GUATEMALA – Street Kids Direct Recording Studio Project

In the Colonia Carabanchel suburb of Guatemala City lies the Street Kids Direct Guatemala Mentoring and Training Centre. The aim of the Centre is to reduce the number of marginalised children living on the streets of the city through a programme of mentoring, prevention and outreach. The Director, Duncan Dyason, has been working with street children here since 1992. There are currently some 55 children all over 12 years of age, benefitting from the Centre, and a further 75 are expected to become part of the Project once they reach the age of 12.

The focus of the centre is on developing creativity, in music and art, both to help traumatised children and also to teach life-enhancing skills. Music in particular plays a large part in the work of the Centre and there is already a music room. Our funds, however, will allow a further development by providing a fully equipped music recording studio. This will be equipped with a mixing console, Apple i-mac and music producing software. Members of the Guatemala music industry will help in the equipping of the studio and subsequently help in the training of the children who will use the studio.

With the chance to develop their creativity, enhance their musical ability, and develop skills in the recording business that may earn them a place in the music industry, our recording studio Project will help to change the lives of many of Guatemala’s street kids.