Freetown, Sierra Leonne
In 2004, Rubba teamed up with iEARN (www.iearnsierraleone.org), the world's largest non-profit global youth network using new technology to engage in collaborative educational projects. Recently overcoming a devastating civil war, Sierra Leone is a country with a deep-rooted musical tradition. The youth of Sierra Leone, including many who had been conscripted into the military during the war, were excited about the opportunity to use their songs to share their experiences. Through the tremendous efforts made by program directors Andrew Greene, Jr. and Rashid Peters, the program was a success as participants wrote songs dealing with issues such as HIV/AIDS, war and conflict, and the unique problems facing refugee communities. Using Rubba's proprietary curriculum, the staff of iEARN worked with dozens of local youth to discuss pertinent issues and create songs documenting their feelings and experiences. Then the thirteen best and most informative songs were selected and recorded onto a CD using a professional-quality, digital music recording studio. One particularly powerful song was written by Valicious Johnson, a twelve-year old boy who has contracted HIV. In his song, "Say the Doctor is Lying," he lies bedridden, bemoaning the stubbornness that sent him to the dying bed.