Mary C. Nasser
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The Memory Project

7/22/2013

3 Comments

 
I just learned that my students’ portrait projects were delivered to orphans in Guyana!
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These children are not orphans in the sense that both of their parents are deceased, but rather they are living in
orphanages because of the same reasons that put kids in the USA in foster care: abandonment, abuse, and neglect. Sometimes one or both parents are living in extreme poverty and not able to properly feed and care for them.
 
We've been fortunate to participate in The Memory Project for three consecutive years now!
In 2011, students created portraits for orphans in Indonesia. Last year, we made portraits for children in Sierra Lione, and this year our portraits were for children in Guyana. 
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The Memory Project is a unique initiative in which art students create portraits (drawings, paintings, digital art, etc.) for children and teens around the world who have been orphaned, abandoned, neglected, or otherwise disadvantaged.

To do this, the artists receive pictures of children who are waiting for portraits. The artists then create the portraits, and The Memory Project coordinates the delivery of the portraits to the children.
The goal of the project is to inspire caring and a positive sense of self.

Given that children who have been abandoned, orphaned, abused, or neglected usually have few personal keepsakes, the purpose of the portraits is to provide them with a special memory of their youth, to honor their heritage and identity, and to help them build a positive self-image.

Regarding the art students who make the portraits, this is an opportunity for them to open their hearts to children who have endured many hardships, and to promote the value of sharing kindness with others.

Since 2004, The Memory Project has created nearly 50,000 portraits for children in 34 countries!
More information on The Memory Project can be found online here. 

Have a wonderful and inspiring week!
Mary^
3 Comments
Judy Shea link
7/22/2013 04:44:02 am

This is beautiful in SO many ways.

Reply
Corrine link
7/22/2013 06:54:35 am

How soulful and giving Mary. For those children, just the thought that someone thinks them valuable enough to paint their portraits. Beyond words. xox

Reply
bibi
11/5/2015 07:11:57 am

I love reading stories like these, keep doing what you love and these are beautiful art

Reply



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    I love creating mixed-media art layered with maps, stencils, and hues of blue! This blog is a place for me to share my work and what inspires me. Read more here.
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