About Muzika
Muzika was established as a Charity in 1990. After the fall of Ceausescu during the previous year it was discovered that over 100,000 Romanian children were living in horrific conditions in institutions across the country.
Muzika was started by a group of professionals from the arts, education and social services. The group immediately made contact with several orphanages, and visits revealed appalling conditions: malnutrition, cot-bound children and adolescents, and systematic neglect. Staff were untrained with little or no pay, and no engagement with the children.
Muzika quickly demonstrated the importance of engaging with care staff. Training and the development of materials by Muzika volunteers has led to major gains in developing awareness and competence. Staff now use expressive arts with children and adults on a regular basis.
Today Muzika has about 40 volunteers and has organised around 100 visits since 1990.
The Charity is governed by a Board of Trustees comprising:
Kate Baxter President
Dr Jeremy Hague
Mike Horsburgh Treasurer
Elizabeth McGuirk
Brenda Norreys
Margaret Ralph Chair of Trustees
Heather Savage Secretary
Operational decisions are made by a Management Committee chaired by Professor Peter Totterdill which includes the Trustees, Regional Co-ordinators and several volunteers.
The Muzika Weekend, held in October each year, brings together volunteers and supporters from around the country. Contact us for details.
Contact Muzika’s Secretary, Heather Savage for more information about the Trust and its activities.
You can also access the latest Annual Report and minutes from meetings of Muzika’s Trustees and Management Committee. Reports of team visits to Romania can be found here.
