Haïti : In Port-au-Prince, Music Diverts Children from Gangs
In Port-au-Prince, Haïti , the sounds of loud disturbances are unfortunately all too familiar, often linked to the menacing presence of gangs that cast a shadow of fear over the city. However, there exist havens where children can escape this environment of violence by immersing themselves in the world of music.
These safe spaces attract hundreds of children from Port-au-Prince who come to explore the rhythms of drums, experiment with piano keys, or strum the strings of a guitar.
The nonprofit organization Music Heals International has made it their mission to provide an escape for these young souls, allowing them to momentarily forget the harsh realities of poverty and the daily terrors they face.
The scourge of gang violence in Haïti has already left nearly 200,000 people homeless.
Emmanuel Piervil, the guiding force behind this initiative, believes in the transformative power of music.
He points out that his students not only excel academically but also provide a sense of relief to their worried parents.
«Parents know that their children are at the music school, learning to play music, which puts their minds at ease and prevents them from getting entangled with gangs», he explains.
It is a sobering fact that gangs reportedly hold sway over as much as 80% of Port-au-Prince, with more than 2,400 lives claimed by violence just this year.
Incidents of rape and kidnappings have also surged, causing many families to hesitate when it comes to sending their children to school.
Fortunately, the Music Heals International school project has become a beacon of hope, offering parents solace and reassurance, knowing that their children are on a different path, away from the clutches of gang life.
Source: Africanews
