🎼 A beautiful reminder of how one person can change the rhythm of an entire community.
In South Sioux City, Nebraska, choir director Esly Ovando is repairing donated instruments — even broken ones — and giving them free to students who can’t afford their own. She does all the fixing herself, then quietly hands them off to kids who reach out for help.
For many of her students, music is more than a hobby. It’s an emotional outlet during tough times at home — something Ovando understands deeply from her own childhood.
One of her recent students, 8th grader Genesis Hernandez, received a piano and now plays for her church, learns new songs, and dreams of studying violin next.
Ovando’s goal this year: support 10 students and expand access to music education in her community.
A teacher repairing instruments is one thing.
A teacher repairing confidence, hope, and opportunity is something else entirely.