Haiti Earthquake Commemoration Event

This Monday marks the five year anniversary of the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. Over 250,000 people lost their lives, and millions more were left homeless. Amidst the tragic loss, the Haitian people came together, risking their lives to rescue loved ones and strangers, sharing food and resources and finding strength in each other, in their faith and in music. 

To honor those who perished in the earthquake and to reflect on the impact it continues to have on the Haitian people, local non-profit BLUME Haiti will host a screening of the 2011 film Kenbe La-Hold On.

Filmed before and after the Jan. 12th, 2010 earthquake, Kenbe La chronicles the work of musicians and teachers of the Holy Trinity Music School in Port-au-Prince and the Dessaix Baptiste Music School in Jacmel. Their experiences illustrate the ways in which music education contributes to building strong character and supportive communities to help combat the intense needs that exist throughout the country. These stories reveal music's ability to heal and unite even amidst the most challenging circumstances.

Freewill donations will be accepted before and after the film screening to benefit BLUME Haiti (Building Leaders Using Music Education in Haiti), a registered 501(c)(3) organization. BLUME Haiti seeks to use music as a tool to change the life trajectory of Haiti’s children, helping them transform themselves and their communities. From its headquarters in Appleton, Wisconsin BLUME Haiti reaches out to individuals, foundations and corporations willing to support our mission and collects materials and supplies (instruments, sheet music, music-stands, strings, reeds, etc.) which are then distributed to various programs in Haiti. This year BLUME Haiti will reach over 5,000 students at eighteen music programs from throughout Haiti.