Music heals - thanks to the T-Mobile Fund

• Elementary school in Šumperk establishes a special music therapy class
• Trained specialists will help children from the Olomouc region
• The project prepared by Schola-Viva received support on T-Mobile employees' recommendation

Prague/Šumperk, 15 February 2007 - Music therapy is based on the idea that music can have positive effects on the human mind. Schola-Viva, o.p.s., an elementary school for pupils with learning disabilities and nursery school focusing on speech therapy, chose exactly this method for their educational purposes.

Some music therapy elements have already been used in music lessons in the regular curriculum. However, this March should see the establishment of a specialized music therapy schoolroom upon completion of necessary modifications to the school building. Thanks to a contribution from the T-Mobile fund instruments have already been provided to the pupils.

"Players tend to experience music more intensively than listeners. They have to concentrate much more closely, and also respect other players. That's why it is so important that each pupil has his or her own musical instrument during music therapy," says Martina Kemrová, spokesperson for T-Mobile.

T-Mobile contributed CZK 50,000 to the music therapy project in Šumperk's Schola-Viva through the Employee Fund. The contribution was recommended by a T-Mobile employee whose mother works at the school. The money served for purchasing keyboard instruments, drums, percussion, and the necessary amplification system.

"Several professionally trained teachers that can start the music therapy classes with the kids have been available to us for three years. But it is only now that we finally have the instruments that we are able to provide the classes. And when the special schoolroom is finished in March, we will also be able to offer music therapy to children from other schools, including those based outside Šumperk. Any school in the Olomouc region can benefit from this project," says Marcela Iliadisová, director of the special learning centre.

Schola-Viva was founded in 1992. It has been accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and incorporated into the network of elementary schools. At present, 150 children attend the elementary school while 10 children attend an affiliated nursery school. "It is mostly parents whose children encounter speech problems or learning disabilities that ask us for help. After that, we examine the children in our special learning centre and propose to the parents what kind of therapy might work best. Music therapy is one of the possibilities: it helps to unblock the children's immediate perception of the world around them and to make them more open to the positive things they experience. And such children are also often better equipped to handle their hyperactivity, insufficient concentration, lack of self-control or other behavioral disorders," says Marcela Iliadisová.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.