--------GOD IS GOOD !--------------

Dear Friends

A couple of weeks ago we had an ART Day on AIDS Orphans Saturday.

In some ways similar to the World AIDS Day ART Day but with some variations. First a woman from Holland named Carolyn, the wife of a volunteering surgeon, is indeed a qualified artist herself, so had more material from which the children could choose. There were crayons and colored pencils and individual paint palettes and nice big paper on which they could be as creative as their little hearts desired.

No rules, no theme, just have fun! Carolyn had also cut up pieces of brightly colored construction paper which could be glued onto the paper as a form of art.

My job seems to be that of the organizer usually leaning toward the disciplinarian when they don’t follow the rules (ha). But with several assistants, two being my young friends Emmanuel and Osmante, we were able to assist each age group toward the completion of their masterpieces.

At one point I realized there was not enough material to go around so I brought out all the stickers that friends(Ellie, Joan and Carol) had sent me. To tell you the truth I expected a room full of stickers here and there with no rhyme or reason but, boy, was I ever pleasantly surprised. The children spelled out words of meaning to them, then outlined them with stickers—it looked so cool! I have enclosed some for you to see and enjoy.

Another thing that impressed me was how quickly the kids got the concept of ART. Sharing with each other , so all could have many colors, Actually looking at and admiring each others work and just a whole lot more smiles filled the room than our first attempt in December.

I am not an artist by any means, so I really appreciated the pointers from Carolyn for future projects and the help of talented, caring assistants .

Even “cleaning up” went smoother (meaning I didn’t have to do it all myself-ha).

I loved the messages the children turned into art and I hope you will appreciate them as well.

All for now, so much to do to prepare for the first day of school on Feb 5^th.

Then , of course, my personal preparations for my visitors Carol Balderree and Bill Northrup, who arrive respectively on Feb. 19^th in Kampala, Uganda and March 7^th in Kigale, Rwanda.

There will be so much to share with you all as we travel around Uganda, especially trekking the Rwandan hills to see the Gorilla’s. Can’t wait!

Blessings

Marie

------My absolute Favorite----and done all in stickers sent by Carol Ellie and Joan. Thanks!
-------------Kids hard at work "creating" their masterpieces.
------I just hope and pray this picture comes out better than what I am seeing on the screen
------- Such a beautiful work of Art, too bad you can't see the artists equally beautiful smile.
----------Carolyn (the artist from Holland) with helpers: my friends Osmante and Emmanuel.
Sorry I don't recall the other helpers name.
I just love this one done in gluing pieces of paper on the canvas. Monica gets right to the point
-----------------------------Care for the Orphans---That's all!"
-------An attempt to mirror the scenery that I view every day--lucky me!
---------------All the Art was hung up in the Public Health(where I work) for two weeks, then either taken home or it now wallpapers my home.