Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Compassiva’s headquarters fills with music.
The Guri Programme is a sociocultural programme which offers a variety of free music lessons to children and teenagers aged 6-18 who, otherwise, wouldn’t be able to access such opportunities.
The programme is managed by Santa Marcelina – Social Organisation for Culture, and was launched in 2008 in partnership with the support of the Secretary of Culture of the State of São Paulo.
In 2014, Guri moved one of its poles to Compassiva’s headquarters. It continued to offer classes to students already enrolled in the programme, as well as opening up places for children living in the neighbourhood surrounding Compassiva.
With the mission of promoting sociocultural inclusion, Guri goes beyond seeking musical excellence. They also offer social services to the children, teenagers and their families. For those who find themselves living in vulnerable situations, this support is vital and can act as a preventative measure, as well as triggering positive change.
The apple of Guri’s eye is its orchestras, which put on prestigious shows exhibiting the talent of the children and teenagers served. The most talented can even pursue music further, obtaining grants and taking part in exchanges.
The value of this project and its potential to transform lives are exemplified by ex-student Matheus Posso.
10 years ago, when Matheus started to study with Guri at the age of 13, he could never have guessed where he would end up.
After Guri, he started to study in the São Paulo Youth Orchestra, before passing the entrance exam for the State University of São Paulo (UNESP). However, after one-and-a-half years of university studies, everything changed when a professor visiting from Austria identified him as a potential candidate for the prestigious Mozarteum University.
He passed the entrance exams with flying colours and in 2015, moved to Salzburg, Austria: the birthplace of Mozart (and, of course, the backdrop of the musical The Sound of Music). An accomplished cellist, now he is in the fourth year of his degree there.
‘Guri made me open my mind to a lot of things,’ he explains.
It was Guri which helped him to discover and develop his talent and passion for music. It was also through Guri that he found the Elga Marte Institute, which sponsors his studies in Austria.
The sponsorship also allows him to return to São Paulo once a year to visit his family. His mum, Joseli, has worked with Guri for 5 years. Having witnessed the impact of the project in the life of her own son, she continues serving in another pole.
‘I don’t even know what I would be without Guri,’ she comments.
Mateus highlights the positive effect Guri has on both individual lives and the entire city of São Paulo. He believes that providing someone with an instrument reduces their social vulnerability, bearing fruit for society as a whole.
‘This is really important for today’s children, for tomorrow’s children, for the children of my generation who, ten years ago, were also studying music.
‘This programme is revolutionary for the children of São Paulo’s peripheries – even in the richer areas of São Paulo – because I think that when you have an instrument you don’t want conflict with anyone, you really just want to play and share your music, showcase your talent and show what you’ve got.’
He emphasises his gratitude for the opportunities he’s had, for where he is and for the fact he’s been able to visit more than 15 countries through music; everything is the result of the basis he received at Guri.
‘I’ve only got things to be grateful for, and what I have to say to all of you is: continue with this project, because it’s the richest thing there is.’
What a privilege it is to be able to be a partner of this project, making such incredible opportunities available to the children and teenagers served by Compassiva’s other projects.
May many more students follow in Matheus’ footsteps!
