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.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Day Two: Mural Begins

Paint is everywhere in the small courtyard behind the little community center. Community residents are now gathering as a mural begins to appear on the wall. Fred Mukura and Leah Samuelson are leading 20 youth along with three team members in learning more than mural painting. Hope can be seen in the transition from the world as it is to what it can be in Mathare Valley.

In each class, children are beginning to express the realism of their lives, the hope they have for their future, and some real solutions to issues of the environment in the slum.

After the morning session the entire group walked through the Valley to visit and learn about the lives of the students.
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