The 30 children quickly dispersed in
every direction, with intense focus and excitement reflected in their little
bodies. For the first time in their lives, they were holding cameras, about to
have a profoundly personal encounter with those things that hold meaning for
their lives. Their excitement, natural spontaneity, and thoughtfulness were
palpable as they roamed their environment on a mission. They were also having a
ball.
These children, orphaned
through AIDS, are residents of the Jehovah Shammah Restoration Centre in
Kisumu, Kenya. It is a small orphanage poor in financial resources but rich in
love, and they operate as a large family. The orphans were participating in an
integrated arts project organized through Women’s Perspective, a Fairfield
based nonprofit organization.
The youngsters were encouraged to tell their own stories,
through the creation of personal scrapbooks, according to Ann Reeves, of
Redding, CT and Charyn Atkin, of Weston, CT, who worked with the children. None
of the children had ever used a camera before, and few had ever seen one up
close. In bringing cameras, scrapbook binders, and art materials their mission
was to provide opportunities for the children to gain some measure of control
over their chaotic histories by telling their stories through creative
expression. It would give them a chance to enhance their self-esteem and give
inspiration to their hopes and dreams.
Reeves and Atkin also wanted
them to know that, in the absence of parents, they were valued and loved by
others. Six mature, conscientious, and fun-loving young adults, part of the
youth group at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Kisumu, assisted them in this
endeavor. All but one is also an orphan.
The most compelling of these touching
photographs by the children have been enlarged, matted, and framed, and will be
on exhibit at Rockwell Art Gallery in Wilton from February 14 – 28th. An
opening reception and fundraiser for the orphans will be held Friday, February
18th, from 5 – 8 PM.
“We were absolutely amazed by
the quality of these photographs,” said Reeves, a psychologist who works with
children and is an avid amateur photographer. “Children, by nature, are
creative and spontaneous, and they seem to have an innate ability to work with
visual images without being bogged down by language or rules.”
That being said, Reeves and
Atkin did provide the youngsters with a basic photographic curriculum that encouraged
them to “make” a picture, rather than “take” a picture and included fundamental
information about composition that encouraged experimentation. They were also
exposed to the various examples of portraiture and were encouraged to work
imaginatively, photographing what had meaning for them, including special
things, scenery, and people. Not surprisingly, as Kenyans tend to be so warm
and relational, they spent a great deal of time photographing each other.
Reeves and Atkin also provided
art materials so the children could create pictures to include in their
scrapbooks. The photographs were processed in Kisumu and available on the
following day, much to the excitement of these youngsters. They were asked to
look at them critically, so that they could correct mistakes such as camera
shake, too much distance, or unplanned camera angles.
Prior to using the second roll
of film, a discussion around self identity, and its importance was initiated.
The children figured out how one might create self-portraits – through holding
the camera stretched out, photographing items of personal importance, or
setting up a scene and directing a friend exactly how to make the portrait.
“They approached this task in a thoughtful manner, demonstrating very definite
preferences for how they wanted to be regarded. Examples of this included being
seen as a serious student, in a playful pose, or elevated up high so as to look
important,” noted Reeves. Several of these “self-portraits” are included in the
exhibit.
Atkin, president of Q Design
Group, a corporate communications firm, noted that the purpose of this exhibit
is to increase the understanding of a very different culture, put a personal
face on the tragedy of AIDS as it affects the children in Kenya, and to raise
money to help the orphanage continue to provide a stable environment for the
children.
“They have no electricity,
running water, books, and few recreational objects,” she noted. We have so
much, here.
“A kind woman cooks for them in
a tin shed. Our plan is to provide them with a small kitchen, dining facility,
and electricity.” Margaret Auma, Executive Director of Springs Ministries, the
non profit organization that works with widows and orphans in Kisumu, also
prays for a chapel for this faith-based community.
Kisumu is the third largest,
but poorest city in Kenya. It is situation in Nyanza Province on the shores of
Lake Victoria. This province has the highest poverty rate in Kenya and the
highest HIV infection rate in the country. 63% live on U.S. $1.00 per day.
In 2002, Ms. Williams, Dr.
Reeves, and two other women participated in the Third International Conference
for Widows in Kisumu. While there, the visited the orphanage as it was being
constructed. Reeves was sufficiently inspired by the children she met to develop
the Telling Our Stories project for them when she returned for the conference
in 2004. Atkin and Reeves also attended the Fourth International Conference
following the work with the children.
A former school psychologist in
the Westport school system and a psychologist in private practice in Wilton,
Reeves is an avid amateur photographer who currently lives in West Redding. She
was also a founding board member of the Georgetown AIDS residence, Bread and
Roses, with over 15 years of experience volunteering in the field of AIDS.
Remembering that some social workers used photographs to create positive
memories of families before a loved one died from AIDS, Reeves thought about
applying this concept to the children in Kisumu. She was also inspired by the work
of internationally known photographer and McArthur Grant recipient, Wendy
Ewald, who has taught photography to children all over the world through a
Literacy Through Photography approach.
Atkin served in the Peace Corps
as headmistress of the Ibusekami secondary school, in a village not far from
Kisumu. When she arrived to teach in 1969, there were thirty students and three
faculty. The headmaster had absconded with the school funds and Atkin was
declared headmistress. When she left Kenya in 1971, she had obtained funds and
a building and left with a student body of 150. After 23 years, Atkin again
visited this school and was heralded by the current headmaster. He
spontaneously rang the bell to summon all 600 students to stand in the outside
courtyard, and invited Ms. Atkin to speak to them. Standing in the exact same
spot where she used to address students, she reflected the positive journey of
the school and encouraged them to pursue their education. The students regarded
her with utmost courtesy and admiration, and many strove to shake her hand at
the conclusion of this brief ceremony.
Local support for this project
has been provided by individuals and organizations, including worshipers at the
Benedictine Grange in West Redding, the Amalia and Nicola Giuliani foundation
for Religion and the Arts, the McCaffrey Family foundation, and Stephen
Rockwell Desloges, owner of Wilton Art and Framing. Other supportive area
businesses and individuals include: Dilip Shrivastava of Wilton Mailboxes,
Etc., Paul and Cathy of Connecticut Photographics in Danbury, and Wilton Photo.
Those wishing for further information or to support this project may contact
Ann Reeves at 203-762-2277.
Reeves noted that when the
project was completed, the children clasped their scrapbooks close to their
bodies. For some, it was the first real thing they have ever owned, beyond
personal items. She mused, “How can such a project possibly be measured in its
impact? How do we quantify joy, an opportunity to use one’s innate imagination,
or hope? We can’t. But if some connection was made, even for one child, around
what might be possible, if a seed of hope or inspiration was planted in one
youngster’s heart, then the potential impact is incalculable. This is our
hope.”
"Who is important? I
am!"
"What can I do? Anything is possible!"
--Widows at International HIV/AIDS Conference, Kisumu, Kenya
Women's Perspective is dedicated to the
idea that women can be empowered in their financial and spiritual lives,
whatever their culture or economic circumstances may be.
In November, a delegation from
Women's Perspective traveled to Africa to work with women attending the
International HIV/AIDS Conference in Kisumu, Kenya. WP board member, Dr. Jane
Burrus conducted a two-day workshop on financial skills for more than 200
widows of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These women were so hungry for information
that one group traveled five days by bus from Tanzania to attend the conference.
In small groups, widows of all ages
uncovered the "money messages" they grew up with that limit their
ability to manage financially. Using translators and visual props to overcome
language barriers, Dr. Burrus taught basic financial skills, such as using jars
to accumulate money to pay for materials, pay themselves for their time, or
save for the future.
The African widows support
their families any way they can, usually in home-based businesses: selling
vegetables in the market, weaving baskets, making pottery, and providing
services. In the WP workshop, they identified their personal resources, such as
family members or local community leaders who might collaborate or provide
help.
Depression and hopelessness is common
among HIV/AIDS widows, due to economic burdens and the stigma of HIV/AIDS.
"More important than learning any technique, these women came away
empowered and hopeful," said Dr. Burrus. "It was a joy to see them
wearing the pink ribbons we provided and embracing the financial concepts we
offered."
