Sounds of Change

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Sounds of Change

Sounds of Change uses music to help people develop into positive role models in their community, in order to encourage social change.

The Sounds of Change foundation trains aid workers and teachers to integrate music as an empowering tool in their work with children in (post) conflict areas. We believe that children have the right to be empowered and develop their full potential. Music is a proven springboard and a very powerful tool to heal the emotional wounds of war, boost creativity and stimulate compassionate communication.

These essential life skills and competencies will enable children to engage and connect with their communities and build trust and confidence to work in groups and collaborate on plans and projects. By providing a safe space where children can learn and freely express themselves, they can explore possibilities and embark on opportunities for a positive and prosperous future.

27/02/2026

Sounds of Change in Ramallah 🇵🇸❤️

What happens when music becomes a space for leadership?

Two weeks ago in Ramallah, we worked with 12 dedicated professionals during an intensive Training of Trainers. In a context where stress and uncertainty are part of everyday life, they chose to deepen their skills, not only to support others, but to train colleagues in the same trauma-sensitive, music-based approach.

We moved, we played, we created, we laughed, we shared, we worked and we reflected. ⭐️

And we witnessed something powerful: people stepping into ownership of this work. This is what sustainable change looks like. Local professionals building capacity from within their own communities, especially in places where continuity can never be taken for granted.

In our new newsletter, we take you inside this week in Ramallah. The process. The creative moments. The reality on the ground. And the strength of shared leadership.

If you’d like to read the full story:
www.soundsofchange.org/newsletters/sounds-of-change-in-ramallah

Lucas Dols Sander van Goor Nour Hanna Faris Amin

20/02/2026

🇵🇸 Sounds of Change in Ramallah

Last week we delivered a Training of Trainers in Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine, working with 12 dedicated staff members from organizations operating in increasingly difficult and threatening circumstances.

We witnessed firsthand how much pressure Palestinian communities are under. And still, what stood out most was the dedication and resilience of the fantastic people we work with. ⭐️

These professionals support children, young people and families who have lost loved ones through violence, imprisonment or displacement. They also work with individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, always with enormous heart and commitment.❤️

Together, we reflected on what it means to work in these conditions:
How do you cope with ongoing trauma?
How do you stay hopeful when influence feels small?

All participants had already been working with the Sounds of Change method after completing our Facilitators Training last year. This week, they stepped into the role of trainer, preparing themselves to pass the work on to colleagues, teachers, social workers and artists.

In this project, we partner with Trauma International, who provide online training in trauma-sensitive support and practical knowledge about trauma, strengthening the foundation of this work. 🙏

We also visited the Palestinian Circus in Birzeit, a powerful initiative creating safe space for children to move, feel secure and build social-emotional wellbeing.🎪

We left with deep respect and admiration, and with renewed commitment to stand alongside those who continue their work with courage and compassion.

More about our work in the West Bank in our upcoming newsletter (link in bio)

A special thanks to Sander van Goor for your committed and heartfelt work as music therapist and trainer with Sounds of Change. Your presence and leadership made a real difference this week. And of course: Razan and Faris for coordinating and translations.

Sander van Goor Nour Hanna Lucas Dols Faris Amin Anne van den Ouwelant

♥️

31/12/2025

As we come to the end of this year, we want to pause and express our deep gratitude to our incredible trainer team at Sounds of Change, and to the fantastic people and organisations we had the honour to train and work with this year. ⭐️

2025 was a deeply active and inspiring year, with physical and online trainings in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank), Northeast Syria, Ukraine, and the Netherlands. 🌍

This photo was taken in November, when we came together for the first time as a complete trainer team, a week to connect, learn, play, and truly be there for one another. ❤️

While war and violence remain a reality in many of the places where we work, the commitment and courage of the people and organisations we train continue to offer light in dark times. We are grateful to have walked alongside them and contributed in a small way. 🙏

Thank you to our trainer team 🤍💜💚❤️💙
Onwards, together, into 2026

Sander van Goor Kateryna Kudasheva Han Van't Land Amjad Mestarehi Marijn Korff de Gidts Lucas Dols Rian Evers Faris Amin Soumaya HK Atef Malhas Nour Hanna

23/12/2025

✨ New newsletter out now ✨

About our training work in Lebanon and Ukraine this December 🎶🌍

We trained and worked with powerful, inspiring local professionals in two very different contexts:

🇱🇧 Lebanon
We delivered an intensive training for psychosocial and humanitarian workers, combining trauma-informed theory with practical music- and arts-based tools that can be used immediately in the field. We facilitated this training in collaboration with Trauma International.

