PayTech is a proud supporter and sponsor for Now I play Along too, a non profit foundation (based in Virginia) that focuses on improving the lives of disadvantaged kids through the gift of music. Recently, PayTech received this wonderful email from Melodime explaining their latest trip and Music Camp that we helped to sponsor. We wanted to share this letter, picture and video so others can learn about this amazing effort!
“With the generous support from PayTech, a team of musicians from the nonprofit organization Now I Play Along Too (NIPAT) set out for their annual Summer Music Camp at Source of Light orphanage in Port au Prince, Haiti. The charity was established by the band Melodime to help provide opportunities for at-risk and underprivileged children to learn music but also with the dual purpose of building character and discipline to overcome obstacles. Learning a new instrument can be a very rigorous and challenging, yet fun process that helps define one’s character. Music also can unite those that may speak different languages and come from very different walks of life. Since starting the charity a few years ago, they have already delivered over 75 instruments and are supporting over 100 kids taking music lessons at the orphanage in Haiti. This is in addition to a few of the music programs in the United States.
During this year’s summer music camp the team delivered and repaired instruments, as well as taught music lessons to about 40 students with the assistance of several Haitian teachers. Each day the team gathered with the kids and led a high energy pump-up rally where everyone sang songs and danced. The kids love learning new English songs. After the group sing-a-long, everyone was split into smaller groups to receive music instruction from both the NIPAT volunteers and Haitian teachers from the Holy Trinity School of Music. Most of the students had already been taking lessons throughout the school year in violin, viola, trumpet, flute, acoustic guitar, and drums so they were divided into separate classrooms based on their instrument. It was amazing to walk through the orphanage courtyard and hear all the different instruments booming from the open classrooms. After hours of instruction and practice time, everyone enjoyed a break to play soccer and basketball in the 90+ degree heat. The orphans whooped on the teachers but it was worth every minute!
As the week ended, the team through a huge pizza party and concert! The pizza party was special because the summer camp is the only time the kids get to enjoy that type of treat. It’s becoming a tradition. The final concert showcased what they had learned during the camp. Each instrument group played a couple songs in front of their friends earning a roaring applause following as each one. It was such a joy to see everyone with huge smiles as they played in front of a crowd for the first time. To witness the ability of music to bring together different cultures, languages, and age groups to transcend differences was truly remarkable. It was a blessing to have been part of it and we will forever be changed.
We are incredibly grateful to PayTech for being our lead sponsor for the Summer Music Camp this year and look forward to partnering with them on future efforts to bring music and education to the kids at Source of Light Orphanage. Resources to provide music instruments and financially support music instruction for the Source of Light Center year-round are made possible by their generous supporters such as PayTech, Melodime fans, and others. If you would like to support this effort, please visit www.nowiplayalongtoo.org to make an online contribution or learn more.”
