Fondation Lëtzebuerger Kannerduerf

The Project

Music therapy complements our already existing specific support measures, such as animal-assisted pedagogy and art therapy. For a child or adolescent, healing from traumatic wounds can be a real challenge. Our individual support measures offer children and adolescents a "safe and non-judgmental place, " enabling them to confront their worries and fears.

With Musek @ Kannerduerf, we offer a variety of individually adaptable possibilities to help traumatized children and adolescents manage the aftereffects of their traumatic experiences through educational and therapeutic musical interventions. Additionally, we give children the opportunity to discover music as a recreational activity.

We aim to raise awareness among young people about the diversity of music, enhance their artistic abilities, develop their resilience to strengthen their mental balance, and improve social inclusion.

The Implementation

The COVID-19 pandemic has once again confirmed to us that emotional and psychological stabilization is a prerequisite for responding with resilience to extraordinary and unpredictable situations, even crises. This is especially true for children and adolescents growing up in environments outside of their families. This realization led us to reflect on the possibility of expanding and complementing our therapeutic offerings.

Music is a form of communication and expression that has always allowed humans to make their emotions visible and gives them the ability to express themselves.

Thus, in the first half of 2022, we hired a music therapist and purchased the necessary instruments for the sessions. Meanwhile, we had to find an appropriate space, a place where we could offer music therapy without disturbing others or being disturbed. In fact, finding such a room wasn't easy, so we began work to better insulate an existing room to allow for private work.

To kick off the project, we had already conducted some initial music workshops during the summer of 2021, thanks to the support of the Fondation Loutsch-Weydert. The children and adolescents who participated were enthusiastic about the concept and the different music styles that were presented.

As part of a composition workshop, the young participants, supported by pedagogues and professional musicians, wrote the lyrics of a song about SOS Kannerduerf and their life within the Kannerduerf. This song ("Kannerduerfslidd") quickly became an anthem for our entire community.

Objective

We want to make music permanent at Kannerduerf and include it in our offerings in an organized and sustainable way, through a therapeutic aspect supported by the Foundation and a recreational aspect supported by other partners.

By providing specific support measures on-site at the Kannerduerf in Mersch and with specially trained collaborators, we can respond quickly, flexibly, and easily to the needs of the children and young people we care for.

The children and adolescents who participate in music therapy discover new resources and sensations. They learn to express their feelings through voice and body, and in doing so, they will develop their resilience and self-awareness. We want to accompany each child and each young person on their path to an autonomous, responsible, and fulfilling life.

Music is a form of communication and expression that has always allowed humans to make their emotions visible and gives them the ability to express themselves. Music can accomplish so much, and it can also make so many things much simpler.