Tags
Cateura Paraguay, Elizabeth Fais, Favio Chavez, Inspiration, J. S. Bach Cello Suite, Juan Manuel Chavez, KDFC, Music, Ray White, The Landfill Harmonic
This story takes place the slums of Cateura, Paraguay with a youth ensemble called The Landfill Harmonic. Their modest town is built on landfill, and the residents make their living recycling the garbage that is dumped there. In their town, a violin is worth more than a house.
Yet even in these harsh conditions, the beauty of music has become the main stay for a determined group of youth. Their instruments are made from recycled trash, but you wouldn’t know it by the pride they take in them or the beautiful music they produce.
Take nineteen year old Juan Manuel Chavez’s cello that is made completely of pieces found in the dump, built for him by the local men. Yet when Juan lovingly plays the J. S. Bach Cello Suite on this recycled instrument, the music is exalting.
The following quote by Favio Chavez, the Orchestra Director of The Landfill Harmonic encapsulates the power of the human spirit to rise above adversity:
The world sends us garbage. We send back music.
Watch the following video. Then if you’d like to spread a little joy this holiday season, share the video and its story with others. You can show your support for The Landfill Harmonic with a Like on their Facebook page too.
Recycled Instruments Bring the Joy of Music
What impressed you most about this story?
Caring is sharing! Pass on the love.
Elizabeth Fais 
Delightful! Thanks. *j
I cry every time I watch the video. I’m so proud of each and every one of those young people. I would love for their video to go viral. 🙂
That is SO cool. It is truly amazing what people can do. I teared up when one of the girls said she gets butterflies in her stomach when she hears the violin. How wonderful for those kids to be able to play music. Thanks for sharing this!
I was impressed by how these young people didn’t let the limitations of their day-to-day life stop them from reaching for something so totally outside their norm. They’re so brave, talented, and inspiring.
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for the inspiration and the sense of hope that your article carries.
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a joyous Kwanza to all.
Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad the Landfill Harmonic was as inspirational for you as it was for me. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a joyous Kwanza to you and yours as well!