The Life and Times… Page 2 of 4
Over the past year and a half, Ronald Serrano Moreno, the founder of amusic ministry in the very low income district of Trujillo called El Porvenir.another volunteer, Rachel Jurkowski, and I have been working hard tofor the music programWe recently have some good steps towards the organization of theproject by becoming an official NGO, as well as deciding on our officialname- CompArte Perú (a fusion of two spanish words- comparte
Gaining Momentum with the Porvenir Music Ministry
Something is changing in El Porvenir. Now, in somecorners of this heavily populated district, in place oftraditional games of fulbito (soccer played on a court),children come together to play violin, treating it as if itwere a small party. The motive? The results of aninnovative new project called “Comp-Arte Peru” thatwell-known Trujillo violinist, Ronald Serrano Morenodirects.“The idea,” says Serrano Moreno, “is to give childrenand youth with little economic resources theopportunity to accomplish their goals through music.Obtaining that kind of discipline, that confidence in thework they put into music can then be applied to other aspects of their daily lives as well.The results are easy to see. Not only have the childrenaccomplished learning a musical instrument, but nowthey also look at the future with much more optimism.“The purpose of the project is to stimulate andmotivate the lower class children using music. Theycome underprivileged, they don’t have many toys or games, but through music, we hope to help them sethigher standards and reach their goals” explainsSerrano Moreno.However, the motivation does not stop there as themost outstanding students of the project advance tobe a part of the Teófilo Álvarez Dávila Youth Orchestra(a group that has already given commended musicalconcerts around Trujillo.The project has even pulled in two young volunteersfrom the United States who have been working in our city (Trujillo) for over a year- Gillian Baikie and RachelJurkowski.Gillian Baikie is a cellist who graduated from the schoolof Education (correction: School of Interior Design) atAnderson University of South Carolina. Before livinghere, she had already visited Trujillo and had seen thecondition of some parts of Trujillo and wasn’t shockedby the poverty of the area. Her only problem uponarrival was in fact the language barrier, a stumblingblock that she has overcome, as she is alreadyspeaking like a “Trujillana.”Gillian teaches cello to the children and youth in ElPorvenir and is happier for the experience she has had.“It’s been great, a child gains confidence and thenthat ability in music serves as way for him or her to set
When Music changes Soccer for Violins”
"Project Comp-Arte Peru takesthe Arts to poor children- Two UScellists are part ofan importantcultural work
"
-La IndustriaSeptember 2008
meaning share, and arte meaning art).An exciting milestone for us was about 2 months ago, we wereinterviewed by the Trujillo Newspaper “La Industria” about CompArtePeru. A large article was printed in the Culture section of the mainnewspaper of Trujillo, meaning that we are also gaining morerecognition in the city.Here is the translated article, as well as a color copy of the photo thataccompanied the article:goals for his or her life, a way to grow as a person,” saysBaikie.Above all, she takes pride in seeing the progress of her pupils. To watch them as they are able to playbeautiful notes on their instruments and to see thesmiles on their faces. “They want to play, they love itand that love is contagious,” recounts Baikie, “Iremember one Saturday, some girls from theneighborhood found out about our project and cameby because they wanted to part of our group. The kidsin the project are an example for the other children.”Miss Baikie came to Peru with Peru Mission (MisiónReformada en Perú) and now, in spite of the meager state of the area, wants to stay another year andcontinue working with the children of lower incomefamilies. It has been here in Trujillo that she has mademany friends who have helped in everything, even inprocuring a cello for her to continue practicing her passion.“This project gives children the opportunity to rise togreater heights, to appreciate music more, to discover talents and to be an example for the other kids,” shesaid convinced.Likewise, her compatriot, Rachel Jurkowksi, whograduated from the University of Notre Dame inIndiana with a degree in Music and Philosophy, cameto Trujillo with the intention of doing volunteer work.“Ronald told me about the project and I told him ‘Sure,let’s go see,’ reflects Jurkowski.The beginning, as with everything, was difficult.Jurkowski was quiet, shy and the economic disparitywas an obstacle for her assimilation in Trujillo and withthe children. However, with time, she and her studentsbegan learning. “They loosened up a lot,” she says,“Now they laugh, converse, and there is a connectionbetween them that allows them to learn more quickly.”In fact, the majority of the children in the same positionhave a common, passionate desire to learn more andmore about music.“These children work so much harder because it is allthey have; and for that, they dedicate themselveswholeheartedly to practicing,” concluded Rachel.
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