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A New Home at Pakare Paye

Posted By: Jacob Bain | Jul, 13th 2012 | Back to News

Publish the Quest & friends at Pakayre Paye - Photo by Colin Brynn

 

Pakare Paye Art Center is inspiring. A place where young artists can develop and hone their skills in music, dance, drama, poetry and storytelling. The work that Zimbabwean legend Oliver Mtukudzi is doing at the center is obvious from the moment you arrive. His selfless giving of time and energy to the students is infectious. It was clear from our first meeting with Oliver in 2011 that our mutual love of music and our ability to help would bring us back together.


Munyaradzi Mataruse accepts donated instruments - photo by Colin Brynn

I would like to thank all of the people who donated instruments during the past year. These intruments will allow the students at Pakare Paye more practice time and enable them to conduct musical outreach programs into the rural areas around and Harare such as Hatcliffe...


It was so good to connect with Oliver again. Last year we got the full tour of his amazing facility, and this year we were welcomed like old friends. It was an emotional experience full of smiles, laughter and the ever present sound music..

 

Munyaradzi Mataruse, Jacob, and Rita pose at Pakarye Paye - Photo by Colin Brynn

 

Some of the students at the school, along with Tuku and his lovely wife Daisy, gathered at the entrance to greet us this year, and welcomed with open arms, the instruments that we brought along. It didn't take long before conversing and catching up gave way to an all out jam session. I guess that is what happens when there is a big pile of instruments surrounded by people that love to play them!

 

Group breaks out into a jam at Pakarye Paye - Photo by Colin Brynn

 

Tuku told us that no instruments had been donated to the center since its opening in 2003, and expressed that he was overwhelmed with emotion at the sight of these donations. His dream and vision is the center. His passion is very clearly kids, and helping them to discover their art, their craft, and most importantly their passion...

 

Oliver Mtukudzi and Jacob Bain keeping it real - Photo by Colin Brynn


Tuku is one of the most humble, soft-spoken individuals that I have ever met. The words that he chooses have wisdom within. When he tells a story you can't help but to become immediately inspired. For those of you who were so kind to hand us an instrument... a harmonica, a snare, a guitar... Thank you again. I want you to know that it has gone someplace where it will be used. It has gone someplace that is completely filled with love and passion for learning and for music. These instruments could not have found a better home...

 

Jacob & Publish the Quest

Comments:

Posted by Shannon Noel on Jul 13th, 2012 @ 5:20 pm

Ms.

Way to make it happen you guys! Great to see the laughter rolling around. I know the music made from those instruments will be bringing joy and laughter for a long time after you've gone. Nice going!

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