Jean Philippe Paul is from the Artibonite area of Haiti.
He explained: “Haiti now is known as a county without safety or security. So a lot of people use young people to do things that are not good for them. So when I got this guitar, I will use it for a good cause. I will teach young people so they are not an instrument in the hands of other people, but will be able to help themselves by using art. I’m just a pastor. I’m serving an area where they are no musicians. In that area there are a lot of young people. They don’t know what electricity is. I see that playing guitar is the best thing I can do for them. So I learn it so I can teach it to those young people in my church.
Music, in my opinion, is very powerful because it gives such a liberty to people. They can express themselves and say what they understand about their area, their family, the people. They are talking in their every day conversation. Music is just a powerful instrument for young people, to kids, to everyone. I think that if I could teach music to people in my area, I could put a really good tool in their hands. I want to thank Instruments of Joy for this gift. I want to let you know that this is something you do for a generation. Believe me- I don’t know how long it will take, but a lot of young people will get the advantage of this guitar. I thank you very much and ask you to continue in this ministry.”
