TDC Chair Dr. Jessica Bennett and Founder Maseh Nchang realized the potential of their new vocational program in a single moment: watching Kenyan master craftsmen, drum-makers since 1976, guide youth from the Child of Mercy Children’s Home (COMECH) through their first drum-making apprenticeship. It was here that Bennett and Nchang knew the program could shape far more than instruments. It could shape futures.

Program Origins

The TDC vocational initiative grew from Bennett’s long-standing connection to COMECH, a relationship that began during her volunteer work with Final Third Foundation (F3), where she serves as Director of Soccer & Literacy. Bennett first traveled to Kenya with F3 Founder Benjamin Levey and quickly formed a close bond with the COMECH youth. She continued tutoring and supporting them from the U.S., ultimately bringing her experience in youth development, literacy, and community building into partnership with TDC. 

When Bennett returned to COMECH in January 2025, Nchang accompanied her and introduced drum circles using traditional Kenyan instruments he had sourced. Witnessing the students’ natural musical ability sparked the vision for a vocational program that could provide both artistic expression and a sustainable trade. When initial funding for the trip unexpectedly fell through, Bennett personally funded the workshop using proceeds from the sale of her tutoring business, underscoring her dedication to TDC and the COMECH youth she has mentored.

This vocational program is a natural extension of TDC’s 1000 Drums Project, a global initiative that collects and distributes drums to children in foster care, orphanages, and underserved communities, providing access to instruments that enrich their lives, foster cultural exchange, and facilitate transformative drum circles for at-risk youth in Ohio, Cameroon, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Vital Partnerships

To bring the program together, several organizations got involved. Akamba Handicraft, a well-known Mombasa cooperative where skilled artisans produce and sell authentic Kenyan crafts, partnered with Nchang to host the drum-making workshop. Participating students apprenticed with master artisans, learning how to build traditional Kenyan drums from raw materials. TDC also partnered with Kitaa Records under producer and studio engineer David Mukeku Mutua, who works under the name Producer Nau. While in the recording studio, Nchang, who is also a musician with multiple albums, introduced students to the music production process of recording, mixing, and mastering. Finally, the program was enriched by Gabriel Oduor, a Kenyan musician, and Angeline Aoko, a professional dancer, both members of Rapala Cultural Dancers, a local performing arts group dedicated to preserving and presenting traditional Kenyan music and dance. Oduor and Aoko guided workshop participants through music and dance sessions, deepening the students’ cultural training and strengthening the performance component of the program.

Workshop Events and Outcomes

During the three-day pilot workshop, students built twelve traditional drums, took part in drum circles, learned traditional dance from professional performers, created an original song, and experienced the full music-production process in a studio. They also developed relationships with partner organizations, expanded their professional networks, and secured opportunities for future performances.

The most unexpected outcome came when Oduor and Aoko collaborated with Akamba Handicraft to plan a two-day public performance on December 13, an opportunity giving the COMECH students meaningful visibility. Not only will international visitors see them, but, as Bennett noted, many Kenyan nationals with “influence and resources” will be present as well, making the opportunity especially powerful.

Next Steps 

Although the pilot was just a three-day workshop, Bennett and Nchang hope to expand it into a full vocational program open to young adults in Mombasa, partnering with Akamba Handicraft. Ian Onyango, manager at Akamba, said it was “amazing to witness” the pilot program and to see the drums the students created. “It’s a great program and a good cause,” he said, adding that Akamba is “happy to help support what’s happening here.” Onyango emphasized that the training reached beyond artistry alone. “They learned hard and soft skills they can use to generate income and take care of themselves,” he said. Nchang echoed that optimism, saying he is grateful for the partnership and excited to grow what has begun. 

Donate

With sustained funding and long-term support, TDC is committed to building a program that equips young adults in Mombasa with lifelong skills, creative confidence, and meaningful economic opportunities. Securing external funding remains a top priority, and with a complete grant proposal in hand, TDC is actively inviting partners to join in expanding the program. 

Email Maseh Nchang at maseh@trutdrumcircles.org to request a copy of the full proposal or explore how the vocational model can be replicated in other cities and countries. 

Help expand our mission to unite the world through rhythm by contributing directly at https://trustdrumcircles.org/donate/.  Every donation supports training, apprenticeships, and creative opportunities that foster economic development in Africa.