Sunday, March 7, 2010

In the Eyes of a Haitian Child

(Purses made in Haiti, some from snack bags, are colorful and useful)


Some events in life give one hope for the world.

Last night, a concert in Western Massachusetts definitely fit that bill. Titled "In The Eyes of a Haitian Child," the special event drew a fairly good sized crowd out on a cold March night.

Marisa Massery, organizer of the concert, is a young woman who has traveled to Haiti through The Haiti Plunge, a program of COTY (Church Outreach to Youth Project, Inc.) in North Adams, MA.. More than 700 young people from Western Massachusetts have traveled to Haiti through COTY in the past several years to help dig wells, establish a bakery, subsidize schools, plant trees, and participate in other projects.

The concert organizer is vibrant, enthusiastic, and passionate about helping the people of Haiti. She did a commendable job of getting many people to perform at the event. She will be traveling back to Haiti with COTY within the next few weeks to help in the reconstruction, following a devastating earthquake in January that devastated the already poverty stricken nation.

At last night's concert, Luke Massery, a classical pianist and Marisa's brother, also performed as well as Michael TweedKent, cellist; and choruses from three high schools as well as singers from a private girls school.

During one song, sung and played on the piano by Marisa, slides featuring the children of Haiti flashed on the stage, touching the hearts of everyone in the audience.


COTY was founded in 1983. According to their website, its purpose is to "provide unique and challenging opportunities for youth to be of service to others and to make a difference in the world."

Dozens of young people at the concert sang with all their hearts and souls for the people of earthquake-torn Haiti. To see their faces, filled with hope and compassion, as they performed for people suffering greatly from tremendous losses, turned out to be a very moving experience for the audience.

During the intermission, representatives of COTY sold both small and large colorful purses made in Haiti from discarded snack bags of all kinds. Just to think objects of beauty could be fashioned from what Americans would consider trash boggled the mind. Also for sale were CDs of Marisa which included the song she wrote, also the title of the concert, "In the Eyes of a Haitian Child."

Proceeds will be used for the COTY Center's "LifeStraw" Project, which will provide special water purifying straws for the children of Haiti.

The whole evening turned out to be a totally uplifting experience. It was gratifying to see so many young people, on a Saturday night, using their talents for others who are broken and suffering in a foreign land.

12 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Life is so much better when we learn and give - it makes us grow. Our church has a school in Haiti - 100 kids - no child died, one teacher did, the school was damaged, but not destroyed. We are so lucky and blessed here!

Sandie

Susan said...

Thank you for reminding us that it is so much better to give than receive. AS Sandie said, we are really blessed here in America.

Susan said...

Hi Sandie! That's great your church has a school in Haiti. I'm so glad the children were safe. You are right, Sandie. We are very blessed to be in this beloved country. So glad you stopped by. Sincerely, Susan

Susan said...

Hi Susan! Happy you came to visit. You are so right. It is so much better to give than to receive. Take care and have a wonderful day. Sincerely, Susan

diane stetson said...

Our school has had many special collections at our Eucharist services to donate to Haiti. I love working in a Christian enviornment and I would have LOVED to have been at Marisa's concert. The Massery children are very talented! So happy you all got to support HAITI! xo

Susan said...

Hi Di...Thanks for your visit and comment. I think it's so important for everyone to help each other. That would make the world a much better place! Sincerely, Susan

Karen Lange said...

What a wonderful idea! Thanks for telling us about it. Have a great week!
Blessings,
Karen :)

Terri said...

What a wonderful way to help out!
Those bags are so creative.


Martha,from Martha's Favorites has asked me to contact you about helping you get the Tea Cup Tuesday button on your blog.
E-mail me and I will send you back some instructions. nliten@usa.net
Terri

Susan said...

Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope you have a great week, too. Sincerely, Susan

Susan said...

Hi Terri...Thanks for your visit. Hope you stop by again. Sincerely, Susan

BECKY said...

Hi Susan. Lovely post as always! Wise words!

Susan said...

Thanks, Becky. I appreciate your visit and comment so much! Sincerely, Susan

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