"The primary aspect of
financial planning is a belief that you can take care of things," said Dr.
Burrus. "Most touching to me was to see the women move from daunted to
hopeful, aware of a new way of thinking and the fact that someone cared enough
to come and talk with them."
Throughout Africa orphanages are
sheltering children who have lost their families to HIV/AIDS. Many of these
orphans are struggling with HIV infection themselves.
Bernadette Otieno's nephew
avoided placement in an orphanage because she was able to make a home for her
nephew after his mother, Bernadette's sister, died from HIV/AIDS. Although her
nephew eventually also died, Bernadette is convinced that he stayed healthy
much longer than expected because he remained with her in his home village. Her
nephew was surrounded by loving care-givers in the community where his family
always lived.
In her village of Dunga, outside Kisumu,
Kenya, Bernadette founded a group of 12 women dedicated to home-based orphan
care. Bernadette estimates there are 1,000 more orphans in her area who need
homes. Calling themselves Mothers of St. Rita, Bernadette and her colleagues
have persuaded villagers to take in 43 orphans in the past seven years.
Mothers of St. Rita offer a new
pattern of hope and community to villages ravaged by HIV/AIDS. The group was
recently nominated for the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the
Child. Despite their own poverty, village families want to help the orphans.
However, they need support.
Women's Perspective has offered
to form a group of 12 women to develop a relationship with the 12 women of
Bernadette's orphan-care group. Already the family of one member of the WP
delegation to Africa has contributed funds needed for school supplies, hose
pipes for irrigation, and a cow.
We invite you to join this
one-on-one effort. As a member, your task would be to correspond with a woman
of Dunga village, encourage and pray for her, and learn about the needs of
families that want to take in orphans. You can make this a personal project or
share it with friends and family.
Pictured here, left to right: Charyn
Atkins, Dr. Achola Pala Okeyo, Ann Reeves, Rosemary Williams, and Barbara
Burhans. Dr. Okeyo, longtime friend of WP now based in Nairobi, will oversee
WP's efforts to assist Bernadette's orphan-care group in Dunga.
by Trudelle Thomas
College students in Ohio are
involved in an exciting project that helps them learn about giving to worthy
community groups.
I’m a member of Women’s
Perspective and a college professor. In January 2008, I began teaching a course
as part of Campus Connects Student Philanthropy Project, a group that helps
students learn about philanthropy. Six classes (with six different professors)
at Xavier University (Cincinnati) were given $4,000 per class to distribute
among various community nonprofit groups.
My course in creative writing
was one of the classes chosen to take part. In addition to developing writing
skills, my 20 students also learned about personal philanthropy and about
various community groups that promote what we dubbed “joyful literacy” —
reading and writing for personal enrichment among all kinds of people.
My students researched 20
different literacy groups, developed a set of criteria for evaluating them, and
then targeted several for site visits. Their research led to gifts of between
$300 and $2,400 to four projects. We chose to support creative writing
scholarships for teenage girls, to supply novels and writing materials for
creative writers in middle school, and to furnish a “kids’ reading nook” in a
local library.
At the end of the semester, my
class took part in a large ceremony attended by our donor, students, and the
recipients of cash awards — as well as various community friends. About 150
people attended, which gave them all a chance to learn about various
nonprofits.
Arnice Smith, a grant
recipient, remarked, “Our grant money will be used to transform a cement block
room into an inviting reading corner, complete with bean bag chairs, reading
lamps, and relaxing music. Low-income children who have little peace at home
can come to our library and curl up with a good book!”
For my part, it’s been exciting
to guide the students through the decision-making process. They’ve gone from
thinking very little about giving, to developing a thoughtful giving budget.
Not only have they learned about local groups, they’ve discovered that even a
modest amount of money can make a big difference. Throughout the process, I’ve
drawn heavily on what I learned from conversations with Rosemary Williams and
her book, Women Money and Spiritual Vision.
Our campus philanthropy project
is part of a larger effort on the part of Roger Grein, a Cincinnati businessman
who became interested in giving at an early age. Over the past five years, he’s
donated nearly $100,000 to classes at Xavier University. Students distribute
money to projects that reflect the focus of the course, from environmental
concerns to children’s dental needs to sports philanthropy.
