Empowering youth globally through musical traditions to enhance self-esteem, educate, and to develop skills, connections, and community. LI is a global outreach arts-in-education program that believes in local. LOCAL TRADITIONS! LOCAL INSTRUMENTS! LOCAL TEACHING ARTISTS!

LI connects with partnering organizations such as orphanages and schools where youth have their basic needs met. LI starts a music program (or acts as a catalyst with a partner) by connecting programs to local teaching artists, purchasing local instruments and costumes, and giving support for the program to take off. The results have been extraordinary, life-changing, and community shaping.

Impact

Since December 2006 Kick-off...
• 8 Countries  • 9 Programs    • 16 teaching artists    • 5 schools
• 3 Orphanages|Groups of Orphans   • 3 after-school programs|centers
• 720+ youth that have been involved in LEAF International
• 450 youth currently in LI Music Programs

	Guatemala		Tanzania
	Rwanda		Panama
	Bequia		Mexico
	India Wilmington Yoga Centerr		Haiti

Note from the Director

The LEAF Outreach Programs of LEAF International [LI] and LEAF in Schools & Streets [LSS] both grew out of seeing a “gap” and a “need.” Global Cultures have always been one of my passions. Since I started LEAF, I have learned that music and dance are the most powerful vehicles to keeping culture alive and connecting people. While traveling, I started to dream of a way to be able to connect deeper with the “locals” while “giving back.” While in Bequia, I inquired how many kids on the island were learning the local STEEL PAN tradition....only ONE! At the local school, I asked them if I secured instruments and a local teacher would they host a program...of course! LI was on its way.

LEAF was one of only two national festivals asked to present to the NEA council in response to their “Outdoor Festival Study.”  Most organization create 1-9 outreach programs annually. LEAF through LI and LSS create 60 annual ARTS-in-EDUCATION programs! LEAF is a small festival with a big vision and outreach. All gifts, donations and earnings are maximized to make a direct positive difference!

The vision for both LSS and LI is: community collaborations, that are low cost, high impact, LOCAL, and sustainable. We are all stronger together, and MUSIC & ARTS helps bring so much positive life to our communitites!
     -Jennifer Pickering, Executive Director & Founder

Timeline

2006 LI launchs project in Rwanda & Bequia
2007 & 2009  Mizero Children of Rwanda comes to LEAF
2007 LI Guatemala & Panama
2008 LI Mexico w/ Sister Cities
2009 Tanzania w/ Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots
2009 Partners with Playing for Change Foundation to build a music school in Rwanda
2009 LI Panama Kids + Teachers come to LEAF
2010 Patch Adams & LEAF Staff visit LI Guatemala
2010 Columbia w/ Ben Gradison
2011 India with Wilmington Yoga Center
2011 Teaching Artist Fredy Nganga from Arusha, Tanzania performs at  LEAF!