HeartStrings: Bringing music to the children of Nicaragua

Oct. 19, 2010 - PRLog -- “The greatest gifts are tied with heartstrings.” This old adage certainly holds true as volunteers with HeartStrings, a new program of Wichita-based nonprofit Trees for Life International, begin their first endeavor—to deliver 200 quality Manuel Rodriguez & Sons classical guitars to children in remote and impoverished areas of Nicaragua. http://www.booksforlife.org/heartstrings

The guitars, which normally sell for $350, can be provided to children in Nicaragua for only $50 each. The guitars are considered factory seconds and have only minor cosmetic flaws. Along with the instruments, instructional material also will be provided.

“Music is the international language of the heart; it can truly change lives,” said Ann Garvey, who along with Richard Crowson lead the HeartStrings’ volunteer group. “We hope to provide tools with which these children can bring to life the music in their hearts.”

According to Garvey and Crowson, the name HeartStrings is a natural extension of the Trees for Life philosophy—empowering people to combine their unique skills and work toward a common goal of improving their lives.

In 2009 Balbir Mathur, president of Trees for life, was awarded a classical guitar made by the world-renowned Manuel Rodriguez & Sons as a token of appreciation for speaking at a conference in Spain. Mathur, who readily admits to lacking even rudimentary musical skills, smiles at the irony of being gifted a guitar, and says he simply asked the guitar maker if the instrument could be donated.

“I’m not the person who needs the guitar,” Mathur recalls saying. “It’s the children of Nicaragua who need this guitar. Their hearts will sing with such a gift.”

“These children are the poorest of the poor,” Mathur explains. “They live in a country with nearly a 70 percent unemployment rate. Families are lucky if they have enough food for their next meal.”

He told the guitar maker that Books for Life, an educational branch of Trees for Life, has helped establish 50 libraries in Nicaragua. “Your guitar will go to one of those libraries, where many children can enjoy the music of your precious gift.”

The manufacturer not only responded “yes” to this donation request, but once aware of the villagers’ need, made an additional 200 guitars available.

Now Garvey and Crowson are leading the effort to get these guitars into the hands of the children. “This is a movement in which anyone can participate,” Crowson said. “For only $50, someone can provide a quality instrument. Or, a share of a guitar can be given for as little as $5.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.booksforlife.org/heartstrings, call Trees for Life at (316) 945-6929, or send a check payable to: Books for Life, 3006 W. St. Louis, Wichita, KS.

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About Trees for Life: Trees for Life demonstrates that when a few dedicated people work toward one common goal, something extraordinary happens. The combination of their diverse skills creates a force that can move mountains. We use that force to empower people in developing countries. http://www.treesforlife.org

Books for Life is our educational branch that introduces children to the joy of reading and learning. http://www.booksforlife.org