Grein remarks, “It’s the best
money I ever spend. Students learn the decision-making process, I enjoy funding
them, and community groups benefit too. I hope to inspire the young people to
become grant-writers or donors themselves!”
Since beginning this project
five years ago, Roger Grein has expanded the project to 15 college campuses
around the United States. He is in the process of developing similar
philanthropy projects in high schools. His website explains: “Instilling the
spirit of possibility and participation in the next generation is Roger’s
passion and he wants to expand this model throughout the country. He is looking
for other donors to join him in supporting this exciting work of educating the
next generation of philanthropists!”
To learn more about his
efforts, consult his website www.rogergrein.com.
If you want to learn more about how to integrate giving into a college course,
I’m also happy to share my course materials. You can contact me at thomas@xavier.edu.
February
2006
When international speaker and business and personal coach
Patricia Varley looks back on turning points in her career, her grandmother
stands out as her mentor on the spirituality of money.
Affectionately called Gram,
Nilda Follini came of age during the Great Depression. Patricia tells the story
of Nilda’s early job as a secretary whose male boss advised: “Nilda, always
have your own money. Put the house in your name!” It had such a strong impact
on her she passed it down to generations of women in her family.
Born from Italian immigrants,
Nilda and her husband George operated a successful construction and contracting
firm that built the roads, bridges and infrastructure of post-war New York
City. Initially, Nilda would type the proposals while George managed the
construction and his brother Charlie the business deals. As a businesswoman,
and strong supporter of her husband George, one of Nilda’s favorite sayings
was, “Money isn’t the root of evil; the love of money is the root of evil!”
Even as their business
prospered beyond their wildest dreams, Patricia remembers Nilda as the family
“matriarch with a heart” who eschewed an opulent lifestyle. Instead she
invested in a beach home in Connecticut and an ocean front condo in Florida
where the extended family is urged to gather, as well as family trips and
cruises that bonded the generations together. Ever generous to family, friends
and community, Nilda often writes “This isn’t money – this is love” on sticky
notes and attaches them to her gift checks.
Patricia’s grandparents also
spent money educating their three daughters, seven grandchildren and now 20
great-grandchildren, a testimony to Nilda’s adage: “Money is like manure, keep
it on one spot and it will smell. Spread it around and it will fertilize and
make things grow.” Perhaps most critical, Nilda mentored her daughters and
granddaughters in money management, teaching them to take care of themselves
financially. Today most of Nilda’s female offspring own their own businesses
and have saved and invested for their futures.
Patricia sought Nilda’s advice
after founding her speaking and executive coaching business, asking Nilda to
review a proposal Patricia had made to conduct workshops for a major financial
services company. Patricia remembers Nilda standing up after she saw Patricia’s
$2,000 per month fee and saying with conviction: “Now, listen to your
Grandmother. You have to know your worth as a woman and a professional. Charge
$4,000!”
Despite her regard for Nilda’s
wisdom, Patricia kept her proposal at $2,000 (not feeling at the time she was
worth $4,000). Patricia got the contract and learned from the client that she
had left a lot of money on the table. According to Patricia, “Gram knew I
learned my lesson. She never once said ‘I told you so,’ and I never
undercharged for my services again.”
Proof that the lesson stuck? Today Patricia counsels business executives
and professionals to reinvent success from the inside out by reclaiming their
wholeness, by knowing “what they are worth.” Based in Naples, Florida, she
works nationally and conducts workshops and makes keynote presentations for associations
and corporations. For more information, visit www.patriciavarley.com.
Women’s Perspective’s director
Rosemary Williams was struck by Patricia’s powerful stories about Nilda. “Many
of the women who attend our workshops undercharge for their services. I just
got an email from a reader who doesn’t know how much she is worth!” notes
Rosemary.
The mission of Women’s
Perspective is to help women claim their worth and inspire them to align their
spiritual and economic power for the compassionate use of money in the world.
Sounds like something Nilda could appreciate, doesn’t it?