THIS IS KALBA

We don't just want to build this school ourselves, we want to enable the people of Kalba to build their own school, their own futures. Based on a partnership with the local committee in Kalba, we want to make an impact on the local education.

Therefore, we are running this project in conjunction with the German Rüt’n’Rock association, which has hosted music festivals and events for over 13 years, using its proceeds to finance projects in their partnership community of Kalba.

So far, Rüt'n'Rock has raised over €140,000 to build multiple schools and fund education, health and infrastructure programs, which developed from over 35 years experience of Aktionskreis Pater Hagen, an organisation which has help the local partnership committee of Kalba build more than 20 schools, and fund health care and clean water programmes.

The idea of the project started as Sonny sat in a bar in Nicaragua with Tim and Svenja of Rüt'n'Rock in October 2016, after meeting for the first time 4 weeks earlier in Guatemala. Less than a year later they found themselves in Kalba, along with Isaac, in a church that was turned into a recording studio.

This crowdfunding campaign is the final push to something that started as an idea over a beer, materialised during our trip to Ghana in 2017, in order to transform into an album, which can build a school in Ghana.

We want to raise at least € 5,000 to finish our first musical collaboration album, which would then be sold to start raising the €15,000 needed to building a school in Kalba.

The project aims to benefit three groups of people:

1. The children of North Ghana - increasing their chances of receiving a high standard of education and improving their lives immeasurably.
2. The musicians of Ghana - projects like this give them the ability to practise and hone their art forms and to take their culture beyond the borders of Ghana.
3. You, our supporters - by giving you the opportunity to experience Ghanaian music and culture and by being a vital part of changing people's lives, not just in Ghana, but wherever the music goes.

The music we will produce will be different from what you've heard before. The Grammy nominated sound of Sonny Johns, the amazing xylophone playing of Isaac Birituro and various musical contributions from in Ghanaian and UK artistes will provide you with a new sound and a new musical experience.

Different from other albums, the proceeds of this one will support an education project in Ghana. Thanks to the fact that all the musicians are contributing their time for free, by purchasing this product you will directly support the education of the children in Ghana, improving their futures immeasurably.

Furthermore, you will help to plant the seed for future collaborations, which will support cultural exchange and nurture local musicians.

So... in other words: Why wouldn't you support this project?

The money raised by this campaign will allow us to finish the recording, duplication and distribution of our first collaborative album, as well as fulfil your rewards.

1. Recording and Duplication - The largest share of the money will be used for the recording, mixing, mastering and duplication of the album. To do this we plan to travel to Ghana in March/April 2018 to finish recording and to allow the Ghanaian musicians to contribute further to the album. Then, we will mix and master the album around April/May, shortly followed by the duplication process. After all that we will be ready for an August release... hopefully - due to the nature of these processes, timings may differ.
2. The Rewards - Also, a small proportion of the money will be used to cover the costs producing the other crowdfunding rewards such as xylophones and tote bags.
3. Start building a school - Any funds raised over and above the initial funding goal will go directly into the pot for building the school.

So far this project has been self-funded, including all musicians both in Ghana and the UK, and the first trip to Ghana in October 2017. We'd like to say 'Thank you!' to everybody who has contributed so far.