We have been very fortunate to be able to bring down requested instruments to the members of the Deschapelles Fanfare Band, thanks to generous contributions from here in Essex, and Sigma Alpha Iota’s People to People Program’s continued support to both pay for and receive contributions of needed instruments.  Each member of the band now has a wonderful instrument, and their playing is better than ever.  In November 2012, I met with Abner Achoule, director of the Fanfare Band.  He informed me that there are now 17 students from 7 years old to mid 20’s who are taking lessons from different members of the Fanfare Band.  He had a list of the students and the instruments that were needed.  Some were available from our previous contributions, but I realized it would be a stretch to gather up all the additional ones, especially two baritone horns and a tenor sax.  At that point most of the students would take a lesson using the existing instrument of the teacher and only be able to play at that time.  The very next day, in Haiti, I received an email from Liana Valente with a list of instruments that one of the branches of SAI had collected to donate to the outreach program.  Every single one was on the list Abner had asked for.  We had to purchase a few other instruments which were paid for by SAI, and now each student will have the instrument of his or her choice and be able to practice to his or her heart’s desire.  In addition, a young man, Castillo Saint-Armand who had been taking clarinet lessons for about a year came to play two pieces for me – He has become an accomplished musician within one year, and as he so aptly stated, “I just love the clarinet.”