Music as Sanctuary: Haitian Youth Turn to Instruments to Cope with Hunger and Rampant Gang Violence

Woodberson Seïde and his stepsister cautiously navigated the streets of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, to reach an afterschool musical program. During their journey, they were careful to steer clear of vehicles, motorcycles, and zones under gang control—a situation so dire that it recently led to a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing the deployment of an international armed force. Upon reaching the educational facility that hosts the program, 11-year-old Woodberson set aside his daily concerns, which often include eating just one meal a day. He and his family have been residing on the floor of a church since being displaced by gang activity.

Dressed neatly and eager to engage with his drum set, Woodberson joined hundreds of other children across Port-au-Prince who are immersing themselves in musical pursuits such as percussion, piano, and bass guitar. This serves as a form of emotional release, helping them cope with the surrounding violence and scarcity.

“Engaging with drums instills a sense of pride in me,” Woodberson commented.

For many in Haiti, the conditions appear bleak. The looming threat of gang recruitment hangs heavily on children as young as eight, confining them primarily to their homes. However, Woodberson and his peers, participants in a U.S.-sponsored music initiative, resist letting adversity define their future—a comfort not only to them but also to their parents.

“My son’s performances bring me immense joy,” stated Jean Williams Seïde, Woodberson’s father.

The afterschool program, initiated in 2014 by the U.S. non-profit organization Music Heals International, has grown from its humble beginnings with 60 children to a sizable group of 400. Funded at $160,000 annually, the program is offered across eight educational institutions. Many of its participants go on to perform in churches and local concerts, some even forming their own musical groups.

“In an environment as turbulent as this, the ability to offer a sliver of peace is extraordinary,” noted Ann Lee, CEO and co-founder of Community Organized Relief Effort, a California-based non-profit that sponsors the program.

Haitian musical styles vary widely, encompassing genres from rara to compas and mizik rasin. Teachers and students collaborate in selecting the types of music they wish to explore, which include an array of genres such as compas, reggae, rock, Latino, and African music.

Despite the disturbing backdrop of incessant gunfire, many participants gather twice a week for two-hour music sessions. “Music has a transformative power. It offers mental tranquility,” observed Mickelson Pierre, a former student who now instructs in the program.

Gangs are believed to exert control over nearly 80% of Port-au-Prince, resulting in the deaths of more than 2,400 individuals this year alone. The incidence of sexual assaults and kidnappings has also surged, causing families to hesitate in sending their children to educational facilities or even permitting them outdoor play. Gang activities have rendered approximately 200,000 people homeless.

In the past, Woodberson and his family lived in Canaan, a makeshift community for earthquake survivors. However, their settlement was invaded by gangs in April, forcing them to seek refuge in a Port-au-Prince church. “We lost everything when the gangs raided; we were left with nothing,” lamented Jean Williams Seïde.

Although Woodberson dreams of owning his own drum set, his father, a mail carrier, struggles to provide even basic nourishment for his four children. His mother, Nelise Chadic Seïde, earns a living by washing laundry and suffers from anemia, making the situation even more challenging. Despite these adversities, the family remains thankful for the little they have. “We may not have much, but we never go a day without sustenance,” she said.

Recently, Woodberson had the opportunity to perform a compas song. With an enthusiastic rhythm, he exemplified the essence of the musical band he is a part of, aptly named “Hope.” Following him was an all-female group, Plezi Music au Feminin, who took the stage to deliver their rendition of “Como la Flor.”

Ester Ceus, 17, another participant, expressed how playing the piano makes her feel at ease. “It brings out an energy in me I didn’t realize I had,” she stated.

According to Emmanuel Piervil, the music program manager, involvement in music has not only enhanced academic performance among participants but also alleviated parents’ fears regarding their children joining gangs.

With limited resources, instructor Raymond Jules Josue encourages students to practice rhythms by tapping on their bodies when they are not using instruments. Woodberson, always eager, often steps in as a substitute when his teacher is delayed due to obstacles such as roadblocks or gang-related disruptions.

“These educational spaces serve as lifelines, offering these children an escape from their challenging circumstances,” said Ann Lee. “It provides them a temporary haven where the dire situations they face can momentarily be forgotten.”

Reported by Coto from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Afterschool Music Program in Haiti

More about Afterschool Music Program in Haiti

• Music Heals International Official Website
• Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) Official Website
• United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Haiti
• Haitian Musical Genres and Traditions
• Statistics on Gang Violence in Haiti
• Impact of Afterschool Programs on Academic Performance
• Earthquake in Haiti: A Retrospective
• Current State of Poverty in Haiti