Sounds for freedom
Sounds for Freedom is committed to refugee children and other vulnerable children and teenagers in the Netherlands through music projects. We do this through various projects where making music together is central.
We write our own children's songs and teach the children to compose songs themselves. We also develop songs about themes that appeal to the children. Children and teenagers learn the Dutch language playfully and become acquainted with our culture and each other's.
With our music projects, we aim to create awareness and connection. Music makes the children feel emotionally freer and gives them space to grow. It heals emotional wounds and brings people together. Every form of music is like therapy for the soul.
Our projects
In the Free as a Songbird project, newcomer children learn Dutch through singing. Vocabulary, pronunciation, and sound formation are integrated throughout all lessons.
The children learn our songs, but they also write their own songs and raps. The music method is aligned with Wereld vol Woorden ("World Full of Words"), the language-learning method used in many newcomer classrooms. All themes are taught through music across 48 lessons. The method was developed in response to the needs of newcomer schools, in collaboration with experts in language acquisition, music education, and music therapy.
We are building an online learning environment for all newcomer and AZC schools in the Netherlands. Teachers, children, and parents can find our music method there, featuring songs, singing exercises, videos, and educational games.
New: as the first in the Netherlands, we offer a complete online music method through which newcomer students learn Dutch by singing. This focuses on both vocabulary and sound formation. With this platform, we will eventually reach as many as 10,000 children per year.
The online learning environment is still under development and will be available from the 2026/2027 school year. Keep an eye on this page!
Shape & Express Your Identity is a creative project for young people from ISK (international newcomer classes) in secondary education. During three inspiring days, they take part in workshops in music, dance, video, and vlogging, with online resilience and mental health as the central theme.
The students work together towards a musical final performance. In the 2025/2026 school year, it took place at the Montessori Lyceum Oostpoort in Amsterdam.
In 2026/2027, we hope to expand to multiple cities in the Randstad to continue this important project.
Soothing Sounds
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With Soothing Sounds, we offer children in emergency shelters and asylum seeker centres (AZCs) something that is far from guaranteed for them: a carefree, musical holiday. In 2025 and 2026, we will organise five-day musical weeks for around 450 children at locations including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Leiden, and Delft.
During these weeks, the children work together on an accessible, multilingual musical in which their home languages, stories, and creativity take centre stage. Music provides calm, structure, and connection—exactly what children need when their living environment is uncertain and stressful.
The goal is simple: to let children relax, have fun, and just be children again.
Please donate!
Donate now and make difference!
Music gives children a voice.
With your support, we can help more refugee children and newcomers in the Netherlands to sing, grow, and connect.
We develop lessons, projects, and an online platform, all with one goal: to help children playfully find their place in their new language and environment.
Every contribution helps.
Donate now and make a difference.
Our ambassadors
Meet the ambassadors of Sounds for Freedom. We are proud and grateful that they are committed to supporting us. Each in their own way contributes to increasing awareness of our projects and shows within their networks how important music education is for newcomer and refugee children in the Netherlands.
Children's songwriter and music teacher
"Music can connect, welcome, change, strengthen and soften. The goals of Sounds for freedom and the way in which they achieve them, fit in beautifully with this."
Singer, Songwriter and Vocal Coach
"From my own experience, I know that children learn best through play. And that's exactly what we do in our lessons and with our songs. Making music, having fun and also learning the language; It's a wonderful combination."
Specialist in Multilingualism and Language Development
"I am committed to these great projects with great enthusiasm. I believe that every child, every newcomer has the right to 'Sounds for Freedom' in the classroom."
