Plugged In, the Boston-based non-profit teen band program, held a successful live benefit concert for WE CARE Solar on August 8th. Eight youth bands rocked the night away to raise funds for safe motherhood, as a slide show of Nigerian children and street life ran continuously on the side. I gave a presentation on maternal health care in Nigeria, informing teens and their parents about the challenges facing poor Nigerian rural families in urgent need of health care.
Plugged In, founded by Tom Pugh (musical director) and Sandra Rizkallah (administrative director), provides a learning community for young people to develop musical skills and social consciousness. In addition to learning how to perform in a rock band, students research and teach each other about charitable organizations. WE CARE Solar was selected for this summer’s charity concert after 15-year-old guitarist Mitchell Therieau presented our mission to other band members. Over the summer, each group prepared a variety of rock music selections, and even composed an original tune. The music was enjoyed by an enthusiastic multi-generational audience of over a hundred! And when one of the bands played “Oh, What A Night!” I couldn’t have agreed more.
