Random thoughts from Peru, 7th July 2009

Listening to music is often a passive but extremely powerful activity. So far in life I had never fully appreciated the strong appeal it holds to so many. I have always seen it as a past time that has the ability to take control of your feelings, to transport you from a happy place to a sad place all within the length of a song that lasts only a few minutes. Present circumstances have allowed me to view music from an alternative perspective, to see the power it has to lift ones spirits.

Jose, the five year old boy who is part of the family I live with has four rotten front teeth, something which causes him a lot of pain. Every night he cries, it is a piercing cry that leaves you in no doubt that he is in deep anguish. As our single storey shanty house is not much larger than the average persons living room in the UK, there is no hiding place from the deep, long screams.

One particular morning after another night of discomfort, the mother Karmin huddled Jose as he lay on the ground, looking agonisingly and helplessly at her child. Dental care costs money, something my family does not have.

The image of the fragile child in the mothers arms brought tears to my eyes, it was an image that was to keep replaying in my mind throughout the day, like an intense flashback. Each time my eyes began to well up, each time I battled to hold back the tears.

As I switched on my MP3 player, I found that listening to music gave me some strength, focus and perspective. The sadness I felt was still there but I gained a renewed sense of clarity about the situation. Many people have a deep passion for music, I can now appreciate why.

Peace and love, Gavin x