(ይህንን ፖስት (ልጥፍ) በአማርኛ ማንበብ ትችላላችሁ፡፡)

In early January, I had the opportunity to visit three of Music as Therapy International’s partner settings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia alongside Makeda, our International Programme Manager.

During our time there, we met with members of staff at Hospice Ethiopia, FENAID (Fikir Ethiopian National Association for Intellectual Disabilities), and Lebeza Psychiatry Clinic. Our goal was to check in on their current music practices, explore how we could best offer sustainable support, and for some, understand their interest in further music training from Music as Therapy International.

We also wanted to gauge the impact of our Ethiopian Newsletter, which was released in September. Unfortunately, we found that it hadn’t reached as many people as we had hoped, but it was nice to know our Partners asked for us to re-share the newsletter with them.

The visits were overwhelmingly positive for me as we met dedicated, hardworking individuals committed to making a difference in the care they provide. Their passion and the impact of their work were truly inspiring, and we’re excited to continue strengthening these partnerships.

Hospice Ethiopia

At Hospice Ethiopia, we met with Wengel, who spoke with great pride about the progress the hospice had made over the past year. She shared their plans to establish a new programme for children facing end-of-life challenges—an important development that sparked a discussion about the differences between bringing music into care for children compared to the adults they already serve.

It was encouraging to hear how well-integrated music already is within their care practices, and the potential for expansion into paediatric palliative care was clear. We left feeling hopeful about how music could continue to support their work in new and meaningful ways.

FENAID

On our second day, we visited FENAID, and what a wonderful place it was. We were warmly welcomed who gave us a tour of their impressive facility. FENAID provides a safe and sustainable environment where adults with learning disabilities can learn, develop skills, and be part of a strong community.

Although we didn’t get to witness a music session during our visit, it was evident—from the vibrant classrooms, the busy textile workshops, and the stories shared by staff and beneficiaries—that music remains an important and valued part of their activities.

In our discussions with the staff, it became clear that they would like more sustainable support from us with their work on encouraging the government and their wider network of schools to explore the role of music in schools.

Lebeza Psychiatry Clinic

After a much-needed stop at Leza Coffee for some Firfir and Spris fresh fruit juice, we pressed on, with full bellies, to Lebeza Psychiatry Clinic.

Here, we met with Wondwosen, who arranged a discussion with some of the clinical team about their use of music in psychiatric care. It was clear that music was already playing a valuable role in their practice, helping to support patients in meaningful ways. However, as is often the case in healthcare settings, staff turnover was expressed as a potential future challenge in maintaining music sessions. Supporting a member of staff to share their knowledge and skills with others was discussed as a potential solution. 

This trip reinforced the value of music in care settings and the dedication of those working tirelessly to support people in vulnerable situations in Ethiopia. It also gave us valuable insight into how we can better support our partners to increase capacity so more people can be inspired to find out more about the role of music within care. We left feeling inspired by the work being done and excited to explore new ways to ensure music remains a meaningful part of care in these settings and beyond.

~ Henry

If you are also in Ethiopia, and interested in learning more about using music, then please email our International Programme Manager, Makeda Mitchell, at makedamitchell@musicastherapy.org for more information on how we can support you.

Read about the journeys, challenges, and inspiring successes of those embracing music in care in Addis Ababa and beyond.