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Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semilla ("Planting Seeds") Your Donation will be heard in the near future.

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Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semillas

Sembrando Semilla ("Planting Seeds") Your Donation will be heard in the near future.

Sembrando Semilla ("Planting Seeds") Your Donation will be heard in the near future.

Sembrando Semilla ("Planting Seeds") Your Donation will be heard in the near future.

Sembrando Semilla ("Planting Seeds") Your Donation will be heard in the near future.

Jeff Leauby
Jeff Leauby
Jeff Leauby
Jeff Leauby
1 Campaign |
Philadelphia, United States
$1,945 USD 25 backers
64% of $3,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

Si de una semilla se puede cultivar una flor. Y si de un pensamiento
Se puede componer una cancion.  Y si de una semilla
Se pudiera componer una canción  pues eso seria una maravilla.

Short Summary of our "Sembrando Semilla" (Planting Seeds) Project

Jeff and I need your help.  We are organizing a project helping support the musical needs for the people of Cuba.  Cuba's music organizations and related school programs need instruments and music accessories. Our objective is bringing musically related items to help them continue their musical interest with up-to-date equipment and accessories. We spent the last 2 years planning a way to get to Cuba and it's finally becoming a reality.

Our original plans included taking an industrial container full of instruments to Cuba and distributing them to school systems with a shortage of music items. Our dreams met reality when we discovered a great idea is not as simple as it sounds. We realize starting small is the best way to approach our music instrument drive.  This April we will donate music accessories to a Cuban orchestra while also building relations with other music organizations to learn about their music needs.

Milton's thoughts:

On April 5th we venture on our mission "Sembrando Semilla" (Planting Seeds). Our current goals are downsized to reflect reality. Jeff and I will meet with organizations in Cuba, visiting schools and getting to know the people we hope to help.  Furthermore there are current discussions in the media about the embargo and how our government is easing restrictions on Cuba relations. Does this mean we should not go forth with our dreams and goals?  I don’t think so. That’s why on April 5th, approaching quickly, we will be on our way! It may take years to undo what over 50 years of the embargo has done to the progress of Cuba and we are not waiting any longer - the time is now! I have always taken an interest in music and Cuba.  Latin music has been an inspiration to me; it’s instilled in my heart and culture. Planting this seed in Cuba and in our local community will guarantee us the development of future artists and exceptional music.

Our concept for this project is to plant seeds, not actual seeds, but a seed of hope, enjoyment, and opportunity that will last a lifetime for many. Our message is with the right tools and education there is nothing a child cannot accomplish. I had a seed planted in me growing up in the city of Philadelphia. I had several seeds planted in me my whole life; from Aspira that taught me how to find my first job, to a father who taught me the value of hard work.  As a child I was exposed to music but never had the opportunity to take lessons and grow.  It took 30 years but I finally enrolled in ALMA (Artístas y Músicos Latino Americanos). The instructors took a seed of music that was dormant and brought it to life. In the short period of time I was there I came to realize that I must be involved in the arts one way or another. I am continuing my education Studying Digital Video Production at CCP (Community College Of Philadelphia) and now I hope to plant seeds in others to help them grow their musical talents. So planting seeds in Cuba is our first stop.  Wow I’m excited about this project to be able to help a student become the musician of tomorrow by planting this seed and I hope you are also.

Jeff's thoughts: 

 Cuba has so many genres of music including Son Montuno, rhumba, Afro-Cuban jazz and salsa; all of these have influenced so many new styles in our society throughout history. We wish to support the next generation of Cuban musicians and you can be a part of this experience.  A little over 2 years ago Milton and I met with my friend Pamela Martin to discuss Cuba where she has traveled in excess of 65 trips. She expressed the desperate need for music instruments and accessories from her personal experience with the Cuban people. Pamela has a close relationship with a Cuban orchestra called Camerata Romeu (this is our first recipient of our donated strings and accessories) in addition to many others in the related arts field. I have known Pamela's family for over 15 years and it's great to be visiting Cuba with her. My background includes working in music related fields such as composing, recording and music licensing. I current live in the Philadelphia suburbs and have known Milton for over 5 years; it's a great pleasure to be working Pamela and Milton on this Cuba venture.

What We Need & What You Get

We are very excited about this project but it will not be successful without your financial support. Our main goal is to purchases musical supplies (violin, viola, cello and bass stings, rosin, blank sheet music, pencils and anything else) and to transport to those most in need.   Your financial support is critical to our success.  Should funding exceed our goals than even more supplies will make it to Cuba on our initial trip.

We will document our activities through still images and video recording to share with our donors. See Perks for Details.

Thank you for your help in supporting our project!

The Impact

What impact will your donations make? As our instrument drive develops, students in Cuba will have the tools they need to learn to play a musical instrument and continue to fill our future with new artistry. Not every one of these students will become great musicians, but we believe music makes an impact in all of our live. “Learning music facilitates learning other subjects and enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. A music-rich experience for children of singing, listening and moving is really bringing a very serious benefit to children as they progress into more formal learning,” says Mary Luehrisen, executive director of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation, a not-for-profit association that promotes the benefits of making music.

We have both seen the impact music plays in people’s lives and without the proper tools it’s just a little more difficult to achieve. We can only imagine what the music future holds when you pair music skills with basic music necessities. 

Other Ways You Can Help

We know not everyone can help fund this project but there is still something you can do. If you have a new or used small instrument or accessory that are not being used consider donating it to our cause. Please share this worthwhile cause with friends and family. So make some noise about our campaign. Use the Indiegogo share tools! It’s just a little click away to begin Planting Seeds /Sembrando Semillas.

Feel free to contact Milton at mitlons123@gmail.com if interested in sending a physical donation.


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Choose your Perk

Pledge $5.00 or more

$5 USD
Pledge $5.00 or more You get a personalized thank you note!
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
0 claimed

8 X 10 Photo

$25 USD
8 X 10 photo from our trip to Cuba. This will be the best looking photos selected for print.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
4 claimed

Sembrando Semilla T Shirt

$50 USD
Receive a Sembrando Semilla t-shirt once we return from Cuba. See Image Gallery for t-shirt design.
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
3 claimed

Picture Book

$100 USD
Receive a picture book of our best photos from Cuba!
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
3 claimed

Picture Book & T-Shirt

$150 USD
Receive both a picture book and t-shirt!
Estimated Shipping
June 2015
1 claimed
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