Old Songs New Opportunities Trains Daycare Teachers

Fifteen former refugee women recently finished a three-month class and internship program to train them to work and use their native songs in daycare settings. The Museum leads this initiative, called the Old Songs New Opportunities Project, which allows former refugees, who are rich in tradition but often have few employment choices, to use their traditional songs as a resource.

The program helps women to reconnect with their traditional cultures and to keep their songs alive not just with their own children, but to share them with the greater Erie community. The Museum has facilitated two previous trainings in 2004 and 2005, and most of those women secured jobs in local daycares as a result.

The current trainees hail from Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Somalia, Bhutan and the Congo. They recently joined Lynn Clint from the Better Kid Care Program and Museum Education Director Kelly Armor in presenting a professional development session to local teachers. Over 40 people attended the class where they learned a variety of children’s songs from the former refugees and explored how to use the songs authentically in their classrooms. Participants also discussed cultural differences in raising children, serving food, and traditional dress.

One participant commented, “These women are so brave to start over again in a new country.” Another teacher said, “Their songs are so beautiful. In their culture everyone sings. I guess that means I can sing, too, at least in my classroom!”

Contact Museum Folk Art Coordinator, Kelly Armor for more information.