Rockin' with the Crowd in Meulaboh |
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April 12th, 2007 - 10:09AM |
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Photo: The IRC From the International Rescue Committee's Peter Biro, in Indonesia: It was just cooling down after a long, hot day. I joined my colleagues to have a look at IRC's support of the Tambora youth group in Meulaboh, a city on the tsunami-wrecked west coast of Aceh. Among other things, we are helping a dance troupe, consisting of a dozen teenage girls, with costumes, instruments and to build a new large house to be used for rehearsals. Most of the youth here lost their houses and family members to the tsunami. On the way to the youth centre, the IRC's education and youth development advisor in Aceh, Martin Canter, told me that we are planning to help the youth group's radio station organize live discussions on issues that are important to the young people of Meulaboh. As we pulled up in the yard of the youth centre, live rock music was rattling the windows of a small house. Luckily, I had just arrived in time for the afternoon practice session of one of Tambora's many rock bands. Every afternoon, young (and some older) people gather in this small and hot room to play together and add damage to their ear drums. I used to do this a lot too. I remember the feeling of being in a garage or a basement jamming with friends; few things beat this feeling of creative, amplified havoc. It has also left me with a constant ringing in my left ear. Irreparable, the doctor told me. Drummer Adek sets the beat. It calls for a straight rocker. Stones maybe. Or Oasis? I'm asked to join in. I grab an electric guitar. I'm back in my garage band days. A very nice place to be. Peter's Previous Post: A Rebel Encounter Posted By: theirc | Asia, Tsunami Relief Permalink |
