"I'd been to four Emeline Michel concerts and I'd seen her beaming face on billboards across Port Au Prince before I finally got a chance to chat with her one sunny November morning in New York's Central Park. Talk about memories and present day realities of Michel's homeland was, inevitably laced with sadness - even before the earthquake. But she carried with her a sense of hope, a gift she graces her audiences with around the world."

After Emeline's interview in Central Park, Emeline said how excited she was to spend Christmas with her son in Port Au Prince and Jacmel, two towns subsequently devastated by the January 12 earthquake. Many of those able to stay positive and make music through past periods of violence and disaster have now been silenced by grief.

But around Southern Haiti in the remaining churches, and in streets and refugee camps, the occaisional rhythm and melody can be heard from voices, instruments and portable radios providing moments of relief in the ongoing and pervasive suffering, and reminding everyone of the spiritual power of music.

Emeline Michel and Microfundo are hoping to support some of Haiti's musical talents.

Support Microfundo's Haitian Music Microfinance Project >>