“I can see that the music has really changed the kids. They smile and forget their problems. Irma and the Orphanage Staff have been doing physiology reports of the kids. The kids in the music programs show a significant improvement in attitude, behavior, concentration, and working together.”
-Professor Ovidio, LEAF International Panama Coordinator & an extraordinary Symphony Musician & Teacher
“We have seen a change in all the kids in the music program.”
-Volunteer directors Pat & Bob Moyle.
Project Overview
The Music Summer Camp has become the highlight of the program with intensive workshops in guitar, flutes, percussion, folk dancing, singing, music reading, keyboard, and jewelry art. The camp culminates with the kids performing in the Boquete Jazz Festival. The camp identifies those children who really want to be dedicated music students. These children receive scholarships that provide them weekly lessons. In addition, there are special event workshops and performances throughout the year.
Through this program students receive:
- Guitar, Flutes, Keyboards skills
- Latin Percussion skills
- Folk Dancing classes
- Vocal training
- Music Reading experience
- Jewelry/Art Making experience
- Performance experience at local seasonal public concerts and the International Boquete Jazz Festival
- Opportunities to participate in an intensive summer music camp
- Opportunities to attend Saturday music classes at the local university: UNACHI
Background of Program
Like all LEAF International programs, LI Panama started because of relationships connections and needs coming together. Jennifer Pickering had been advised by a Rwanda program member that Boquete, Panama would be a wonderful place that would respond well to this kind of program. A LEAF staff member had just relocated to the city of Boquete and he coordinated with Gordon Brown who was living there. Gordon Brown established the relationship with Casa Hogar Trisker. The program was responded to beautifully.
So many talented people and volunteers have come together to create this exceptional music program. Gordon Brown led the way, and rallied the Boquete community to support these efforts. What has happened here has been miraculous and beautiful. As the years have passed, the program has evolved to meet the needs, talents, and potential of the children at the orphanage.
Boquete is in the northwest Chiriqui region with 20,000 residents. This area hosts the sacred Quetzal bird, revered by Latin American civilizations. The majority of the indigenous groups are the Ngobe Bugle people comprising one of the seven indigenous populations in Panama. They live in The Comarca Reserve outside of Boquete, which is a hard place to live and many suffer from hunger. Their traditional types of work are extinct. The women often make chaquiras, traditional beaded necklaces and chacaras, traditional woven shirts which are both still worn today. Many of the men work in coffee fields. Boquete is also a respite for ex-pats, and host the international Boquete Jazz Festival.
Featured Stories
The Orphanage:
Casa Hogar Trisker was founded in September 1994 to fulfill what had become a dire need when cases of abandoned, abused or unwanted children were appearing in Maternity and Children’s Hospitals. The number of children housed at Casa Hogar Trisker at any time varies from 25 to 40 according to need. The children often live in fear or learn to consider crime as a normal part of life. It became more evident that a safe haven for the protection of these innocent victims was urgently needed.
The children provided for include:
- Autistic and mentally challenged children.
- Children who have been abandoned by their parents or extended family.
- Girls who have been sexually abuse.
- Girls who are mothers before the age of 13 with their babies.
- Children who have been sexually, psychologically and/or physically abused.
- Street children who have lived mostly without family guidance or care.
- Babies with special physical needs.
Teachers of the LI Panama Program:
Music instructors: Profesor Ovidio: Symphony & Chiriqui Mariachi with over 20 years of professional work dedicated to connecting youth to music. He teaches in the School of Music at UNACHI (Universidad Autónoma de Chiriqui). He is the founder and director of the UNACHI Symphony, and the founder of Chiriqui Mariachi Band, and holds degrees in music and education. He is the leading coordinator of the LI music program.
“It is a dream come true to teach Ngobe Indian children music.”
-Marselino, Ngobe Indian Guitarist
Marselino Sanchez is an Ngobe Indian who teaches guitar in the Panamanian Folk Rhythms traditions. He works at Café Ruiz coffee processing factory up in the hills, and raises his grandchildren. Years ago he suffered a leg injury, and his brother brought him a guitar as a diversion during his extended hospital stay. LI has allowed him the opportunity to revive his love of music. He is a dedicated teacher, and was thrilled to have his 1st plane ride when he came to LEAF.
Other music instructors: HUMBERTO, PEPE CALAVERA, PROFESSOR EDGAR REYES, GLORIA NARANJO, JORGE O’BRIAN ROSEMAN CAJAR
Dance Instructor: ANDREA ARIAS FALLAS,Costa Rican Professional Dancer
Visit to the LEAF Festival:
One of the highlights of LEAF and LEAF International was having a group of Casa Hogar Trisker children, the LI Teaching Artists, and the Director of the Orphanage come to LEAF. They performed, did LEAF in Schools & Streets cultural exchanges, they played, and it was a journey of a lifetime and the first time they had left Panama- it was a miracle that Gordon Brown brought to life!
Boquete Jazz Festival:
The Music Summer Camp at Casa Hogar Trisker Orphanage was the highlight of the year and exceeded all expectations and the students of the program were considered one of the most interesting acts at the Boquete Jazz Festival!!
Partners
- Casa Hogar Trisker Orphanage-- Casa Hogar Trisker is a government program to care for children in transition. The orphanage currently looks after approximately 50 children picked up homeless from the streets of Panama. The facility houses children from under one year through 18 years of age. Many of these children are orphans, others abandoned by parents too poor to care for them. Occasionally the younger children may be adopted. The local villagers fundraise to pay for school uniforms, books, toys and equipment for the children. They also try to provide fruit and vegetables to support the dietary needs of the often malnourished children. Staff at the Orphanage, include a social worker, psychologist and teacher.
- Professor Ovidio of Music Program at UNACHI, University in Boquete.
- Antonio Singh Organizer of the Boquete Jazz Festival
Reflections of LEAF Staff
“LEAF International: Panama is changing lives in a profound way. This trip reinforced my conviction that music has the power to transcend socio-economic, geo-political, or even self imposed barriers. I am honored to be associated with such a powerful program." -Steve Thompson, LI Ambassador Panama 2009.
“Upon out first visit, it was more akin to a prison than a home for abandoned and orphaned Ngobe Indian children from new born to 16 years old. Three years later, Casa Hogar Trisker has come alive with music and a renewed connection and respect with the local community. The kids in the music programs are regular performers in the town square, at the international Boquete Jazz Festival, and LEAF brought a group of the orphans and teaching artists to LEAF as performers.”
- Jennifer Pickering, Founder and Executive Director of LEAF
