Dahlia Broberg and Heidi Ho are Spring 2025 recipients of the Srinivasan Family Awards for Projects in Emerging Markets, an initiative run by the Center for Emerging Markets at Northeastern University to support student-led projects addressing critical challenges in emerging economies across the globe.
For Dahlia Broberg and Heidi Ho, music has been a lifelong source of connection and healing. Dahlia, an International Business major in D'Amore-McKim School of Business who has taken vocal lessons since age six and volunteered for seven years with a hospice music therapy team in Pennsylvania, recognized the transformative power of music early in her life. Heidi, a Public Health and Journalism major in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences and a multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey began in childhood, found music to be her constant companion through life's challenges. Together, they saw an opportunity to bring this same healing power to a community in need.
Working in the remote village of Shandia, Ecuador as co-ops with Manna Project International, both students witnessed firsthand the creativity and energy of local children, but also the lack of structured programs to channel their potential. The turning point came during a health clinic roundtable where local staff raised deep concerns about adolescent mental health in the community. With limited afterschool resources, many young people were falling into destructive patterns, including substance abuse, teen pregnancy, and self-harm behaviors.
With support from a Srinivasan Family Award, Dahlia and Heidi launched a structured music therapy program designed to address these mental health challenges while providing positive outlets for youth development. They partnered with Gary Galactico, a local musician already working with the Shandian school, to create a sustainable, community-led initiative that would continue beyond their time in Ecuador.
The program officially launched in early 2025, with Gary serving as the primary instructor and music therapist. Despite initial shyness among participants, the response was immediate and powerful. By the fourth class, nearly all students reported positive emotions, higher motivation, and increased feelings of connectedness in program surveys.
The program's impact extended beyond the structured sessions, with participants approaching Heidi to share their experiences and express excitement about continuing their musical journey. The combination of skill-building, peer connection, experiential learning, and therapeutic support created a comprehensive approach to addressing the mental health challenges identified by local healthcare workers and exposed students to new ways of learning.
Looking ahead, the music therapy program is funded to continue through June 2026, with plans for ongoing evaluation and potential expansion. Dahlia and Heidi are working to ensure the program becomes embedded in Shandia's broader support ecosystem, creating a sustainable model that could be replicated in other underserved communities across Ecuador and beyond.
Reflecting on how the project has shaped their understanding of community development, both students emphasized the importance of listening to local needs and building on existing strengths. The success of the program demonstrates how targeted interventions, when designed with community input and led by local partners, can create lasting positive change in emerging markets.
