1308 Productions has reached out to help start something new and worthwhile for the kids of Haiti. After months of preparation, its leaders and founders Allison Novack and Jason Novack traveled to Haiti on August 16, 2014 to participate in the opening ceremonies of a unique collaborative effort to make music education available to young, hopeful and excited children who did not otherwise have any access to music classes and musical instruments.
At the City Hall of Tabarre, Haiti, the Novacks were greeted by an outpouring of appreciation for the creation of a model program that will serve local kids there and which can possibly be replicated in other communities. 1308 delivered dozens of new and used musical instruments of many kinds. Allison and Jason spoke to over 200 children and another 100 adults about the value of music education for the future of the kids and their community. City officials made solemn vows of sustained support; the local government will provide classroom space, a multi-talented music teacher, as well as maintenance and security for the supplied instruments.
The initiative was cheered, and covered by the media, throughout Haiti. The notion that 1308 would care, and put that concern into action and produce actual, solid results, is a source of new inspiration for the kids, their families, and possibly their nation. As the presentation of 1308 highlighted for all to hear, the kids of Haiti represent the country’s future and their ability to come to City Hall, benefit from attention and music lessons, develop their talents and be recognized accordingly, and know that they live in a world that cares about them, it was all a very important positive development.
Officials in Tabarre intend to name the new music education program the “Novack School of Music, a Project of 1308 Productions.”
Here are some photos and videos from a very special Saturday in Haiti:
