Love Light & Melody

Nearly three years ago while touring in Latin America, Brad Corrigan, an artist and activist, was introduced to a community of people living in a trash dump in Managua, Nicaragua. This initial visit transpired into many additional trips, each time returning to the people out of a love and desire to know them better. Throughout this experience the relationships grew from one family to the next until gradually Brad built trust and friendships with the people there. Who would have guessed that such a kinship could be found in Managua’s city landfill, a place also known as La Chureca.

La Chureca sits amidst the city blocks in metropolitan Managua. Driving down a busy urban road, one right turn takes you into what can best be described as a visual depiction of hell.  To the naked eye, La Chureca appears as a war zone: piles and piles of burning trash, cows, horses and dogs rummaging for food, vultures swooping overhead, and people digging fervently for any morsel of value amidst the garbage.  This view is enough to make the hardest of hearts break.  The more baffling part, however, are the homes that emerge from the waste.  La Chureca is more then just containment for rubbish; it is also a neighborhood to more than 100 families.

Though the darkness is most startling in this place, more surprising is how bright the light still shines. The people here radiate such a love and compassion that it overcomes the darkness. Here amongst the trash are those who truly understand community. Though there are significant issues—a child prostitution circuit, drug trafficking, HIV, and the basic neglect of human rights—there is a hope in this place that emerges from within the people.

In an effort to expose and deal with these issues, as well as serve this community, Love Light and Melody (LL&M) was born. Over the years large networks of organizations, both in Managua and in the United States, have emerged to serve La Chureca. LL&M desires to partner with these organizations and their efforts in order to make this labor of love more concentrated. Tapping into the extensive resources available domestically, while remaining informed about the needs in La Chureca allows LL&M to bring the necessary reform into this neighborhood.

Currently LL&M has partnered with the school located in the dump, created a restoration girl’s home for recovering prostitutes, and developed rapport with multiple NGO’s, non-profits, and government officials in the area.  LL&M is also currently in the process of developing plans for a vocational school and working with individuals across the United States to raise both money and awareness for the injustices that are occurring in this community. 

LL&M thrives on helping others find their voice in the chorus.  Our hope is that individuals will be inspired to serve the people of La Chureca by finding and using their gifts.  No role is too small or insignificant.  We want to serve this community by being a community ourselves, and this includes each person tapping into their own unique contribution.  Everyone has a song; everyone has a part to play.  LL&M believes one finds themselves as they give that away.  Please join with us in this journey.

For more information please visit lovelightandmelody.org.