My name is Elsmarie Norby. I have lived in the town of San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico for 12 years, giving music classes to lots of children - in small rooms, churches, public schools in town and in the rural communities. Many little choirs happened and many concerts were given.
In 2007 I built a small house in a rural community near the center of San Miguel, called San Miguel Viejo (old San Miguel). As a photographer and musician, I wanted a quieter, less busy life. My first visitors were the local children, curious about the nice house, my little dogs and me. They were poor, hungry and not very clean because of their country circumstances - but with shy smiles and excitement about playing with the dogs and the promise of a cookie or two, they kept stopping by.
I got to know them and we began to do things together. First, I gave them new sharpened pencils with erasers to replace the useless stubs they had. Paper followed pencils, scissors, glue and colors followed paper. I was amazed at their ideas, concentration and creativity. I began to offer little snacks: simple sandwiches, fruit, cheese, juice. I noticed that several children tried to hide some of their food. They were saving it to take home to share with their siblings and parents.
I began to play music for them - they danced through the garden, sang even though they didn't know the song. They didn't want to leave. I had some books for children in Spanish - they sat in the patio and read. The little ones sat on the laps of the bigger ones. Even when it started to get dark, they didn't want to leave.
Needless to say, more and more children came. Friends began to donate materials and come to help. We needed a name--OJALÁ--this originates in ancient Islam meaning “God willing.” In present-day Spanish it precedes any expression of hope: Ojalá, it will soon rain.
OJALA is now a non-profit organization serving up to 120 children in this small community; giving classes in arts, music, English every week; taught by 12-17 dedicated volunteers. A small library is developing and, ojalá, the children will have access to it every afternoon: to read books and have a place to do their homework. Not all of them go to school, but here they all have a sanctuary for discovering, learning and creating.
OJALA is now a non-profit organization serving up to 120 children in this small community; giving classes in arts, music, English every week; taught by 12-17 dedicated volunteers. A small library is developing and, ojalá, the children will have access to it every afternoon: to read books and have a place to do their homework. Not all of them go to school, but here they all have a sanctuary for discovering, learning and creating.
