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The Memory Project – Madagascar

4/27/2016

3 Comments

 
My students’ portrait projects have been delivered to orphans in Madagascar!
The Memory Project
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 five years now! 
In 2014, my students made portraits for children in Sierra Lione. In 2013, my students created portraits for orphans in Guyana. In 2011, we made portraits for children in Indonesia. Last year, we made portraits for children in Thailand, and this year our portraits were for children in Madigascar. 
The Memory Project
The Memory Project
The Memory Project
The Memory Project
The Memory Project
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 more than 80,000 portraits for children in 35 countries to help children feel valued and important! More information on The Memory Project can be found online here. 

Hope you're having a wonderful and inspiring week!
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3 Comments
Maria McGuire link
4/27/2016 08:55:39 am

These are AMAZING!!!!!!

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Ozge Basagac link
4/28/2016 04:07:03 am

I think this is a wonderful and touching project.Congratulations to all of you who have taken part in this.

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Susan Burgess link
5/4/2016 12:56:13 pm

This is a fantastic idea and I agree about how orphans have few keepsakes of their childhood. I also think they get few gifts because there are so many forgotten children in the world. This is a great way to let them know they have made a mark in the world, I have bad facial recall and so whenever I draw someone I never forget them. Thinking this also lets the child know someone on earth will always remember who they are and what they look like. It's a keepsake not only of their childhood but of how important they actually are in this world where we are all often forgotten. I also think that giving from the children here is an excellent way to feel important and used for good. That this experience makes them aware how good they have it compared to so many others and nothing feels as good as giving to those in need. Money is important for eating but giving something like this from their hands and hearts is a way of meeting another needs we all have which is to be acknowledged! Yeah Mary! Yeah students too those pictures came out amazing! Love, Sanna.
accidentally put this underneath this post! so redoing it making sure you see where my kudos are going!)

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