Music Gives Me Hope

by Maureen Mbu

I’m from West Africa, Cameroon, and I’ve been in America since 2004, so over 20 years. I have been taking voice lessons with The Music Settlement for about four years, and having music in my life has been very important for my mental well-being. I have a scholarship to take voice lessons, and this has meant a lot to me.

I had been suffering from mental illness for a very long time. But music has helped me stay focused, to have hope that I’m able to do something. Before The Music Settlement, I was not able to do anything. I just sat at home crying. But now I have hope. I’m up. I’m able. I have confidence that I’m able to sing. I think that’s a beautiful thing.

When I was suffering from depression, I thought, I need something to help me cope with my mental illness, something that can give me hope, something I can focus on. I needed to find a way to help myself mentally. And it was music. It relaxed my brain and helped me stay focused.

When I am singing, I feel so good. I feel the music. I feel like, Oh, I got it. Just let it go. Singing helps me feel really happy, and it keeps me going every day. I’m very grateful that I have this opportunity to take music lessons with The Music Settlement.