RDP project database

The project, financed through the Suupohjan Kehittämisyhdistys LAG, targets children aged from 9 to 13 years living in rural areas, offering them the opportunity to get together in an after-school activity.

Distances in the countryside can be considerable and often young people have limited access to extracurricular activities, as they depend on their parents for transportation. The idea of the project was to fill this gap, organising after-school recreational activities at the school premises.

The main objective was to improve the quality of life in rural areas for young people, offering the opportunity to take part in an after-school activity that did not require parents to be actively involved to drive their children back and forth. Other important goals were to give pupils a sense of achievement by getting them to play an instrument together and to build a sense of community among the band members.

Professionals were hired to set up the school band and to teach pupils how to play an instrument. Lessons were held weekly, for a total of two hours per week, and scheduled for the afternoon immediately after school. Instruments were generally hired out for one semester at a time. Pupils were also allowed to take the instruments out of the premises and practice at home, outside class hours.

More than 100 children were taught how to play an instrument. The pupils involved in the project also performed some concerts and participated in a band camp. The opportunity of being part of a band has also contributed to improving their social skills.

After-school activities play a major role in children's education as they contribute to the acquisition of new skills while enhancing interactions and socialisation.

Isojoki, Karijoki, Kauhajoki, Jurva and Teuva.

Etelä-Pohjanmaa

Mainland

133 664

51 126

62 488

20 050

Henna Ahonen

sukury@suupohja.fi

English, Finnish