Dutch Band Donating Album Proceeds To Benefit Ecuador Orphanage #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath, Mary Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen, and Guilie Castillo for all you do! Please visit their blogs for more positive news.
VANDERLINDE Live Trails Album Proceeds To Benefit Ecuador Orphanage
This is the story of an incredibly generous gift to the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador by Dutch band VANDERLINDE. All band members, the producer, the recording and mixing engineers, and the studio are donating all proceeds from their latest album, Live Trails, to benefit the orphanage. Even the recording company will promote the album for free and donate their profits.
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| VANDERLINDE Live Trails album cover (click on photo to increase size) |
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| VANDERLINDE Live Trails album cover inside (click on photo to increase size) |
From the inside cover above:
“VANDERLINDE and their producer have declined to be paid for their work on this album. They have pledged that all proceeds from the sales of this record will benefit the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador, where Erwin Musper is working every day as a volunteer to give those children a spark of hope for their future. Because you bought this album, you are part of turning this spark into a bonfire. The kids say GRACIAS.”
Check out VANDERLINDE’s song Across The Hall (Live Trails):
Producer No Stranger To Orphanage
This orchestrator of this project, album producer and lyricist Erwin Musper, mixed and mastered the album in his studio near the orphanage. His daily presence at the orphanage provides not only guitar lessons but a male role model in lives of kids who may never have had a positive one. He shares orphanage photos and project updates on his Facebook page, found here.
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| YOKO (Young Orphanage Kids Orchestra) band last Christmas Erwin, in white t-shirt, is their guitar instructor and male role model |
Erwin has previously spearheaded projects for a walk in refrigerator (see his post here), ceiling fans (post), and many other projects at the orphanage. The next big project on his list is rewiring and replacing the failing and overheating electric grid at the orphanage, where proceeds from this album sale will first be directed.
How To Order Live Trails
UPDATE November 1, 2017: The album is now available! If you live in Europe, you can buy the physical CD. The rest of the world can download it on Google Play here or on iTunes here. Contact Erwin Musper on Facebook for information on how to donate directly to the cause. Please consider buying the album – you receive great music and help the orphanage electric system at the same time!
UPDATE #1: Vanderlinde did it! They met the fundraising goal! All future money raised will go to future projects at the orphanage.
UPDATE #2: The orphanage electrical has been completely upgraded!
Thank you VANDERLINDE and friends for your generosity! We say GRACIAS!
Find previous posts about the orphanage here.
Find previous WATWB posts on Emily in Ecuador here.
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Want to read more positive stories from around the world? Click here to find a list of blogs participating in the We are the World Blogfest or search for #WATWB on social media.
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Emily Bloomquist
I am a US Expat in Ecuador. I grew up on a Minnesota farm, worked in IT in California's Silicon Valley, then moved to a coastal Ecuador fishing village. My goal is to share Ecuador with you, one snippet at a time. Topics include attractions, compassion, ecotourism, Ecuador products, everyday Ecuador, and flora and fauna. Please let me know what you would like to read more about!
28 Comments
Shilpa Garg
That's such a noble gesture for it will bring smiles in lives of so many children. More power to VANDERLINE team. Thanks for sharing this amazing story, Emily!
Emily Bloomquist
"More power to VANDERLINDE team" – I love that since they are working to upgrade the power system! Thanks for stopping by and commenting Shilpa and also for co-hosting WATWB.
Ally Bean
This is a great story. And one that gives me hope about people everywhere. I bet the kids who VANDERLINE interact with will never forget the experiences.
Emily Bloomquist
You are right Ally, the kids will never forget these experiences. They are having first ever experiences all of the time thanks to Erwin. Here are two: He has introduced a music program to the orphanage where they had never had one before. Anyone who wants to learn guitar or piano has an expat instructor. Drum lessons start soon. He brought a DJ from the US a few months ago to help empower the girls through music. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Debby Gies
What a beautiful thing to do for the children. This is so inspiring and the music is wonderful Emily. 🙂
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you for mentioning how wonderful the music is, Debby. I accidentally skipped mentioning how much I like it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
P. J. Lazos
Yay for the power of music to change lives.
Emily Bloomquist
Yes!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – that's really inspiring to read about – it's wonderful for all the children – as they'll learn about music, production, overseas areas etc and will broaden their horizons. Then have the ability to learn to play instruments and empower themselves … I too rather like the music – what a wonderful collaboration … long may it continue: sounds like it will …
What a great WAWTB post … mine will go up on Monday and features Bolivia … but am loving the music – and the concept of the hope they bring to the orphanage and all its associates … cheers Hilary
Emily Bloomquist
Absolutely right, Hilary, the children's depth and breadth of knowledge is expanding with these influences in their lives. I look forward to reading your Bolivia WATWB post on Monday. Thank you!
G Angela David
I am happy to read this post, generous souls and how nice to share with the less fortunate children, thank you for sharing this post:)
Emily Bloomquist
They are so generous, it really is fabulous! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Angela.
Pradita Kapahi
It's heartwarming when the more lucky people in life share their luck and fortune with others. This is a great opportunity for kids too. I'm feeling happy just imagining them getting to learn new things. God bless them and thank you for sharing this 🙂
Emily Bloomquist
Yes, it is great opportunity for the kids. Their world has expanded in so many ways. Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Pradita.
Susan Scott
The music is wonderful Emily! I'd love to purchase it when available … I'll have to go back and write to Erwin and see how to do when available ..this 'initiative is so wonderful on so many levels ..a great #WATWB post thank you! We can each do something like eg supporting this..
Emily Bloomquist
I agree – it is great music, Susan! Thank you for reaching out to Erwin. I will also update this post when the album is available with information on ordering it.
Susan Scott
Thanks Emily! I did write him on FB but we're not connected on FB so I am pleased to hear you will update your post!
Emily Bloomquist
The album is now out 🙂
I updated this page with information on how to order. Thank you!
Lynda Dietz
This is terrific! Not only that they're donating the money, but that they're lyricist is also "in the trenches," so to speak, helping in such a practical way. He really is providing a good role model for these kids.
Emily Bloomquist
He really is, Lynda. If you were searching for a person to provide a daily role model for kids, someone like Erwin is the person you would select. Many of the kids even make Father's Day cards for him.
Guilie Castillo
What a fabulous person! In these days of murky waters in intellectual property, this is an amazing initiative and an excellent example. Imagine if a majority of artists everywhere regularly donated even a fraction of their income to causes that directly alleviate poverty and suffering, that make education and overall health a priority… The impact that could have!
Thanks for sharing this story, Emily—and for your visit earlier to Quiet Laughter. Really appreciate it. Have a fantastic weekend!
Emily Bloomquist
I love the world you imagine, Guilie! Yes, what an impact that could have!
Lizbeth Hartz
Not only a great story, Emily, also great music. How great of this group to give so generously to the orphanage. Gives me "chicken skin", as they say here in Hawaii. Thanks for sharing!
Emily Bloomquist
I love the saying "chicken skin," Lizbeth. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
BWitzenhausen
Such a fantastic story, as a musicians wife I love this! Thank you so much for sharing this and being part of #WATWB 🙂
Emily Bloomquist
You do bring a unique perspective as a musicians wife 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, commenting, and co-hosting #WATWB this month Belinda!
Deborah Weber
What a heart-warming story. Generous acts like this can't help but be inspiring. And given the great music I have high hopes this will be a very prosperous initiative. In addition to the funding, what a great gift Musper is with his presence and service to the children. Lots to celebrate here!
Emily Bloomquist
I love sharing initiatives like these – like you say, lots to celebrate here! Thanks for your comment Deborah.