Players' Stories

Gibrilla Kamara (Gbo)

Gibrilla (Gbo)

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Gibrilla Kamara (Gbo)

Gibrilla (Gbo)

My name is Gibrilla Kamara (Gbo), and I am 33 years old from Sierra Leone, West Africa. After the conflict in my country, I spent seven years living on the streets of Freetown. It was a tough time, but it helped me discover who I truly am and what I want for my future.

I was once a lost and traumatised young man with no hope. Coming from a community filled with violence, bullying, and poverty, I witnessed unemployment, drug abuse, depression, and trauma all around me. Facing these challenges was a difficult journey, but learning music, and photography helped me see these problems in a new way.

I used to be full of anger, but now I am using the arts to help others. I treat everyone with dignity, respect, and compassion, no matter their background.

Joining Dovetail Orchestra has been an amazing experience. Being part of the Orchestra has given me the chance to perform at events, play my country’s music and sing – and play saxophone, something I never imagined I could do! My confidence has grown so much, and I feel more humble and eager to learn and give back to society.

The staff and team here are very supportive and encouraging, providing me with the help I need. This environment not only boosts my confidence but also gives me hope for the future. It has allowed me to connect with people in the arts community and build meaningful relationships that enrich my journey.

The orchestra has helped me find purpose and meaning in the arts. My story shows how creativity and empathy can transform lives.

Samira

Samira

I lived in Iran. I had a bachelor’s degree in painting and was teaching painting. My sisters and brothers got married.

When my father passed away, it was the saddest day of my life, and from that day on my siblings left the house to live with their respective new families.

The fear of losing my mother came over me. This was the beginning of my anxiety and depression, but I didn’t believe I was depressed. When my mother died, I lost all hope in life, I felt like the ground had collapsed under my feet and I was the loneliest person.

I couldn’t stop crying. I wanted to change the decor of my house, but living in that space was not comfortable. There were memories of my parents.

I had to migrate, a path full of challenges and facing my fears. God was by my side and supporting me, I could feel it.

When I arrived in Bristol, I joined this band on the advice of a friend to fight depression. In the beginning, it was very difficult. After every music session, I would cry for hours in my room. The friendly behaviour of the group made me continue and now I feel better when I see my friends in the group, who may not be in less pain than me but still manage to keep in a good mood.

I consider myself a strong person because I fought my fears and my sorrows and today I laugh the loudest.