The Esperanza community is celebrating a special donation that reinforces the power of music as a tool for social transformation. On Monday, December 15, the organization AMLA (Latin American Musicians and Artists) officially received a set of handcrafted congas donated by Acheré Drums, a recognized percussion company.
The congas were donated by Christian Noguera, a musician, percussionist, and artisan, and cofounder of Acheré Percussion. During the event, Noguera met with Reverend Luis Cortés Jr. of Esperanza where AMLA is affiliated and Daniel De Jesús, Director of Music Education at AMLA. “It is a great honor to receive a donation like this. It is very special because it is made by him and given by someone who belongs to our community,” said De Jesús.
AMLA, a key program of Esperanza, provides education in the arts, music, and leadership to children and youth in Philadelphia, with a focus on holistic development, cultural expression, and community impact. This donation will expand opportunities for hands-on learning in Afro-Caribbean percussion and Latin music.
For Noguera, this initiative holds both personal and collective significance. “I believe this is very important because it is meant to provide support to the community—the Hispanic community and the musical community,” he expressed, also highlighting his connection to AMLA, where he worked for many years, and to Daniel De Jesús, whom he considers a fundamental part of his early beginnings in the city.
Music, he states, has been the foundation of his life. “Everything in my life. I have played my entire life,” he said when referring to the importance of music in his personal story.
The donation aims to benefit people of all ages, with special emphasis on younger generations. “I would love for people of different ages to enjoy them, especially children and young people, so we can continue fostering music education and, above all, the drum, which is very important in our Hispanic culture,” he added.
The congas stand out for their high artisanal quality. They were handcrafted from red maple wood, using locally sourced Philadelphia wood, in collaboration with Uruguayan master craftsman Esteban Hernández, reflecting respect for tradition and the environment.
Beyond the instrument itself, Noguera shared a message for young musicians: “Playing an instrument requires a lot of patience, effort, and perseverance, but above all, joy. Enjoy it.”
On the other hand, AMLA expressed its gratitude for this donation, highlighting the generosity and ongoing commitment to the cultural and educational development of the Philadelphia community.
For more information about the handcrafted instruments, you can visit Achere Percussion at 362 E Church Ln, Philadelphia, and AMLA’s music programs at 4261 N 5th St, Philadelphia.
