how it all started
In 2005, founder Brad Corrigan was taken on an unexpected and life-changing trip to Nicaragua. His taxi driver, Bismark introduced him to the La Chureca trash dump where he witnessed countless children and families living and working in fiery and smoke-filled trash fields. In the trash dump Brad met a young girl named Ileana who despite her circumstances, radiated warmth, joy, and compassion through her laughter and "lightning smile."
After years of making trips back to La Chureca, Brad started Love Light + Melody to bring awareness to the families living in the La Chureca trash dump — and to bring joy to the children through music, education, art, and sports. Over the last 20 years, LLM has become a force for good and built a global community of supporters who are helping transform the lives of children in the La Chureca community!
Ileana’s Smile is a documentary film honoring the life and heart that changed our lives forever. The film shares a thread of Ileana’s story, raises awareness for child vulnerability, and unifies people and resources around Ileana’s School of Hope.
Our vision is that every child is safe to dream, learn and write their own story.
a word from our founder
When we first started Love Light + Melody, we had no idea it would become what it is today. It was born out of a desperate prayer, a desire to do something—anything—to help a few kids who lived inside a trash dump in Nicaragua. I wanted them to laugh, smile, and know that they’re cherished. See a path forward. Dream, imagine, reach… and know that they deserve much more.
19 years later, that same desire beats even louder in my heart today. We’ve grown and partnered with so many people who have helped raise funds and awareness for these kids and their families. We’ve built and opened Ileana’s School of Hope, we’ve started a weaving cooperative that’s providing steady jobs, we’ve created a documentary to tell our story and get the word out…and this is still just the beginning.
Our small organization and your massive hearts are making a difference. We’re not just changing things for a moment but transforming the way these kids see themselves and the path in front of them—one where they can dream and aspire to be anything!
This is the power of love, the brightness of light, and the unifying sweetness of melody.
My hope and dream is that we would continue expanding and growing to serve as many vulnerable kids as possible, in Nicaragua and around the world. So that every one of them will know what it is to be loved and to truly thrive.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do to bring Love Light + Melody to life. For bringing hope, beauty, joy, sports, education, and so much more to the lives of these kids. The world is brighter—because of you and them—and I’m so glad you’re part of this story!
We are stronger together.
Brad Corrigan
a word from
our founder
When we first started Love Light + Melody, we had no idea it would become what it is today. It was born out of a desperate prayer, a desire to do something—anything—to help a few kids who lived inside a trash dump in Nicaragua. I wanted them to laugh, smile, and know that they’re cherished. See a path forward. Dream, imagine, reach… and know that they deserve much more.
19 years later, that same desire beats even louder in my heart today. We’ve grown and partnered with so many people who have helped raise funds and awareness for these kids and their families. We’ve built and opened Ileana’s School of Hope, we’ve started a weaving cooperative that’s providing steady jobs, we’ve created a documentary to tell our story and get the word out…and this is still just the beginning.
Our small organization and your massive hearts are making a difference. We’re not just changing things for a moment but transforming the way these kids see themselves and the path in front of them—one where they can dream and aspire to be anything!
This is the power of love, the brightness of light, and the unifying sweetness of melody.
My hope and dream is that we would continue expanding and growing to serve as many vulnerable kids as possible, in Nicaragua and around the world. So that every one of them will know what it is to be loved and to truly thrive.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do to bring Love Light + Melody to life. For bringing hope, beauty, joy, sports, education, and so much more to the lives of these kids. The world is brighter—because of you and them—and I’m so glad you’re part of this story!
We are stronger together.
Brad Corrigan