Diapora of Hope 09

Fifteen women and two men from the United States and Canada were an excited and professional group of artists traveling to Philadelphia, Egypt, Kenya, Guatemala and Nicaragua to participate in BuildaBridge's annual Diaspora of Hope. The artists were joined by scores of local artists in each country as they planned, trained and implemented an arts camp on the themes of hope, peace, and unity with children from very difficult circumstances. The BuildaBridge Classroom model was the structure for each camp. This was the first year Diaspora of Hope conducted a project in Philadelphia with a local partner--a shelter abused women and their children. The mission of Diaspora of Hope is to provide children with a brighter future and build the capacity and sustainable development of local organizations serving these children who live in poverty. The following blogs from around the world describe the events of the week and stories of transformation.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Kenya Day 2: Creativity Begins

We drive down Juja road on Monday and we've almost forgotten the masses, the smells, the distractions of newness and begin to focus on the kids. One hundred kids fill the small area behind the center and sing the opening song composed for the arts camp. Every artist is prepared with curriculum and we move to creative spaces--open area, crowded classroom and wall.

There is one goal--get to know the kids, find out where they are, and assess their abilities.

We are short some supplies, share pencils for a while until someone buys at a local Duka. Now everyone can draw. The classes: Mural, Drama, Poetry and Spoken Word, Music and Movement, and Visual Arts. Our art therapist, Liberty Wetherill, has set some on on ones with a few of the kids who have experienced some very tragic events.

Time for daily debriefing. "The kids are very polite". "The kids have so much desire and take everything in so quickly." "Need more curriculum materials--we've covered everything for today." "We are working for even more organization tomorrow." "Local artists are great! Gifted and love the kids."

We move to the small "restaraunt" around the corner--Ugali, sukumu wiki and chapati. "it is very clean considering the location."

Heading home--we are exhausted. Dinner is at 7.


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