into place. It became clear to us that when there is love in your heart,  you attract good energy.

It was the invitation to travel to Kenya with Craig and Mark Kielburger’s “Free the Children” that opened the door and gave us the opportunity to pilot our project.

We were encouraged that we could answer the questions sooner rather than later…. Why we believed art was important to bring to Africa.

Think of Africa

If you’ve never been, the first images that come to mind are probably the ones you’ve seen on TV. When it comes to Africa, the perception of poverty, hopelessness, doom and gloom often dominates our thoughts. Then why on earth would two artists want to take art supplies to Africa, knowing there is so much more they need including the basic necessities of food, shelter, schools and clean water?

This was a question André and I asked ourselves. Family and friends may have thought the same question but were either too afraid or too polite to ask. But that was a very valid question.

Maybe its because we are extreme optimists or maybe it’s a greater force

than ourselves pushing us in a direction to help those less fortunate. Or, maybe it’s a spiritual path, that together, we have been led on to make the best use of our art skills. Taking us to a level higher than ourselves, to a purpose driven life. Whatever force it is, André and I believe in our hearts that visual art can make a difference.

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss it you will land among the stars”
                        …...Les Brown

 

This became our guiding force.

And so, André and I set out to undertake the most challenging continent; a continent with the least resources to pilot our art project. It was not long after that when things rapidly fell

The Journey Begins

It’s been exactly one week since returning from Kenya together with 18 other invited guests with Free the Children. This was André‘s third trip to Africa. He told me that once you step into Africa, meet the people, feel their love, you are forever changed. He was absolutely right ! If I was to describe Africa in just a few words I would say that the overwhelming love of

the people is pure, and their needs are minimal.

I will elaborate on this subject more but first I want to talk about the philanthropic organization Free the Children, founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger.

Free the Children (FTC) is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education.

In Kenya, Free the Children has constructed 50 schools, providing education to over 5000 children every day.

 

 

Karibu Kenya 2008

written by Agnes Jorgensen

PAINTING A NEW WORLD

Volume 1, Issue 1

Newsletter   October, 2008

artists helping artists

The organization also runs health, nutrition, water and sanitation programs for six communities in Kenya. It is a world class organization with fantastic, enthusiastic members.