The children at St Giles' School in Harare are often visited by musicians from the Book Cafe, and take great pleasure in their music.
Last updated:Â 14 september, 2010 - 18:00 GMT
Zimbabwe's Book Cafe
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Paul Brickhill is a white Zimbabwean who runs the Book Cafe in Harare - a performing arts venue which has become synonymous with freedom of speech and expression in a country where many people fear exercising such rights.
Paul says despite being closely watched by the authorities for three decades, he has no plans to stop activities at the cafe.
Now, two years after Zimbabwe's power-sharing agreement was signed, the Book Cafe is more popular than ever.
Outlook’s Mike Thomson paid a visit to find out what life in Harare is like for Paul and some of the cafe’s performers and visitors, including local disabled schoolchildren.
Music for children in Harare
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People with disabilities in Zimbabwe are marginalised. Many of the children at St Giles' School are wheelchair bound, blind, deaf or come from poor backgrounds.
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The children are captivated by the music and clap along to the performance.
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Outlook's Mike Thomson joins in with the children playing 'air' instruments to the band's performance.
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Victor Kunonga (centre) is a regular performer at the Book Cafe. He and his band have been visiting St Giles' School since the start of this year to share their music with the children.
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Many of the children watch intently as the band play.
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When Victor performs, he encourages the children to dance and sing.
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Victor says he was reduced to tears when he saw deaf children dancing to and enjoying his music as if they could hear it. This blind boy loves dancing to the music too, and some even like to breakdance.
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Victor also encourages the children to join him on stage, to sing and play an instrument.
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Victor also encourages the children to join him on stage, to sing and play an instrument.
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The children seem to love Victor, and the teachers really appreciate the positive effect he has had on the school.
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The music brings real joy to the kids. Their teacher says that many of them are going hungry, but the music has brought a lot of enjoyment to their day.
A Friday night at the Book Cafe
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Outlook's Mike Thomson meets Paul Brickhill outside Harare's famous Book Cafe - the performing arts venue which has become synonymous with free expression.
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Despite being closely watched by the authorities Paul Brickhill has enjoyed promoting free speech at the Book Cafe for 30 years and says he has no intention of stopping.
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Friday night in the Cafe is always a lively affair, as people enjoy the performances of poetry and music.
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Performers at the Cafe span the generations; this band goes by the name of Three Grandfathers.
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Pablo and Friendz provide a jazzy soundtrack for the Cafe.
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As the night draws to a close the Cafe is filled with the sounds of the trumpet.
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At the Café Mike meets two radical Zimbabwean poets, known as Comrade Fatso and Outspoken, who have risked falling foul of the authorities to perform their frank work.
First broadcast on September 14 2010
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