WOZO – Haiti Partners Youth Choir
Click here to learn more about WOZO’s recent trip to US and to view videos and photos.
Click here to download zip audio files with three songs.
WOZO is a neighborhood choir made up of 37 children and youth who live in the surrounding area of Mariaman, where Haiti Partners co-director John Engle has lived most of the last 16 years.
Merline Engle, John’s wife, played a key role in creating the choir and continues to serve, as a volunteer, as choir coordinator. The choir director, Alex Myril, has done a phenomenal job in helping these children and youth to develop their knowledge, talents and skills in leadership, which is the choir’s purpose.
Alex, Merline and members of the choir write many of the songs they perform. The words come out of their experiences and convictions.
WOZO performs regularly in Haitian churches and have also performed in a number of schools and at several special events, including at Fort Jacques on National Flag Day. Their videos on YouTube have been viewed thousands of times and they’ve also been aired on Haiti’s National Television.
In addition to learning to sing and dance well together as a group, members of the choir use Haiti Partners collaborative learning and leadership methods including Reflection Circles, Lectio Divina and Open Space. They make decisions about important issues such as budgets, community service activities, and any necessary disciplinary actions together.
Haiti Partners is also supporting a number of choir member families to rebuild their lives following the earthquake through a micro-credit program and through help with school fees. While all members of the choir come from poor families, they all attend school.
Click here for blog posts and other information on this site about WOZO.
“Mwen Se Ayiti Tou”
Performed by WOZO – Haiti Partners Youth Choir
Recording Produced by Luke Renner
Music and Lyrics by Alex Myril and Merline Engle
© 2009 – Myril/Engle Music.
To download words with English translation, click on: Words to Wozo Songs