🇺🇦 Ukraine
We took an important next step by hosting our first Training of Trainers sessions , empowering local professionals to train others and strengthen long-term, community-based impact.

👉 Read the full newsletter via the link in bio.

Music continues to be a powerful source of connection, resilience and hope, especially where it’s needed most.

07/12/2025

⭐️ Last week we were in Beirut, Lebanon, where we facilitated a training together with

Participants joined us from five inspiring organisations:
(with whom we first started collaborating eight years ago — very special to reconnect), Amal, and (last worked with in 2019, wonderful to see them again).
❤️🌳🇱🇧

We trained therapists, aid workers, program managers, community workers, closed, sharing our Sounds of Change methodology and Trauma International’s trauma-sensitive support approach. Because everyone was already an experienced facilitator, the content connected beautifully with their existing knowledge, experience and practice.

We shared knowledge about trauma and introduced practical tools using arts, music and movement, all supporting trauma–sensitive & psychosocial support.
We received very positive feedback on the easy accessibility and practical applicability of everything we explored throughout the week.

It was truly a special week , one we feel deeply grateful for. We are thankful that we could offer something meaningful and practical, even if our contribution is just a small part of the much bigger work these wonderful changemakers lead every day. We are incredibly proud of them, and genuinely impressed by their dedication, especially given the heavy and complex circumstances in which they are working in Lebanon.

Facilitated by Nour Hanna and (Trauma International).

We’ll share the full story soon in our newsletter (link in BIO, or www.soundsofchange.org

Meanwhile, as we returned from Lebanon, our colleagues and travelled on to Ukraine to facilitate our next training.

The work continues.

29/08/2025

🎶 In June, we trained 60 teachers from 60 different schools in the Zakarpattia region in Ukraine.

Through music, movement, art and dialogue, they gained tools to create safe, trauma-sensitive and supportive classrooms for their students. ⭐️

And thanks to our partners, each teacher received a set of Boomwhackers 🌈, now spreading sound and joy in schools across Ukraine. 💛💙

Their words touched us deeply:
✨ “Change starts with me.”

👉 Read more in our newsletter:

www.soundsofchange.org/newsletters/training-of-60-teachers-in-ukraine

Kateryna Kudasheva Sander van Goor Lucas Dols

11/07/2025

🎵 Music as a tool for trauma-sensitive support!

Over the past three months, together with Sounds of Change and Trauma International, we’ve trained over 200 aid workers across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan.

This morning we held an intensive and inspiring peer session with amazing professionals from Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem—all part of our recent hybrid trainings in the West Bank.

📬 Dive into our full newsletter for more:
👉 [Link in bio or paste this]
https://www.soundsofchange.org/newsletters/music-art-and-trauma-support-program-palestine-jordan-and-lebanon

This programme is part of a two-year collaboration with the DROSOS FOUNDATION, training psychosocial workers and field staff in trauma-sensitive support. Participants explore both theory and practice—learning powerful tools like music, art, movement, breathwork, and dialogue, and how to use the Sounds of Change methodology to build safe, healing environments.

🔜 After summer, we’ll continue our trainings in Jordan, Lebanon, and the West Bank, and keep supporting those we’ve already trained.

🙏 Huge thanks to the unwavering support of the DROSOS FOUNDATION , and our incredible team of trainers:
🎓 Trauma International – Anne van den Ouwehand, .a
🎶 Sounds of Change – Nour Hanna, , .cello
🕊️ Wings of Hope for Trauma – Ursula Mukarker

Adres

Erfgooiersstraat 73
Amsterdam
1222AE

Telefoon

+31641377052

Website

http://www.soundsofchange.org/

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