Finding Our Voice_BP

Finding Our Voice

Sané is a social worker and music therapist from Pretoria, South Africa, and she currently lives with her husband in Hyderabad, India. Her passion is to serve people with as much love and compassion as possible. Sané works for an amazing organisation called My Choices Foundation. The organisation focuses on domestic violence, sexual abuse, and the prevention of human trafficking.

Caitlin: Can you tell me a little more about the work that you do?

Sane: I work hand-in-hand with the counsellors of My Choices Foundation. The organisation helps women through the whole process of police cases, counselling, legal help, and trauma counselling. I am mostly doing music therapy with women who have been traumatised due to various circumstances, as well as with children. For a different organisation I do music therapy for an "upper class" community. Many women and children come for music therapy as they struggle to express themselves or 'stand up' for themselves, due to the way that society has had many difficult expectations of them. I also have many children who come for MT, as arts therapies are still in a pioneering phase in this part of the world.

C: How have these women been marginalised by their families/communities?

S: India is a beautiful country with the most beautiful people. And just like in South Africa, there are multiple social ills like discrimination and marginalisation. Although government and many organisations have been working hard in India to stop child marriages, it still happens. Many young people who have just turned 18 get married. The patriarchal society causes them to have very little opportunity to discover and explore their own interests and feelings, as they are victim to gender roles stipulated by society. The caste system causes major hurt, especially within the minority groups in India. People, especially women, in India are very strong and creative, and have amazing talents. It’s a big honour for me to walk alongside some of them on their journey of discovering and strengthening these superpowers!

C: How have your clients used the MT space to express themselves and be heard?

S: The first important thing here is just the space. Having a space which is completely non-judgemental, completely confidential, and where a struggling individual is gently guided into exploring the self in creative ways is very helpful. Sometimes the women are traumatised and struggle to voice how they feel. Some sessions are very silent, just a place where tears can freely flow, and some seem to bring out the creative child within. Some women have great power and challenge me a lot when it comes to matching and intervening. I make mistakes often, but learn from every one. I have done multiple group sessions too. These are always fun and the sense of belonging experienced within the music is often very comforting to individuals in the groups.

C: If you compare your work in India to the work you did with South African women who have also been marginalised, what are the differences and similarities?

S: There are many similarities. I think the difference is just that the scale is bigger in India. There is the same oppression, same gender issues, but just so many more people experiencing it in India. I have to work harder here, as I am not part of the context and culture and every day I have to challenge myself not to come with "western" ideas or pretences of "knowing something". The women and children of India have so much to teach the world and I am amazed and astonished by their resilience and ability.

C: What MT technique/s have you found to be most helpful when working in this context?

S: I have found both expressive and receptive music therapy very helpful. Most often, the simplest techniques such as relaxation or music listening paired with art has a great impact because it is a new experience to most of the people I see here. Singing and using the voice for various activities has also been powerful in guiding women to rediscover their voice. Using the voice and breathing techniques has helped multiple women to start the process of releasing trauma.

Caitlin Schulze, South Africa

WFMT Student Delegate for Africa