ebay!
Those shoes never fit, that portable DVD player you haven’t used since you downloaded Netflix, a broken laptop someone could use for parts, your ex partners sweater… Sell it.
You can raise some serious cash AND de-clutter your life to make packing for your trip that much easier.
9. Use your skills
What skills do you have that you can use?
Maybe you can make friendship bracelets, hair wraps, take great photos, sing… offer to babysit, be designated driver for the month, write beautiful personalized wedding invitations? Mow a lawn, offer to fix up a website.
Anything you can do in exchange for money! It’s getting you closer to your target.
People will pay you to clean for them.
Now you know how to fundraise, it’s time to apply for our volunteer program!
