Berrios Family
Waleska López Gimezes (Rehabilitation Counselor at BBVS) and Raúl Berrios Sanchez (Musician)
Founders of the EcoMusiclaje and other community projects for underserved demographics.
Nomination
Nominated by I Belong Philly for their community work related to music and sustainability by creating recycled instruments in Puerto Rico and in Philadelphia.
About the Berrios Family:
Waleska Lopez and Raul Berrios are a couple that have been working for more than 30 years with the EcoMusiclaje Project. EcoMusiclaje is a combination of the words Ecosystem (Ecosistema), Music (Música), and Recycle (Recicle). This project was part of the Music As A Global Resource project in conjunction with the International Council for Caring Communities, The United Nations (UN).
The Berrios believe that everyone can help preserve the natural ecosystem by making musical instruments with recycled materials. Raul is a Music Teacher and Ethnomusicologist, and Waleska Lopez is a Rehabilitation Counselor. Together, they are using their skills to work with all generations and people with disabilities. They were born and raised in Puerto Rico. Raul is from Santurce/Barrio Obrero. Waleska is from Loiza and Carolina.
Hurricane Maria
The Berrios family immigrated to Philadelphia in 2017, after Hurricane Maria. The living adjustment wasn't an easy process, and they still continue to adapt. Yet, four years later, they continue to promote their projects with Philadelphia’s immigrant communities, Latin community, and visually impaired students.
As a couple, they identify themselves as immigrants because they believe that everyone who is not from here needs to be raised and built as a new citizen. They said, "as a new resident I know that my Income Tax from PR is not valid here, we don't have the right to vote for the presidential elections or any other elections from the USA if we are living in Puerto Rico, and some services or benefits that exist here in the USA don't exist in Puerto Rico."
From Africa to the Caribbean
The Berrios family created a project called "From Africa to the Caribbean," which is an imaginary journey through music around the world. The purpose is to teach new generations, and to commemorate and celebrate traditional roots. The project also aims to develop the skill to make an instrument instead of purchasing a new one, promoting awareness of eco-friendly practices. Their teaching techniques use music to improve knowledge in Science, Spanish, English, Math, Social Studies, and History.
In Philadelphia, they collaborated with organizations like Welcoming Center, I Belong Philly, New Sanctuary Movement, Juniata Actions Committee, People of Color Wellness, and National Domestic Workers Alliance.
Article by I Belong Philly. Created by Waleska Lopez, Cristina Zanoni and Ben Goebel.
Quote from the Berrios Family:
"Education is a great way to connect with people, connect with other cultures, and learn about different cultures."