Christmas in July
Donation protected
Help Sonido del Movimiento support children in Guatemala using music + dance!
At Sonido del Movimiento, we believe in a spirit of giving all year round, so we’re inviting you to join us for “Christmas in July” from July 1st until July 25th!
Sonido del Movimiento has been working in Guatemala since January 2016. Our mission is: “[w]ith Christ, Sonido del Movimiento purposes to use music and dance with children in the Americas, especially Central America, to provide tools of resiliency, an ability for expression, & community building.”
As reflected in many of the current news stories on the conditions plaguing children in Guatemala & other Central American countries, the kids we serve struggle with poverty, violence, and family disintegration on a daily basis. We know that we can’t solve these incredibly difficult issues; however, we do believe that we can help the kids maintain and build resiliency in the face of their tough circumstances. As you may know, resiliency is often defined as the ability of an individual to bounce back and thrive in spite of difficult circumstances. Based on studies by researcher Bonnie Benard, the makeup of a resilient child includes a healthy social competency, a sense of identity and autonomy, problem-solving skills, and a sense of purpose & identity. So as an organization we work with local musicians & dancers to implement activities that include themes of resiliency while also focusing on community building.
As stated in our mission, the core of SDM is motivated by principles of Christianity, including love and humility. Christian faith, though not a requirement to participate in our activities, is common among many of the kids that we work with and among their families. Therefore, we hope to encourage kids to reflect on their personal faith, the world around them, and their future.
Additionally, children in countries like Guatemala often lack the opportunity to engage in the arts and other activities that fulfill higher developmental needs such as self-actualization, as described by Abraham Maslow in his “Hierarchy of Needs”. SDM is unlike many other development organizations in that our focus and belief is that these needs are equally as essential as basic needs such as food, security, etc. Moreover, through providing access to activities like music and dance that are most commonly associated with "higher needs", we are acknowledging that these children have an equal right of access to opportunities that recognize every aspect of them as a human being.
Our team is incredibly small and we operate on the service and gifts of people who support the vision of SDM. We are currently working with the children of local nonprofit organization Caras Alegres. Therefore, we work closely with this organization and use their space for the activities. We are also seeking to work with additional local Guatemalan organizations.
As we continue to develop, we are seeking funding to help with our program costs, including but not limited to:
+Development: assessments and interviews with the community, parents & children, monitoring and evaluation of our model and activities, working with the musicians and dancers on each activity;
+Administration: financial support for the musicians and dancers in facilitating the activities, stipends for volunteers/interns, compensation for staff, contributions to the local organizations, legal work, creating partnerships;
+Communication: promotional materials, media & website;
+Miscellaneous: Event costs, materials for the activities.
We’re so excited to have you partner with us in this work!
Any questions, please drop us a line at [email redacted]. We’re so grateful for any contributions you’re willing to make towards helping us support kids in Guatemala using music + dance.
Sonido del Movimiento is a registered 501 (c)(3) incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All donations are tax deductible. Our EIN number is 82-1132383.
At Sonido del Movimiento, we believe in a spirit of giving all year round, so we’re inviting you to join us for “Christmas in July” from July 1st until July 25th!
Sonido del Movimiento has been working in Guatemala since January 2016. Our mission is: “[w]ith Christ, Sonido del Movimiento purposes to use music and dance with children in the Americas, especially Central America, to provide tools of resiliency, an ability for expression, & community building.”
As reflected in many of the current news stories on the conditions plaguing children in Guatemala & other Central American countries, the kids we serve struggle with poverty, violence, and family disintegration on a daily basis. We know that we can’t solve these incredibly difficult issues; however, we do believe that we can help the kids maintain and build resiliency in the face of their tough circumstances. As you may know, resiliency is often defined as the ability of an individual to bounce back and thrive in spite of difficult circumstances. Based on studies by researcher Bonnie Benard, the makeup of a resilient child includes a healthy social competency, a sense of identity and autonomy, problem-solving skills, and a sense of purpose & identity. So as an organization we work with local musicians & dancers to implement activities that include themes of resiliency while also focusing on community building.
As stated in our mission, the core of SDM is motivated by principles of Christianity, including love and humility. Christian faith, though not a requirement to participate in our activities, is common among many of the kids that we work with and among their families. Therefore, we hope to encourage kids to reflect on their personal faith, the world around them, and their future.
Additionally, children in countries like Guatemala often lack the opportunity to engage in the arts and other activities that fulfill higher developmental needs such as self-actualization, as described by Abraham Maslow in his “Hierarchy of Needs”. SDM is unlike many other development organizations in that our focus and belief is that these needs are equally as essential as basic needs such as food, security, etc. Moreover, through providing access to activities like music and dance that are most commonly associated with "higher needs", we are acknowledging that these children have an equal right of access to opportunities that recognize every aspect of them as a human being.
Our team is incredibly small and we operate on the service and gifts of people who support the vision of SDM. We are currently working with the children of local nonprofit organization Caras Alegres. Therefore, we work closely with this organization and use their space for the activities. We are also seeking to work with additional local Guatemalan organizations.
As we continue to develop, we are seeking funding to help with our program costs, including but not limited to:
+Development: assessments and interviews with the community, parents & children, monitoring and evaluation of our model and activities, working with the musicians and dancers on each activity;
+Administration: financial support for the musicians and dancers in facilitating the activities, stipends for volunteers/interns, compensation for staff, contributions to the local organizations, legal work, creating partnerships;
+Communication: promotional materials, media & website;
+Miscellaneous: Event costs, materials for the activities.
We’re so excited to have you partner with us in this work!
Any questions, please drop us a line at [email redacted]. We’re so grateful for any contributions you’re willing to make towards helping us support kids in Guatemala using music + dance.
Sonido del Movimiento is a registered 501 (c)(3) incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All donations are tax deductible. Our EIN number is 82-1132383.
Organizer
Krissy Lynn
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA