These Haitian children hone their musical talents amid gang violence

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Rebecca Serin, a 9-year-old girl, recently fled the Delmas 30 area with her family to seek refuge in Tabarre, another northeastern Port-au-Prince commune, after bandits stormed her community and killed several worshipers inside a church. Amid the growing insecurity, Serin, a 4th grader, has started learning to play the piano with the dream of becoming a great pianist through the music program at the École de l’Espoir. Despite the impact gang violence and political instability have had on her life, music brings her joy.

“I want to play the piano. When I go to church and see the musicians playing, I wish I could play like that, too. My dream is to be a dancer and a pianist,” Serin told The Haitian Times, fashioning a big smile.

On Dec. 20, the music program at the École de l’Espoir—an elementary school—will celebrate its 10th anniversary of supporting children, especially those from the Delmas area, through music. At École de l’Espoir and various other schools, primary and secondary students learn to play musical instruments, become mentors, and begin performing in their community. Serin is just one example of approximately 500 children for whom the music program plays a significant role in their development.

“Despite all the challenges, the results are more or less satisfactory when you look at the children’s progress and their enthusiasm to come to learn and play music,” said Emmanuel Piervil, director of the “Plezi Mizik” (joy of music) program at the school.

“We continue to move forward step by step, with classes and rehearsals ongoing,” Piervil told The Haitian Times during an interview. “During interruptions due to violence, the children never stopped calling us, showing their interest in the program.”

Indeed, Serin’s testimony confirms Program Director Piervil’s words. The girl, who dreams of becoming a renowned dancer and pianist known for her talent, is grateful for the music program. She now focuses solely on the piano, as she can no longer attend dance classes since fleeing her area.

However, she remains committed to her childhood dreams.

“Because of the turmoil in the country, my mother no longer sends me to dance classes, as she fears I might become a victim if there is a shootout between the police and violent individuals,” Serin said, sharing her story in the presence of the communications officer of the music program.

Ten years of music education for children through challenging times 

In Haiti, children are the most vulnerable group in the face of multiple crises, including natural disasters, sociopolitical and economic instability and armed gang-led violence. As of this year, criminal groups control more than 80% of the Haitian capital. Currently, children make up half of the 800,000 people who have fled their neighborhoods across the country.

Haitian children’s rights to education, health, food, and living in a safe environment are constantly violated. Working together, various non-governmental organizations, such as the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) and Music Heals International, strive to assist these children, particularly in education and psychosocial support, primarily through music.

“We started with 60 children from a classic school of Sean Penn and a community development center (CDC). Now, we have more than 500 children in the music program. At first, we had only one school, but today, the program includes seven schools.”

Emmanuel Piervil, director of the “Plezi Mizik” (joy of music) program at the school.

This music program was established in 2014, four years after the earthquake, at the initiative of American singer and volunteer Sara Wasserman, founder and executive director of Music Heals International (MHI). She accompanied American actor and film director Sean Penn, founder of CORE, formerly known as the J/P Haitian Relief Organization (J/P HRO), which assisted Haiti’s earthquake victims. Wasserman observed children’s interest in learning music and their enthusiasm for playing instruments in the camps. Partnering with CORE, MHI has brought music education to many in Delmas 32 and in communities beyond.

“We started with 60 children from a classic school of Sean Penn and a community development center (CDC). Now, we have more than 500 children in the music program,” says Piervil, who has been involved in the project since its inception. “At first, we had only one school, but today, the program includes seven schools.”

Over the past 10 years, Music Heals International’s music program has experienced ups and downs. However, its coordinators have never given up, constantly adapting to remain in children’s service. While the program does not reach all categories of children in the country—only those from the seven affiliated schools and the community center—it has provided significant support to its beneficiaries.

Charline Honoré, educator and director of l’Ecole de l’Espoir, emphasizes that the music program is also open to children with disabilities among the beneficiaries.

She discussed the many benefits the project brings to the lives of children with special needs, as well as its impact on their academic performance and on the autonomy of children without disabilities.

“I want to play the piano. When I go to church and see the musicians playing, I wish I could play like that, too. My dream is to be a dancer and a pianist.”

 Rebecca Serin, a 9-year-old girl

“The program makes children, especially those with social needs, more motivated,” Honoré said to The Haitian Times.

A choice without regrets for the children in the music program

Jose Abigael Cétoute, 22, was 12 when she joined the Plezi Mizik program initiated by MHI at the École de l’Espoir. This year, she celebrates her 10th anniversary with great satisfaction. At first, she wasn’t particularly interested in the program. Out of 30 participants, she was one of the last students to sign up, encouraged by instructor Piervil. Since joining the piano training, Cétoute has no regrets about embracing the idea of participating in the music program.

“From 2014 to 2024, I can say that it has been a beautiful experience during which I discovered myself in the music project,” confided Cétoute, who grew up in the program. 

“This choice really helped me; for example, it made me more motivated and resourceful. I became more positive because of the changes that the music lessons brought to my life,” she added.

Apart from being trained by the program, Cétoute, in turn, supervises other children who gradually join the music project. She explained that this role and the skills she has learned have helped her earn an income through the program and gigs at different venues, such as churches.

“Besides the trainers who motivate us, what I also like is when they pay us each month as mentors or supervisors in the schools affiliated with the project during music classes,” rejoices Cétoute. “This program does a lot for our lives. For example, after the earthquake, many children were traumatized, and the program helps them, just as it helps me with my stress.”

Honoré echoed her sentiment. “Every time the children know they will have music classes, it motivates them even more because they know they will have fun, showcase their talent, and feel valued, as they have something to offer to society,” the director of  École de l’Espoir explained.

Program managers deplore the impact of continuing insecurity on children

For its 10th year, the music program has navigated the insecurity that has paralyzed the proper functioning of various activities in the country over the past four years. The schedule of musical activities is not always followed, as it is adjusted depending on the security situation.

For example, some schools affiliated with the program, including one located in Christ-Roi, are no longer able to operate or continue classes and rehearsals in preparation for the 10th-anniversary celebration. To adapt to the situation, the children are forced to meet at the School of Hope.

Like Piervil, Honoré is aware that insecurity has consequences for children, who are traumatized and sometimes distracted by the constant sounds of gunfire.

“Yes, the situation affects the children. Sometimes, adults think they are the only ones suffering from the impact of insecurity,” said the director who advocates for inclusive education. 

“When the children arrive at school, they are distracted, and we help them refocus. However, insecurity can sometimes cause the children to regress in their learning.”

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These Haitian children hone their musical talents amid gang violence was first posted on December 27, 2024 at 8:26 am.