I grew up in a family of 13 children made up of siblings, cousins, and family friends. And that meant that resources were spread thin most often. The goal of education, therefore, became to do a course that could earn enough money to rescue the family from poverty. When a child lacks what it takes to live purposefully and in alignment with his or her gifts and talents, it spirals into an unending cycle of poverty, depression, and hopelessness. I had been that child who didn't have the voice and resources to live her dreams. The system gives you no such privilege. 

I am creating Chaperone as a guide to children and kids from disadvantaged backgrounds (maybe because their parents and guardians do not understand what it means for an individual to take up music as a profession and to start training for it early; or simply because they cannot afford the instruments, training, and coaching for it, they are unable) to give children gifted and interested in classical music as a career a chance to have a go at it and to ultimately make a career of it.

These were the chances I did not have as a child and still do not have in the country I am in, even as an adult. But by creating this, I hope to light the way for many more of 'the child I was', coming the way I took: to be different and to find respite and a life with music. 
 
--- Adwoa Koranteng