The children who live alongside the Deonar Dumping Ground in the slum community of Govandi will now experience the joy of learning music, thanks to the launch of a Community Music Centre, courtesy of Australian pace bowler, Brett Lee’s new Foundation, ‘Mewsic.’

Working with local partners, Pratham and Furtado’s Music, the centre was inaugurated today by Brett and his Foundation mascot ‘Binga’ where children, many of whom are engaged as ragpickers, had the opportunity to play instruments like guitar, bongo, keyboard and recorder alongside their cricket legend.
The centre is the first of its kind launched in India by Brett’s new Foundation, ‘Mewsic’ whose focus is to bring the joy and power of music to underprivileged children and use music as a tool to heal, educate and empower marginalised children in India.

Sharing the cause in a varied manner, United Phosphorus Limited (UPL) offered an opportunity to meet these children at Deonar Dumping Ground, where Brett officially launched his Foundation and shared his vision and passion for music. ‘I like playing cricket. But I love music! If you took cricket out of my life i’d be sad. If you took music out of my life i’d be devastated!’ the pace bowler stated.
‘Music has been an important part of my life for many years and has helped me through many tough times.’ He said. ‘I have a little boy and I want disadvantaged kids to have the opportunity to heal and learn and grow from all that music can bring to their lives.’

Working with NGO partner, The Music Therapy Trust of India, the Foundation will next month launch a program that uses Music Therapy to help heal the emotional wounds of displaced Kashmiri children who have suffered the trauma of war in their lives.

Additionally, the Foundation will work with Australian based organisation MusoMagic to facilitate empowering songwriting workshops with youth who have been affected by social issues such as prostitution, child labour and child marriage.
‘I have been coming to India for over a decade now and I feel a real affinity with the country and its people. I have been given me so much warmth, hospitality and affection – it’s now time for me to do something to give back.’ Brett said.