Ecuador's Music for Life program that AAI supports by facilitating the donation of musical instruments by the Inter-American Development Bank, was a treat for the ears.
The school provides a musical education to children from families with very limited resources who would otherwise not have the opportunity.
It was fascinating to watch children as young as six working alone or with a mentor (often a musician with the country's Youth Orchestra) in sound-proofed booths. The cacophony I expected before I entered the school turned into the faint sounds of well-played violins, flutes, clarinets and the gorgeously rich sound of cellos reaching me through the doors of the booths.
One child of about eight, meditatively leaning on his cello waiting for a lesson to complete behind a classroom door, illustrated the school's notion of teaching children discipline and patience.
Although the children come from under-privileged homes, studies have shown that by learning to play a musical instrument their chances of reaching university level increase by 10%.
Joseph Mutti
AAI Administration
American Airlines flight attendant Brian McGovern recently escorted Ever, age 13, a triple amputee, and Cynthia, age 9, who received a prosthetic leg, back to Sao Paolo, Brazil. The children were escorted part of the way by F/A Gina Ozuna who flew from her home in California to Atlanta just to escort these children to Miami where Brian took over. The following are his comments.
-------------------
The kids are winners who won my heart.
We traveled on AA 995 on the 26 of April from Miami to Sao Paulo. The first officer, George, offered his help right away after I explained what I was doing. He waited in Sao Paulo outside customs and immigrations for us to make sure everything went OK. He also waited in Sao Paulo on the other side of immigration to make sure I made my return flight and walked me to the gate.
On board the entire crew were incredible. Marina, Bridget and Walter kept the children's dinners warm while they slept, offered cookies and other treats, and even helped me brush Cynthia's hair to make her pretty for arrival in Sao Paulo. Walter waited at the exit of customs to ensure we cleared without any complications.
I was overwhelmed by their help and sincere warmth. They truly cared.
When I arrived at the airport in Sao Paulo for my return flight to Miami, lead agent Eduardo was so on top of things he had me ready for a fast efficient check in. He walked me to the immigration line and since I was in uniform assisted me to the front. I was treated like a celebrity.
The help from, the doctors, the host family, Candice from Childsping, Merrily from Airline Ambassadors, was the most important part for Ever and
Cynthia's trip. My part was, which was my honor, was to get them home, and what a
nice trip it was because of the everyone's kindness.
Brian V. McGovern
American Eagle MIA Emp# 614563
The first person I spoke to, as I left the airport to enter the cacophony of Port-au-Prince, was a woman seeking to offer me taxi service. While we were driving I asked her the natural questions about "l'événement" (the event) as Haitians discretely refer to the earthquake, seeking to put it behind them by using a non-specific word.
She told me she had lost her husband and that her dream was to own a tent where she and her new-born could live. A simple enough dream, but a huge challenge amidst the desperation of two million homeless seeking shelter.
As the car negotiated the mountain of rubble that is today's Port-au-Prince I found myself wondering what her dreams had been before the earthquake when her husband, alive and hopeful, cradled their new daughter in his warm arms.
Joseph Mutti
AAI Administration
Ecuador's Music for Life program that AAI supports by facilitating the donation of musical instruments by the Inter-American Development Bank, was a treat for the ears.
