BAJO LEMPE

Music for Hope is a dynamic, community music project for young people from the Bajo Lempa of El Salvador.

Inspired by the political and cultural heritage of the region's people, Music for Hope uses participatory music as a tool for community development.

The project was initially set up by musician, Katherine Rogers but is now entirely run by Salvadorean young people with support from the International Performer’s Aid Trust in the UK, the Igualada Town Council in Catalunia and a dedicated pool of donors and supporters.

Since it was established in 1996, Music for Hope has: -

• Taught 200+ young people to play a musical instrument  
• Provided instruments and teaching to 7 communities
• Trained 7 young musicians as music teachers
• Supported the development of 15 youth bands or ensembles
• Supported a multi-media project with young artists from El Salvador, Germany and Britain + UK tour (2000)
• Facilitated a cultural visit of young British artists to El Salvador (2001)
• Organised a Music For Hope speaker tour and music workshops in the UK (2003)
• Produced 2 live CDs of project bands

The International Performer’s Aid Trust has supported the living expenses of our music teacher team (mostly ex-project students) over a number of years. The Trust’s support has been absolutely vital to the growth and continuation of the project as state support for the arts in El Salvador is extremely limited and practically non-existent in poor rural communities.

Specifically, The International Performer’s Aid Trust has enabled us to develop the musical and teaching skills of 7 young musicians (with support from local professional musicians) and in so doing, enabled our team to pass on their skills to the next generation.

Music for Hope is currently planning a UK tour of one of the bands from the Bajo Lempa region, in addition to ongoing teaching, music and youth activities in El Salvador.

For more information about Music for Hope and our activities, please visit the website on www.musicforhope.originationinsite.com or contact Katherine Rogers on katherinemfh@hotmail.com