In Cayambe, Ecuador, the Daughters of Charity want to respond to a crucial need for cultural openness by offering young people a space for growth and hope through music.

Since 1911, they have been supporting the community of Cayambe, a town of 45,000 inhabitants located at the foot of the Cayambe volcano (5,790 m) in the eastern Ecuadorian Andes. This region, rich in history and culture, is home to both mestizo and indigenous populations.

Today, Sr. Lucila and two other sisters continue this mission at the Unidad Educativa Fiscomisional Mariana de Jesús, where more than 1,000 students receive a comprehensive education for the heart, body, and mind.

Many families have very low incomes and survive on odd jobs or work in the fields. Children and teenagers sorely lack cultural spaces and activities, and they do not have many opportunities to express themselves or develop their talents. 
“Many teenagers spend their free time in harmful ways (drinking alcohol or taking drugs). This abuse leads to conflictual behavior. This lack of opportunities limits their vision of the future and their ability to plan ahead.” Sr. Lucila

The project: to create a music workshop for 300 children and teenagers aged 10 to 15

The objective is twofold: to offer children a space for artistic and personal development, and in the long term to enable the creation of music groups, future music schools, or integration into conservatories:

- Organize weekly music, singing, and physical expression classes
- Purchase instruments (piano, guitars, saxophones, trumpets, drums, etc.)
- Offer concerts within the school and in the community
- Involve families, specialized teachers, volunteers, and the parish.

Et pour assurer la continuité, l’équipe prévoit aussi de développer des activités génératrices de fonds : concerts ouverts au public, participation à des festivals, ateliers pour d’autres écoles…

And to ensure continuity, the team also plans to develop fund-raising activities: concerts open to the public, participation in festivals, workshops for other schools, etc.

This project is much more than just music!

"This student orchestra is a wonderful opportunity for them to develop their artistic abilities and community spirit.
We want these young people to regain their self-confidence by discovering that they are capable of great things, to steer clear of danger by having something positive to do, to dream bigger and see that they can become agents of change in their community, and to forge bonds with each other and with the adults who support them." Sr. Lilauc

If the project is funded beyond its target, the surplus donations received will be allocated to a similar project.