Moving Through Childhood Trauma - Sexual Abuse, One Note at a Time: Ageless Author Kyeni Matee: “The Eyes Behind The Violin: Finding My Identity” ENCORE Episode

Oftentimes the trials and tribulations of life drive us to pivot. That's the case today with this show. We decided to re-purpose a past episode, in light of the flurry of recent stories about child exploitation, abuse, and trafficking in the news. It's sobering. From the accusations against P. Diddy, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, to the sexual abuse scandal and settlement involving the Archdiocese of LA, and now a new lawsuit against WWE’s Vince and Linda McMahon, and so many other horrific stories scattered throughout communities near and far - ENUF! 😔

Statistics find that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse.  Experts say those numbers are much higher, but the prevalence is hard to determine because it’s not often reported. The most vulnerable are between the ages of 7 and 13.

Our guest -Kyeni (pronounced Chain-ee), a violinist and youth orchestra teacher from Florida is one of those statistics. She’s also a new author. Kyeni  documents her abuse which started when she was 7 or 8  and lasted for several traumatizing years, in her new book – “THE EYES BEHIND THE VIOLIN: FINDING MY TRUE IDENTITY.” Her moving story is one of survival and resilience. Her saving grace? Music, Therapy, and Faith. 

Kyeni and other innocent victims had their childhoods stolen, and the scars will follow them for the rest of their lives. It’s beyond time for abusers—men and others—to be held accountable. We can’t stay silent about this anymore. Please - if you see something, say something. And teach our children to know when something's not right. Protect our children. 

BIO: Kyeni Matee (Rechel Bryant Nganga) has a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She has been teaching with Osceola County Schools in Florida, for 25 years. She currently works as an Itinerant String teacher. Outside of school, she's the Orchestral Director of the Osceola Arts Youth Orchestra. She also runs a private music studio. Kyeni is an active professional musician and enjoys performing on her violin, playing the piano, and singing at church and other churches and venues around Central Florida. Rechel is married to Chuma Nganga Matee, who is from Kenya in East Africa. Rechel visited Kenya for the first time in 2010, and began a project: “The Parkway Kawelu Project.” It's allowed her to work with her students here in the U.S. and join Kawelu Primary School in Kenya. The schools worked together to raise money and help Kawelu, an underserved school in Kenya, refurbish its school. That program continues today but has gone through a metamorphosis. Rechel travels to Kenya every few years and takes community members, or students from her Youth Orchestra, to service projects like planting trees and performing at several schools. Find her book at most book-sellers, including Amazon.

Facebook: @kyenimatee
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