Visit #2

Yesterday I had my second session at the Raphael Centre. It was not nearly as exciting as last time, but it was still a lot of fun and I think that the participants got a lot out of it.

The weather in Grahamstown was awful yesterday. It rained and rained all day, so I suspected that there would be few people at the center. When I arrived I was greeted by six women eating their breakfast. As they finished breakfast I prepared myself for the lesson. As I looked around the room I realized that none of these women were there during the first session, so I would just repeat what I did the week before: symbols.

The ladies were excited to draw and paint. They eagerly picked up the colored pencils and began drawing for me. After the first woman finished she asked for another paper. Soon all the women were asking for another sheet and then another. Each woman drew me three different pictures. Another surprise was a man who came to join us about halfway through my time there. He drew, as well. It was nice to have a man in the group, I've never seen one there before. He promised to come back next week.

The products this time were a lot different than last time. A common theme was gardens and animals, two things that I think are also therapeutic. Also, this time only two women wrote in English, so I asked a girl down the hall from he to translate the Xhosa for me. When that is done I will post everything here.

I heard a rumor that there's a scanner on campus that I can use and I'm going to try and get there ASAP so I can scan the images and put them up here. I think it's important for their drawings/paintings to be seen.

One item that stuck out to me this week was a poster-style painting that one woman drew. Across the top it says "HIV & AIDS" in bright colors, then she wrote: "HIV is the virus is no cure. When I disclose about myself it was 1999 (she was 17). I like the Raphael Centre. I love the people I stay with at the Centre. My family love me to." I thought it was very brave of her to write this on a poster like this. She did exactly what I want them to do with their photographs: make HIV/AIDS personal. She painted two other pictures, as well. One of her house and yard that says "dreams can come true," and another of the farm that her father grew up on. The tree that she drew in her yard is so beautiful. She is a wonderful artist and spent a lot of time on her work.

I will post the rest when I get them translated.

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I have been receiving emails about donations and I have been made aware of campaigns for donations that are being done in the States. I want to thank everyone involved. I never imagined that this project could grow so much, but now that it is I am thrilled. The women at the Raphael Centre, as well as the street children, will all appreciate your donations more than I could ever express. Thank you very much for your support.

Anyone interested in donating art supplies or disposable cameras, please email me at KarenHye@aol.com

Thank you again!