In the Spirit of ‘Gotong Royong’ (Community Cooperation), Singaporean and Indonesian Artists Collaborate on the Arts for Social Impact
Artists from both countries put together ‘Songs from the Heart of Kupang’ music album to fundraise for the Roslin Orphanage in Indonesia.
What started from a Creative Education Programme, the Kupang Project, by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and the Roslin Orphanage in 2016 led to the creation of a music album entitled ‘Songs from the Heart of Kupang’ a year later.
The album is an initiative of Indonesian jazz musician Nita Aartsen and Singaporean composer Clement Chow. It also drew international artists from multiple countries including Singapore, Indonesia, France and Italy.
The Kupang Project enabled the residents of the orphanage to introduce arts-based activities and skills into the educational programme of the Roslin Orphanage. Using their new-found skills, the residents also lent their voices to the album to help raise funds for their orphanage.
The launch of the music album in Jakarta drew audiences from the neighbouring regions of Singapore to as far as Germany and Belgium. It marked a celebration of friendships between Singaporeans and Indonesians who worked together towards a mutual goal of uplifting the lives of the residents at Roslin Orphanage. The international musicians performed numerous pieces from the album such as the soulful ‘Blessed Moon’ and the lively upbeat ‘On Our Way’.
“Through this music album, our children have been given a chance to express themselves and to make something they are proud of.” said Budi Soehardi, Founder, Roslin Orphanage.
“I am very grateful to lead in this musical project and appreciate the support of musicians and teams from all over the world, such as Indonesia, Singapore, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. I am especially thankful for Pak Budi, his family, and the Roslin kids, who had the faith to do this album,” said Nita Aartsen, Music Director and Composer, ‘Songs from the Heart of Kupang’ music album.
‘Songs from the Heart of Kupang’ and the Kupang Project exemplify the SIF’s Arts for Good initiative which harnesses the power of the arts for social impact. The arts is one of several areas, including business and livelihood, healthcare, education and the environment, that the SIF catalyses people into action and to work together to build a better world.
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