Sigma Alpha Iota

SAI Philanthropies, INc. In Their Own Words: People-to-People Project By Dr. Liana Valente, People-to-People Director E ach year in the Spring issue of PAN PIPES, the People-to-People Project celebrates the work accomplished during the academic year. This time, I thought our readers might enjoy hearing directly from some of our music colleagues that have received assistance from the project. In the next few pages you will read about our continued work in Haiti, Tanzania, Ecuador and, closer to home, in Gainesville, FL. You will also read about the work chapters have done to support the People-to-People Project as well as information about current initiatives. To all who have donated time, material, and financial support to SAI Philanthropies, Inc., you are most sincerely thanked! Zanmi Lasante Fanfare Band in Cange, Haiti The People-to-People Project has been assisting the Fanfare Band in Cange for the past three years. I work closely with Jacquelyn Williams, Director of Sant Art ak Kouti (Centre d'Art) in Cange, to fill the musical needs of Maestro McClay. Thanks to the assistance of the Boston staff of Partners in Health, our project is able to send instruments and accessories on Partners In Health cargo ships that depart from a shipping port in Miami, FL. The staff has also taken instruments as carry-on baggage when flying to Haiti. "These gifts have benefited enormously our young people who compete vigorously for the privilege of playing in the Fanfare de Cange. Once hooked into music, these students have no time to get into trouble. Our two organizations, Eglise Bon Sauveur (the Episcopal church of Good Savior) and the secular Partners in Health work hand in hand for education and health. For both, we endorse [William Congreve]'s adage that music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." — Jacquelyn Williams St. Constantine's International School – Primary Music Program in Arusha, Tanzania Delta Gamma initiate Maria del Valle began teaching English and music at St. Constantine's in August 2011. Prior to her departure from the United States, she applied for material assistance from the People-to-People Project; her school in Arusha had no music program and any materials she needed she would have to bring with her. The P2P Project arranged to send Maria a variety of 8 PAN PIPESSPRING 2013 sai-national.org At top, Mauricio Jimenez with Sinfonia por la vida students rehearsing in Ecuador. Above, Delta Gamma initiate Maria del Valle with her primary students at St. Constantine's International School in Tanzania. materials, including music education resources, listening guides, instruments, and Kodaly resources. "SAI People-to-People has helped me with the foundation of my curriculum. The help that P2P has provided has been very beneficial to my program. The resources that were donated definitely help me feel more confident as a teacher and were very beneficial to my students." — Maria del Valle Sinfonia por la vida in Ecuador The work of Sinfonia por la vida "brings a quality musical experience to children in Ecuador who subsist in the margins of society.  By providing students with instruments and instruction, they develop skills in music and beyond music that enrich their lives. As they learn to think critically and work together to interpret music, they develop self-confidence and a sense that they can achieve wonderful things in their lives." The People-to-People Project began assisting SAI National Arts Associate Dr. Albert Hunt, International Coordinator of Sinfonia por la Vida, in 2010. The project has shipped string, wind, and brass instruments to Ecuador, in addition to music, stands, strings and other accessories. "All donations have had an immediate impact on our organization and the children and community we serve because the donations are immediately put to use.  Instruments go straight to the children and they begin to receive instruction immediately.  The benefit is nearly instantaneous." — Dr. Albert Hunt The HONOR Center Residential Treatment Center for Veterans, Gainesville, Florida The HONOR Center (providing Hope, Opportunities, Networking, Outreach and Recovery) is a state-of-the-art residential treatment center for veterans. United Methodist Deaconess Nancy (Nan) Gordon is the Music Program Director at the 45-bed HONOR Center. The center has received gently used and new guitars, harmonicas, and electronic keyboards from the SAI Peopleto-People Project. Veterans who enroll in the HONOR Center Music Program commit to and follow a set of criteria: six lessons; passing a theory test; performing a service project in the residence; writing a letter of endorsement for inclusion in future grant applications; and participating in an outing to sing in the

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