Atlanta refugee education program Global Village Project releases homegrown songbook

A group of students perform on stage.
Atlanta refugee education program Global Village Project releases a songbook with an upcoming performance. (Courtesy of Elise Witt)

Global Village Project is a Decatur-based humanitarian outreach program and a specialized middle school for refugee girls. Their students come from Afghanistan, Congo, Syria, Burma and other nations where displaced young people’s educations are interrupted.

This year, the students at GVP are celebrating their achievements in music with the release of “Imagine a Circle: The Global Village Project Songbook.” The songs are written by and with GVP students, and selections will be performed at a celebration concert on Sept. 28 at the Oakhurst Center for Community.

“Music is a way for us to connect without having our shared English language yet,” said GVP Director of Music Programs Elise Witt.

Witt and GVP Director of Education Hannah Edber recently joined Lois Reitzes on “City Lights” to discuss these remarkable students and their songs. More information about the Songbook and upcoming performances can be found at Witt’s website, https://elisewitt.com/web/calendar/imagine-a-circle-songbook-release-feb24-24/.