My name is Angela and my heart beats hard for Haiti. It was 2 years ago when I first met my new family and friends in Haiti, and I haven’t looked back. I am not a doctor, an engineer, or a construction worker, but I am a musician. I am trying to use what I have to serve a people in need. My own music and music education has helped to shape and define my life in countless, wonderful ways. This is something that I am very passionate about giving away.
PRO Haiti Music is a program inspired by the people it will serve. We believe in the power of music to transform lives and empower. I have seen music build confidence, kick-start healing (emotionally, spiritually, and even physically), and improve quality of life. I believe that many young Haitians not only deserve the opportunity to reap the benefits of musical education, but I also believe that many of them need it. Their natural love of music and dance has many of my young friends beyond excited about this opportunity to learn it for themselves! By contributing to this campaign, you are not only proving to these young Haitians that we believe that they are worth our time and effort, but you are actually helping to make this dream happen for them!
In January 2013 we will be implementing our first music classes! We will offer piano, guitar, and chorale classes, as well as opportunities for our students to perform and reach out into their own communities. We hope to include a level of music therapy in both educational and medical settings. These classes will not only be designed to teach music, but to build our students up!
We will also be regularly inviting American musicians, bands, choirs, etc. to come visit our classes and help pass on what they know (and put on a show for our students of course!).
To make this all happen (and at no charge to the students!), my goal is to raise at least $5,000. This will cover the cost of supplies that will facilitate learning as well as pay for the shipping of instruments to our location in Fonds-Parisien. This money will also provide for things like transportation when our students are ready to travel to surrounding villages to share their new gifts with their own people. This is, after all, about empowering them and turning them into givers and leaders! A small portion of money raised will help cover my cost of living while I am living and teaching in Haiti (however, I am fundraising and working separately to pay my own way as much as possible).
Please consider joining us by contributing to this campaign! What an incredible opportunity we have to be a part of something that is bigger than ourselves! If you cannot give at this time, please spread the word about PRO Haiti music on your social networks and keep us in mind!
For updates on the progress of this program, like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/ProHaitiMusic!!
Thank you and BONDYE BENI’W!!
