Focus Area
Humanitarian Relief
Location
Haiti
Beneficiaries
Andrea Bocelli Foundation x Fondation Saint Luc - 60 student performers, 6 educators and staff, 12,500 indirect beneficiaries across the Fondation Saint Luc school network
Safavi's Role
Supporter of a partner-led project
Key Impact
Expanded music education access and cultural exposure for Haitian youth through sustained artistic training and local and international performance opportunities
Project Overview
Voices of Haiti
In a collaborative effort to foster creativity, self-expression, and educational equity, Voices of Haiti was launched by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation and Fondation Saint Luc in 2016. The project provides structured vocal training and music therapy for 60 talented student singers drawn from Fondation Saint Luc’s network of schools across Haiti. The curriculum includes weekly Saturday sessions featuring voice warmups, rehearsals, music therapy, and group activities—led under the artistic direction of Maestro Malcolm Merriweather and a team of school-based educators.
Performances occur throughout the year during holidays and milestone celebrations, featuring a dynamic repertoire of Haitian folk and international music. Choir members wear red and white, reflecting the colors of the Haitian flag.
Beneficiary Profile
The initiative directly serves 60 student vocalists and 6 adult supervisors and educators. Indirect beneficiaries include over 12,500 students across the Fondation Saint Luc education system, who benefit from increased investment in arts programming and educational visibility. All participating schools operate under nationally approved guidelines and are managed by qualified, Haitian-led teams focused on both academic standards and cultural enrichment.
Safavi's Role
The Safavi Philanthropic Initiative contributed financial support to a program coordinated and led by the Andrea Bocelli Foundation in partnership with Fondation Saint Luc. Project funding covered music teacher and supervisor salaries, contributions toward the artistic director's coordination, and associated costs such as teaching materials and travel for select performances.
This support reflects Safavi’s mission to elevate underserved communities through culturally relevant and dignity-affirming educational initiatives.
Project Gallery
Photo Credit: Andrea Bocelli Foundation
Impact Achieved
Thanks to coordinated support from the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, Fondation Saint Luc, and aligned philanthropic partners including Safavi:
60 students received sustained vocal and music therapy training
A music education framework was integrated into the broader Fondation Saint Luc academic model
National and international performances brought global visibility to Haitian youth talent
Ongoing salaries and training resources supported long-term sustainability for school-based music instruction
Purpose & Signifigance
Voices of Haiti embodies a belief shared by all partner organizations: that music and education can serve as vital tools for healing, development, and empowerment—especially in post-crisis environments like Haiti. By supporting this project, Safavi contributed to a model of arts-based educational programming that affirms cultural identity while opening new pathways for global connection and opportunity.
Future Outlook
With the foundational three-year phase complete, the program continues to evolve, building toward the integration of music as a core academic subject across more schools within the Fondation Saint Luc network. Future collaborations may include expanded choir participation, educator training, and cross-cultural performances, as Safavi and its partners remain committed to uplifting the next generation through holistic education and artistic expression.
