Programs That Empower

Composing Futures

“If all children were given the possibility to play an instrument, I think this is something that could take them far for as long as they live.”

– Madame Yvonette Garçon Fanfan

Principal of Ecole de Notre Dame du Mont Carmel (MHI Partner School)

Research from the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute shows music training supports a “developmental crescendo” in children that contributes to social, emotional and cognitive growth. Music instruction accelerates brain maturity with positive implications for “sound processing, language development, speech perception and reading skills.” It also engages areas of the brain responsible for decision making, focus and impulse control. We capitalize on this brain boost and music’s cultural importance in Haiti to build skills and attitudes that nurture success in music, the classroom and beyond.

Meet Janessa

“When I got into the music class, my mother [was afraid] I wouldn’t have time to study. But I told her that I would have a schedule so I could have a time for each thing. Now I apply myself better. I take more time to study and to do my homework and my mother is happier. I used to neglect that a lot in the past. I entered music class and I changed.”

Empowering Children with Disabilities

Through MHI’s music education program, children with and without disabilities learn and play together, exciting and inspiring one another and enriching attitudes of acceptance, generosity and human potential. MHI also offers a dedicated class for young children with disabilities to promote early intervention supporting the development of communication skills and self-expression. These classes not only help children thrive, but support our teachers’ growth, as well.

360-degree learning occurs as students with disabilities broaden peers’ and teachers’ perspectives. James, a veteran music teacher and staff member, described how he gained self-awareness and a deeper understanding of what works in the classroom and in life.

Gaining Self-Awareness

“I remember I was teaching a class and all the children were distracted. Each one was doing something different. I had to use a lot of patience and tolerance to gather everyone’s attention and get them to focus so I could get the music lesson across. I was amazed by what I accomplished that day. Patience became something important to me as I realized that I could work with children of any kind. If everyone truly used patience, people could accomplish great things, things that they would have never have hoped to achieve.”

– James Joseph Donatin

Field Agent/Teacher

Building Leaders and Community

Launched in 2017, MHI’s Summer Music Camp builds upon opportunities for peer mentorship at school by training youth to lead music lessons, which reinforces knowledge, teaches patience and improves planning and communication skills. The camp also gives children with no prior music training the chance to engage in creative, gender-balanced summer programming that increases access to music in a safe community space. Overall, this program enhances MHI’s model by increasing our capacity to educate children, deepening our impact on the individual and turning music students into role models who help create supportive communities.

Cultivating Peer Leaders

“Zazou is a teacher. … He still doesn’t have a drum set, but Zazou has a few pots and every now and then he drums on them. He shows other kids how to play the drums. Even I look at him play and learn how to do some things. It’s thanks to him because he has become a teacher in his neighborhood.”

– Raynald Romelus

Parent/Community Leader