Never Lose Hope

Almost two years have passed since the January 12^th earthquake devastated most of the Port au Prince and Leogan area, and much continues unchanged.

When foreigners come, they see at first-hand that the catastrophe was not the source, but only a catalyst of the already existing social-economic problems plaguing the Island. The most asked question is “is there hope?”

After seeing endless tent cities still housing six hundred thousand people, heaps of trash on most streets and what seems to be a society built on chaos, it is difficult for people to see hope.

Remy - Music Teacher

Remy is one of the persons that makes me see hope. He is the example that people are creative, take initiative and can influence society to change. Remy is a guitar player who decided to take action rather than wait, and dedicate himself to help others. He decided to teach music/guitar to children from tent cities as a way to give them an education and also give them safe haven from the harmful environment they must face everyday.

At the beginning of this year, after the Haiti Music School workshops, he began the course. He had no guitars, no paper, no chalkboard or anything to teach with. But he had hope, and a group of 15 children eager to learn.

After some donations from Brazil were organized to support Remy’s idea, now there are seven guitars that he is using to teach kids. He is teaching them every Monday, with a bright smile on his mouth and knowing what he is doing is helping some children to have hope to their future.

Perhaps he is a long shot from the music school that he would like to have, with not much structure or materials to teach the kids. But at least he is doing what very few are willing to do and is living proof that there is hope.

Written by Ruben Celeti – working in Port-au-Prince with MAIS // Edited by Matheus Ortega - Global Changemaker

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