Lila Gets Down to Business

Last month, Lila Downs teamed up with famous Mexican musicians Eugenia León and Celso Piña to raise much needed money for the Guadalupe Musalem Scholarship Fund. The organiser Casa de la Mujer said it was a great success, 7000 people attended, but despite the record-breaking numbers they had not raised as much as they hoped to.

Members of the crowd say that it keeps getting better and better. This year the concert started off with a remarkable vocal performance from León, followed by Downs’ (pictured) infectious energy, combining rhythm and movement with her Latino Grammy winning voice, and was wrapped up with the electrifying cumbia sounds of Celso Piña’s accordion.

The fund, created in 1995 with the purpose of supporting young indigenous women who lack financial resources, is a part of an initiative by Grupo de Estudios sobre la Mujer ‘Rosario Castellanos,’ a non-profit organisation founded in 1977 with the aim to create a fairer and more equal society that respects women’s rights. The education and empowerment of women is the key in developing a stable and self-sufficient society and this initiative is a welcomed response to the desperate situation of many indigenous women in Mexico.

The scholarship is awarded to those who show a regular willingness to be of service to their communities. A good academic performance in school also helps to secure a place. ‘Without the support of the fund, these women would not be able to finish high school,’ says the Casa de la Mujer. ‘The recipients get 1800 pesos per month, as well as mentoring from the organisation. Since 1996, 29 young women have received the scholarship. The results have inspired women to respect their future as well as support their communities.’ One of the beneficiaries echoed this outlook when she said that this will ‘give me the opportunity to get an education and give something back to my home in Oaxaca for future generations.’

Guadalupe Musalem Merhy, a friend of the organisation became ill and for that reason an account was set up to help with her medical treatments. After her death, 25,756 pesos remained and the group decided to use this to start the scholarship fund. The fund now depends on donations and the annual concert given by Downs and other selected musicians.

For more info about the Lila Downs concert and how to donate to the Casa de la Mujer visit: www.casamuj.org