Actor, supermodel, and humanitarian Patricia Velásquez, founder of MHI’s partner organization in Venezuela: The Wayuu Taya Foundation, highlights the transformative power of music within Indigenous Wayuu communities.
MHI’s added value to The Wayuu Taya Foundation and the Wayuu community
Music Heals International has been an incredible partner, understanding as we work with communities that face deep challenges, poverty, lack of water, and food insecurity. Through MHI, Indigenous children have found joy, expressed themselves, and felt a sense of pride in their heritage. What is even more powerful is how it has brought people together. Wayuu children learning to play and sing have invited families to gather, creating moments of unity and connection. I remember one time during a community gathering, a young Wayuu boy who had always been very quiet picked up the drums for the first time. His smile lit up the entire space, and his parents watched with such pride. The way his drumming connected everyone in that space, even just for a moment. That is what Music Heals has brought to us, those moments of unity, pride, and pure joy.
Why music education is a priority for The Wayuu Taya Foundation
For us, music has been a bridge to possibility. In communities where children often live in incredibly challenging circumstances, music becomes more than just a form of expression, it becomes a path to hope. I have seen how Indigenous children, who grow up with very limited opportunities, have found strength and confidence through music. It is not just learning to play an instrument; it is learning to dream, to believe that something greater is possible.
Music offers them a way out of poverty, not just in a physical sense but in their hearts and minds. Many of these children have faced hardships that have taken away their self-esteem and their hope. When they pick up an instrument, when they sing a song, you can see something change. There is light, there is pride, and there is a belief that their voice matters. It gives them something to hold onto, something to believe in, even when life around them is incredibly hard.
I have seen it with my own eyes, how a child who barely spoke in class suddenly shines when given the chance to play a song. How a young girl who once looked down at the ground now stands tall with a guitar in her hands. These moments are everything. They are reminders that no matter how hard life is, there is beauty, there is art, and there is hope. For The Wayuu Taya Foundation, making music education a priority has meant restoring that hope and giving our children the courage to dream again. It begins with the child, touches the family, and brings the community together.
How MHI helps celebrate Wayuu culture in Venezuela
None of this would have been possible without the support of Music Heals International, their belief in us, and their patience with our community. They have worked hand in hand with us, not only providing the tools but also teaching us how to teach the children. Even though we cannot always be physically present, it is incredible how technology has allowed us to stay connected. Through virtual sessions, we can keep in touch with the children, the teachers, and the amazing team at Music Heals.
Their commitment has brought music to life in communities that otherwise would not have had access. Through this partnership, Indigenous children have learned to perform traditional songs, connecting them with their roots and sharing that pride with their families. I remember watching a group of young Wayuu girls singing one of our traditional songs for the first time. You could see the pride in their faces, not just for performing the music but for carrying forward a tradition that has been passed down for generations.
Music Heals has not only helped us preserve our culture but has empowered our children to embrace it with pride. It has kept our traditions alive, strengthened our identity, and created a space where our children can feel proud of their heritage and dream of a brighter future. And for me, to witness this, to see the smiles, to hear the music, and to feel the hope is something that I will always treasure.