A Word from Katherine Rogers, Music for Hope’s Founder

Music for Hope started in 1996 as a collaboration between me; a then young enthusiastic music student, and a group of young musicians from the community of Nueva Esperanza. At that time, El Salvador was still reeling from the ravages of a twelve-year civil war in which more than 75,000 civilians were killed and over a million displaced, including the young musicians I was playing music with, who had grown up in exile and only recently been repatriated.  I had a tremendous respect for them and their communities and I wanted to give something back with the only medium I knew; music. Over the years this amazing initiative has grown beyond anything I could possibly have envisaged. Music for Hope now encompasses a range of partners, volunteers, trustees, teachers, community members and our hope-inspiring students. However, I am really proud that, at its heart, Music for Hope is still a grassroots initiative that really responds to young people’s desire to be creative, to have a voice and to give back to their communities.

Over the years, El Salvador has faced new challenges; hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, violent crime, gang warfare and ongoing structural inequalities.  Yet the people of the Bajo Lempa have risen to each new challenge and worked together to find solutions. Our students have played a key role in the transformation of the communities, both through supporting community events with their music, and using the skills they develop through Music for Hope to take up leadership roles.
Music for Hope is proud to be part of the history of the Bajo Lempa communities, and we look forward to walking with them into the future.