Sonido del Movimiento
Donation protected
Hi!! Thanks for visiting our page. Many of you probably know a little something about this project; Sonido del Movimiento (Sound of Movement). For those of you who aren't familiar, Sonido del Movimiento is a new project using music and dance as a tool to foster resilience, engage with emotions, and promote empowerment among children particularly within Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras (also known as "The Northern Triangle").
In 2014, the U.S. witnessed the migration of approximately 90,000 children, primarily from these three countries, into the United States. Unfortunately, many Americans--myself included--were not aware of the dire conditions the children within the Northern Triangle were experiencing. That same year, myself and 17 members from Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church of Pennsylvania volunteered at the orphanage Casa Aleluya in San Bartolomé Milpas Altas, Guatemala. That experience revealed the heartbreaking motivations behind the recent migrations. Upon arriving back to the U.S., I began course work at The New School in NYC researching and investigating the social, political, and economic circumstances surrounding the child migrations out of the Northern Triangle. The poverty, violence, and the overall deterioration of the region's infrastructure made any proposed resolution to the migration "problem" insufficient. This left me, and many others, with an inner discontent regarding the general approach to the region's larger problems.
It was during my research/writing and volunteer work with organizations assisting the migrated children in New York when I realized the kids currently living in The Northern Triangle could also benefit from some intentional attention. As a result, Sonido del Movimiento was developed; not only to purposefully acknowledge the children living within the region, but to also provide them with a playful creative means to express and build upon the resiliency they already possess.
While I have personally worked with musicians and expressive arts therapists within the United States during the first stages of this project: Sonido del Movimiento's aim is to provide ownership and agency to the children and community within the aforementioned countries. Therefore, the substance of the curriculum will be decided primarily by local citizens but of course with the help of the children whom the project seeks to serve.
Right now, the inception of the project is beginning within the confines of Caras Alegres: an amazing non-profit in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala that serves women and children from some of the poorest neighborhoods in the region. With the help of Caras Alegres, the project conducted it's first set of "pilot" classes with the children who are currently attending the afterschool programs at Caras Alegres. During this "piloting" time, we were able to better understand the needs of the children, as it pertains to the project, as well as receive feedback from the kids about their likes...and dislikes! :-) In efforts to best implement the children's desires, as well as the goals mission, we selected a bright psychology student and dancer from the local university who will teach the project's classes once the project is officially started this Spring.
The project is set to last approximately 8 weeks, one class each week. The teacher will facilitate a class using music and dance to help magnify characteristics like self-esteem, leadership, and other similar concepts.
In order to fulfill the needs of this project, we need your help. The money raised now will go to: (1) Caras Alegres--to allow them the opportunity to integrate this project into their program offerings and so that they can adequately demonstrate the positive use of this project to their supporters, (2) the project teacher, (3) the use of outside teachers, dancers, artists to ensure the excellency of the art forms, and (4) supplies and other materials for the children.
In the event you are not familiar with this project, I'm almost certain you are personally familiar with the impact of music and dance on the human soul. I, personally, had the great honor of growing up in a household of music teachers and musicians. And I am elated to see that the effects of music and dance on children during developmental years has been a growing interest in modern psychology and other social studies.
Unfortunately, kids in the Northern Triangle often times don't have the ability to live like a kid. But not only does Sonido del Movimiento hope to help in building a resiliency in the face of this reality, we also intend to build a space where kids can be kids through the enjoyment of music and dance.
If you have any inquiries or feedback regarding this project, it's development, or costs please feel free to email us directly at [email redacted] .
We look forward to your partnership in this endeavor!
For more information on Caras Alegres go to: http://carasalegres.org/
-or-
check out the recent article written on the organization at: http://lahora.gt/caras-alegres-el-lugar-en-donde-ninos-y-madres-de-quetzaltenango-reciben-formacion/
In 2014, the U.S. witnessed the migration of approximately 90,000 children, primarily from these three countries, into the United States. Unfortunately, many Americans--myself included--were not aware of the dire conditions the children within the Northern Triangle were experiencing. That same year, myself and 17 members from Huntingdon Valley Presbyterian Church of Pennsylvania volunteered at the orphanage Casa Aleluya in San Bartolomé Milpas Altas, Guatemala. That experience revealed the heartbreaking motivations behind the recent migrations. Upon arriving back to the U.S., I began course work at The New School in NYC researching and investigating the social, political, and economic circumstances surrounding the child migrations out of the Northern Triangle. The poverty, violence, and the overall deterioration of the region's infrastructure made any proposed resolution to the migration "problem" insufficient. This left me, and many others, with an inner discontent regarding the general approach to the region's larger problems.
It was during my research/writing and volunteer work with organizations assisting the migrated children in New York when I realized the kids currently living in The Northern Triangle could also benefit from some intentional attention. As a result, Sonido del Movimiento was developed; not only to purposefully acknowledge the children living within the region, but to also provide them with a playful creative means to express and build upon the resiliency they already possess.
While I have personally worked with musicians and expressive arts therapists within the United States during the first stages of this project: Sonido del Movimiento's aim is to provide ownership and agency to the children and community within the aforementioned countries. Therefore, the substance of the curriculum will be decided primarily by local citizens but of course with the help of the children whom the project seeks to serve.
Right now, the inception of the project is beginning within the confines of Caras Alegres: an amazing non-profit in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala that serves women and children from some of the poorest neighborhoods in the region. With the help of Caras Alegres, the project conducted it's first set of "pilot" classes with the children who are currently attending the afterschool programs at Caras Alegres. During this "piloting" time, we were able to better understand the needs of the children, as it pertains to the project, as well as receive feedback from the kids about their likes...and dislikes! :-) In efforts to best implement the children's desires, as well as the goals mission, we selected a bright psychology student and dancer from the local university who will teach the project's classes once the project is officially started this Spring.
The project is set to last approximately 8 weeks, one class each week. The teacher will facilitate a class using music and dance to help magnify characteristics like self-esteem, leadership, and other similar concepts.
In order to fulfill the needs of this project, we need your help. The money raised now will go to: (1) Caras Alegres--to allow them the opportunity to integrate this project into their program offerings and so that they can adequately demonstrate the positive use of this project to their supporters, (2) the project teacher, (3) the use of outside teachers, dancers, artists to ensure the excellency of the art forms, and (4) supplies and other materials for the children.
In the event you are not familiar with this project, I'm almost certain you are personally familiar with the impact of music and dance on the human soul. I, personally, had the great honor of growing up in a household of music teachers and musicians. And I am elated to see that the effects of music and dance on children during developmental years has been a growing interest in modern psychology and other social studies.
Unfortunately, kids in the Northern Triangle often times don't have the ability to live like a kid. But not only does Sonido del Movimiento hope to help in building a resiliency in the face of this reality, we also intend to build a space where kids can be kids through the enjoyment of music and dance.
If you have any inquiries or feedback regarding this project, it's development, or costs please feel free to email us directly at [email redacted] .
We look forward to your partnership in this endeavor!
For more information on Caras Alegres go to: http://carasalegres.org/
-or-
check out the recent article written on the organization at: http://lahora.gt/caras-alegres-el-lugar-en-donde-ninos-y-madres-de-quetzaltenango-reciben-formacion/
Organizer
Krissy Lynn
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA