Donor: Multiple Donors
Local Ally: Fundación Sidoc
Beneficiaries: 100 children
Location: Cali, Valle del Cauca
Fundación Sidoc understands that music can be a gateway that teaches children to break cycles of violence by abandoning the dynamics and spaces that foster violence in their communities. In hopes of creating a program that builds confidence, compassion and tolerance, they created the Children and Youth Symphony Orchestra of Siloé, a marginalized neighborhood in Cali. Through this musical initiative, they have been able to target children living in rough circumstances, among these family disintegration, negligence, child labor or abuse, and drugs, a chance to break free from the violence.
This project gave 100 boys and girls within the ages of 7 to 15 the oppotunity to improve their lives, develop their social skills through music, and become agents of peace and reconciliation in their communities. This last point is achieved by having the orchestra performace every two months throughout the district, with the purpose of reappropriating the few spaces available in the community for healthier and more peaceful activities, which in turn raises awareness in other children and teenagers of Siloe.
Apart from providing children with the musical instruments to take part in this program, such as violas, violins, and cello, we also supported three teachers and one program advisor who counseled the students on social issues.
