LEAP – Learning Enhancement Africa Program
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
As water can be imprinted with coherence-inducing information, so too can sound be used as a medium for resonance-based approaches to health and wellbeing. This makes audio particularly practical in schools, where large numbers of children can participate together. It offers several advantages:
- Rather than providing an individual dose, many children can listen to the same audio.
- While water preparations are generally focused on specific information, a sound recording can contain multiple sequences of information over time.
The Learning Enhancement Africa Program (LEAP) is a sound-based program developed by Peter Chappell in 2014. It consists of three components:
- LEAP 1 – supporting resilience and wellbeing in relation to infectious diseases
- LEAP 2 – supporting stress reduction, trauma recovery, and emotional balance
- LEAP 3 – supporting learning and educational development
To fully enjoy the benefits of education a child needs to be healthy, free from stress and possess good learning skills. LEAP is designed to support a child on all these levels. Beyond intellectual learning, LEAP is therefore also about the body-mind learning how to deal with infectious agents and how to process trauma.
First results
LEAP was first tested out in several schools in Kenya. Data regarding absenteeism and learning
performance were gathered from before and after LEAP. The results were very encouraging. Heads
of schools reported:
- Significantly improved absenteeism (up to 80% less)
- Reduced hospital reference for children falling sick during classes
- Children with epilepsy, caused by birth trauma or cerebral malaria, had significantly less attacks
- Reduced stress levels and less behavioural problems
- Improved school performance in end-of-term tests
Watch these videos for getting an impression of the impact headmasters reported. What was very touching is that all head teachers of LEAP-schools that were interviewed spontaneously reported that the relationship between children and teachers had improved a lot, so much so that the cane had now become a relic of the past.
Absenteeism Decrease in % in 16 Schools
Before LEAP
Absenteeism before LEAP was introduced, measured over 3 trimesters
After LEAP
Absenteeism after LEAP was introduced, measured over 3 trimesters
Decrease
Percentage of the overall decrease of absenteeism in schools
The impact of LEAP on absenteeism and school performance is remarkable. After using LEAP for one year in 16 schools, average absenteeism decreased by 65% compared to the previous year (see graph).
One of the first schools adopting LEAP was Marega Primary School. After a full year of using LEAP the mean school performance measured through state examinations had increased by 26%. After four years of using LEAP the school scored second best of all primary schools in Kenya. An extraordinary result, as the school has minimal means and is situated in a poor rural area that is regularly hit by excess rains and floods.
These results suggest that LEAP can contribute to children’s health, wellbeing, and educational development, helping them build a healthier and brighter future. The program can be implemented widely across Africa using simple, readily available equipment: an MP3 player or speaker and a USB stick. See below for the simple LEAP protocol.
- Potential benefits for children and their parents include:
- Improved wellbeing and fewer episodes of illness
- Lower healthcare costs through reduced need for medical care
- Improved learning outcomes, supporting progression to secondary education and creating greater opportunities to pursue their aspirations and develop their talents
LEAP for All Ages
LEAP was originally developed for schoolchildren, but its focus on wellbeing, resilience, stress, trauma, and learning is relevant across all stages of life. LEAP can therefore be used by people of different ages. Available as a free app, it can be accessed by anyone with a smartphone.
Contents of LEAP
The information incorporated into LEAP is embedded in music and is not audible to the listener. It addresses three broad areas:
- Health and resilience – supporting wellbeing and resilience in relation to infectious diseases and their short- and long-term impacts, including HIV, parasitic worms, malaria, typhoid, tuberculosis, ringworm, scabies, diarrhoea, syphilis, gonorrhoea, and lower respiratory tract infections.
- Trauma and emotional wellbeing – supporting recovery and resilience following injury, bereavement, war and genocide, shock, orphanhood, rape, and other traumatic experiences, including responses associated with survival instincts.
- Learning and development – supporting learning-related abilities such as awareness, creativity, grounding, concentration, focus, numeracy, literacy, and problem-solving.
LEAP-Protocol for Schools
It is recommended that LEAP be played at the start of each school day. Depending on the available sound equipment, it can be played to individual classes or to the entire school community. Children are encouraged to relax and move freely while listening.
Teachers can observe and document potential changes such as:
- Improved attendance and wellbeing
- Greater attention and openness in class
- Improved learning outcomes and academic performance
- Signs of broader development in learning and classroom engagement
How To Listen for Individuals
It is recommended to listen once daily. Find a quiet place where you can be alone for a few minutes (or, if this is not possible, use headphones). While listening it may be helpful to keep the eyes closed. You may find it helpful to move with the music, or to breathe deeply or sigh as you listen. If any sensations or emotions arise, just observe them and allow them to pass by.
