Motor disabled learn to make and repair string instruments

(Caracas, November 3, 2010).- A new hope for young people and adults with motor disabilities in the care of the Venezuelan Paralysis Pro-Cura Foundation (Fundaprocura) is that they will now be able to learn the skills of the luthier (making and repairing stringed instruments) and contribute with their work to the art of music. The project is supported by CAF - Latin American development bank – and the Foundation of the Venezuelan National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras (Fesnojiv) – attached to the Office of the Vice President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The idea behind the project is to organize a training program on repair and fabrication of instruments for a group of people with motor disabilities. The project will offer specialized training and create opportunities for employment with the orchestras sponsored by Fesnojiv which – due to the large number of children and youth who participate in music training in Venezuela – require a sizeable volume of instruments and services associated with their repair.

During the signing of the agreement on November 3 between Fundaprocura, Fesnojiv and CAF, representatives of the three institutions toured the workshops where the luthier program will operate, which are equipped with modern tools, specially adapted for people with motor disabilities. The students had the opportunity to shake hands with maestro José Antonio Abreu. Others present were Jose Barroso, national luthier coordinator of Fesnojiv, and Henry Parra, coordinator of the luthier unit in Caricuao, who were responsible for implementing the training and equipping of the project.

“For CAF – Luis Enrique Berrizbeitia, financial vice president, said – creating synergy with Fesnojiv and Fundaprocura to produce this beautiful initiative will strengthen the institution’s efforts to offer more opportunities to citizens to develop their intellectual, physical and spiritual capacities, and foster values of respect, work and solidarity which contribute to social integration and bringing peoples closer together.

Berrizbeitia added that the funds granted by CAF were part of its Social Action for Music Program "which has established itself, since its start in 2000, as one of the flagship programs in the area of the social inclusion of children and youth at risk." This pilot experience will be used to replicate the initiative on a larger scale and in other countries where luthier projects are already under way, such as Colombia and Bolivia.

Maestro José Antonio Abreu welcomed the support of Fundaprocura and CAF for the initiative which "is sure to be very successful." The National System of Orchestras has signed several agreements with CAF, one of which is for construction of what will be the city of music. When they are operating, we will offer Fundaprocura the necessary spaces to continue this type of project (...). I am sure that in two years we will be celebrating the internationalization of the project we are signing today, and the girls and boys who are part of it will take what they have learned to other countries."

Clementina Vaamonde of Fundaprocura thanked CAF and Fensojiv for their contribution, which joins the funds granted by Banco Mercantil, Banco del Caribe, Sodexo, Orellana Foundation, and collaborating friends of Fundaprocura. "For us, service with joy is part of our mission, and it is of course wonderful to continue our efforts so that the young people and adults who are part of Fundaprocura can learn such a supportive occupation as luthier."