El Sistema, Venezuela
Led by organist, economist, and politician José Antonio Abreu, FESNOJIV (the State Foundation for the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras), more commonly known as “El Sistema,” teaches music to 300,000 of Venezuela’s poorest children. It is a tested model of how a music program can create both great musicians and dramatically change the life trajectory of hundreds of thousands of a nation’s neediest kids. Amongst its graduates, El Sistema has nurtured international musicians such as Edicson Ruiz and Gustavo Dudamel and the world-renowned Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra.
Yesterday while in North Philadelphia at a men's homeless shelter I was very much aware that this is the type of area where so many children are living with very little hope of the future. Just like in Venezuela it is the El Sistema concept that might possibly change these children to have hope. This in turn would give them the motivation to have a more productive life and break the cycle of desperation. I shared with about 50 men who were jobless, homeless and hungry that I was going to Venezuela to be part of El Sistema. There response was overwhelming. "Brother, I'm going to pray for you" several men told me. It was if they woke from a deep depression and had a since of hope that I was concerned for their children. The experience of meeting with these men for the past month every Thursday with my friends Phil and Jennifer Beaufort, David Allen and Cheryl Sanfacon has really changed me. It makes one realize that when you desire to help others in need, you become the recipient of a far greater blessing.
Hasta luego
Dad,
ReplyDeleteits great that you are on your way to El Sistema. I hope that you learn a lot, so you can bring some great ideas back to the states. save the music!!
Hey Tom,
ReplyDeleteHope you will get some sleep on the airplane! And that the peanut butter made it down to Venezuela with you. We look forward to being part of the adventure. Susannah