CITY & VILLAGE: Kigali & Nyanza PROJECT LAUNCH DATE: December 2006
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS: Musician Jean Paul Samputu & the Mizero Foundation which was catalyzed by the LEAF International Project.
THE KIDS: 25 Orphaned Youth Street Kids in Kigali, which we call the Mizero Crew, 25 Nyanza Crew Orphans Dancers & Drummers
THE PROJECT: Created a Music Program with Instruments & Mentors
CURRENT WISHLIST: teachers salaries for Kigali Kids $100 monthly ($1200 annually)
WHAT’s GOING ON NOW? MIZERO CHILDREN’S TROUPE DEBUT INTERNATIONAL TOUR that kicked off at LEAF is culminating December 2007. The tour has been an amazing cultural exchange for everyone involved. LEAF provided support in the following ways: staff, logistics, medical services, fundraising, public relations, transportation, and more.
WHAT’s GOING ON Future? LEAF team will be going in August 2008 to support the Rwandan festival with the kids, visit the programs, support the youth, and assess current needs and our roles.
“WE ARE THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY, WE ARE THE WORLD IN THE COMMUNITY” -Jean Paul Samputu- Rwandese Performing Artist, Activist & Mizero Troupe

For more information see LEAF International Rwanda

VILLAGE: El Tejar PROJECT LAUNCH DATE: June 2007
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS: Peg Partners & David LaMotte
THE KIDS: The music program is serving 187 kids weekly! 107 Elementary Aged kids have basic percussion &joy of music classes twice weekly. The 80 Middle School kids have formed indigenous music bands and have classes twice weekly as well. All of these children are poor even by Guatemalan standards, and are attending school on scholarships.
THE PROJECT: Created a Music Program with Instruments & Teachers at El Tejar village school
CURRENT WISHLIST: • two guitars• eight recorders• one mandolin • one marimba• one violin •teachers salaries $80 monthly ($1200 annually)
WHAT’s GOING ON NOW? David LaMotte, Peg Partners, & LEAF International representative Sarah Hipp will return to Guatemala January 9-19th 2008. They will be visiting lots of schools, seeing the progress of the music programs, and what other villages would be a good match for future programs.

For more information see LEAF International Guatemala

VILLAGE: Boquete PROJECT LAUNCH DATE: March 2007
“I am now dreaming of a Casa Esperanza Orchestra”. Elia- Director
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS: CASA ESPERANZA & Musician Gordon Brown
THE KIDS: The music program is serving 200 Indigenous Indian children ages 4-16 kids weekly! Humberto and Marselino are local musicians who have become mentors to the kids. They are working on the school anthem and a Latino ballad. The programs are going fantastic- the kids would love to have more classes and more instruments.
THE PROJECT: Created a Music Program with Instruments & Mentors
CURRENT WISHLIST: • two guitars• one drum kit• two accordions • 12 xylophones • finger symbols •1 set of Congas • teachers salaries $100 monthly ($1200 annually)
WHAT’s GOING ON NOW? LEAF team will be going in winter 2008 to implement Phase 2 with more instruments.

For more information see LEAF International Panama

VILLAGE: Vallodalid PROJECT LAUNCH DATE: February 2008
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS: Sister Cities
THE KIDS: Indigenous Children who live in an area where most people are barefoot.
THE PROJECT: To created a Music Program with Instruments & Teachers at a local rural school.
CURRENT WISHLIST: Any Latin rhythm instruments • accordion • violin • teachers’ salaries $100 monthly ($1200 annually)
WHAT’s GOING ON NOW? Asheville Sister Cities Crew will be going to Mexico in February. We are planning for a kickoff ceremony and presentation will take place during this special visit.

For more information see LEAF International Mexico

COUNTRY: The Grenadines PROJECT LAUNCH DATE: January 2008
COLLABORATING ORGANIZATIONS: Bequia Community High school
THE KIDS: Teens that are in a rural island school.
THE PROJECT: To created a Steel Drum Music Program with Mentors
CURRENT WISHLIST: Steel Drum Pans • Caribbean rhythm instruments • teacher’s salaries $100 monthly ($1200 annually)
WHAT’s GOING ON NOW? A LEAF International team is currently raising funds for the Steel Drum Pans and coordinating how they will be shipped to Bequia. We are planning to do a formal presentation and ceremony in January.
NOTE: Bequia is where the idea for LEAF International was formed.

For more information see LEAF International Bequia