Youth Music - Music is Power

Music brings hope to disaster struck Haiti

Posted Monday, 8 February 2010

On a miserable, cold Monday in February, let's be honest it's hard to feel inspired, yet despite the unimaginable suffering the people of Haiti have endured, new hope is gradually emerging, with music beginning to lift the spirits of the troubled nation.

Inside Disaster reports on how despite the turmoil around them, young people who have survived the devastating earthquake are still hanging on to their dreams.

Since losing their homes many of the survivors are staying in Camp Guatemala where in recent days their tired and traumatised minds have been soothed by the voices of a group of young musicians known as Negrillon.

Despite not initially finding the energy or will to engage in music making when disaster struck, the young musicians and fellow campers are now finding solace through their music. The group rehearse and sing each evening bringing calm, comfort and hope to all those around them.

The talented youths were in the process of recording their first ever album when the quake hit, but miraculously some of their recordings have survived, though the studio itself has been reduced to rubble.

Although so many in Haiti have lost their homes, family members, friends and all they possessed, these young musicians have not lost their passion for music.  Food, water and clothing are still in short supply but music is bringing new hope to a much troubled island. The Inside Disaster blog sums this up perfectly:

"As long as there is youth playing music, there is hope. There is a chance to heal, to rebuild. Culture is at the core of a peoples society, culture is quality of life. Culture didn’t get crushed in the rubble. Spending 2 hours in this oasis of youth, beauty and warmth is proof to me. I forgot how music has the power to stop time, to recharge the inner soul."

To see Negrillon perform and talking about the importance of music in their lives, take a look at the video below:

 

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