By Kelley McGarry | Cofounder
This year has been extremely difficult for our Haitian partners. The stories told and videos shared with us have self-evidently highlighted the extreme severity of their situation. In the wake of political unrest, gang violence has rapidly escalated, introducing a new level of fear to the citizens of Haiti. By burning down houses, schools, and businesses, while kidnapping innocent civilians for ransom, the citizens of Haiti are left feeling hopeless. They are left with no option but to pull together all that they can carry on their backs and watch their life’s work burn.
Our Global Partners, Symphonik Ecole de Musique, have often had to close their facilities due to an overwhelming level of danger. When stepping out onto the street became dangerous, students attempted to connect for lessons online. With poor internet access and a common lack of electricity, this has left students at a great loss in their educational journey; however, amidst the pain and suffering, our partners have also dictated to us stories decorated with the language of hope and redemption, with a strong determination to persevere and once again find stability and joy within their homes and communities.
As a small nonprofit based in music education, our resources can do so much for our friends in Haiti; however, Musicians for the World has been searching for ways to bring hope and joy to this impossible situation. We have joined forces with the Hungry for Music Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that collects used musical instruments and donates them to underserved youth. Since forming this partnership, MFW has been able to fundraise and send 27 instruments to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The founder of Symphonik Ecole de Musique, Angelo, has gone on to create yet another wonderful organization called “One Child, One Instrument, One Future”. This project seeks to prevent juvenile delinquency in Port-Au-Prince by accepting and distributing these musical instruments to children all over Port-au-Prince. We are so honored to continue working with this incredible individual, Angelo, and to continue offering our support to both him and his music students.
As these 27 instruments make their way to Haiti, we look forward to sharing more stories of joy with all of you, our incredible donors, who make moments like these possible.
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