There's nothing like live theater. It has the power to tell stories, make social commentary, bring people together. In Mugwamba Refugee Camp, there is a local drama club that's achieving all these things, sharing their passion while giving back to the community at the same time. We knew that after the volleyball tournament there would be a large diverse crowd at the finish. What a perfect time to let the drama club share their skills! All they needed was a small PA system, some chairs, and a tent. And voila! The stage was set. These talented actors shared their beautiful gift with their community, and drove an important message home - violence against anyone is never the answer. As they performed, one viewer said, “It’s true, what happened here is exactly what happens in some of the families.” The message resonated with her, and that there was a need for change. Doing the doable can be as simple as providing a space and audience for actors with an important message … [Read more...] about Center Stage
Changemakers365
Ready, Set, Spike!
In Mugombwa Refugee Camp, volleyball is a staple game for youth. The court is at the center of everything, so it also makes for the perfect place for people to stop by and catch a game! With so many people coming and going, we thought this also might be the perfect spot to raise awareness about one of the issues we work on in Mugombwa - preventing violence against women and children. Not only is the game a beloved pastime, but these are important issues that need to be addressed. So, we organized a tournament - complete with brand new jerseys for the teams! Everyone from young children to seniors came out to show their support. As the game progressed, our team lead, Chantel, presented important information and helped raise awareness with the community. “This is a very good campaign because while they pass messages about violence prevention and early pregnancy, they get to watch the game and it’s exciting!” said one of the participants. Chantel even got the crowd … [Read more...] about Ready, Set, Spike!
A Light in Kigeme
Kigeme refugee camp is very much like a little community. People have each other's backs. Especially the Community Activists. The CAs help us do our work better. They know the ins and outs of the neighborhoods and know the leaders of each group. They themselves are leaders, and people come to them for advice. Because they're always doing so much for others, we wanted to do something for them - a small gift to light their way as they light up the community. Enter Watts of Love solar lamps! With a little extra light, the CAs will be able to walk around and serve more easily, even after the sun has gone down. The hilly terrain of Kigeme can make it dangerous to navigate in the dark. These lights will take the guess work out of walking! It's tough to imagine just how very dark it can get in Kigeme when the sun goes down. But when it does, the darkness is complete. With solar lamps in hand, these community activists will get where they're going with a little more … [Read more...] about A Light in Kigeme
Like a Team
In Kigeme Refugee Camp in Rwanda, every year there is a community football tournament. Many teams participate for a shot at the glory of taking home first place! Crowds gather all around the football pitch to catch a glimpse of the big game. This year we wanted to make it a little different. We surprised the last two teams by showing up with new jerseys and soccer balls! A small change to make their hard work pay off and make the game that much more special. The teams chose yellow and red jerseys. And there was SO much excitement as we passed out the jerseys. They felt like a true team, like the champions and heroes that they watch on T.V.. Both teams played well but the red team took home the victory! We held a small ceremony celebrating both teams for their hard work and making it to the final round. We discussed the importance of being a leader in the community both on and off of the field, and how they have the power to take change into their own hands, too. … [Read more...] about Like a Team
Better Connected
Meet the women of Red Rama. Sisters Veronica, Claudia, Carmela and more have banded together to stop human trafficking, which plagues their communities in El Salvador where they work. These Catholic Sisters form a network of advocates, supporters, and friends who provide safe havens for the most marginalized and vulnerable people in the region. The Red Rama ladies jump in wherever they're needed to help those in need. So for Day 190, we're helping them for a change - with the tools needed to reach even more. Sometimes the best tools are the simplest - like a printer and computer! So we took Carmela and her comrades shopping to find the best tech tools to suit their needs. Staying connected and having resources at their fingertips is perhaps the most important thing these women can do to maximize their impact. Having their very own computer will make it that much easier to do what they do even more powerfully. How will they use their new tools? "For so much!" … [Read more...] about Better Connected
Winning Big
The Centro Arte Para La Paz in Suchitoto, El Salvador is more than just an art center. It's a place for people to gather - on the weekends, in the afternoon, with friends and with classmates. There are lots of things to do and to learn. But sometimes, just hanging out and playing games is meaningful, too. Having a safe space to spend time with friends and simply relax isn't always the easiest thing to do in towns struggling with gang violence and healing from conflict. So for today, we're helping students and adults alike have a different way to spend some time. Who doesn't love board games? We picked up something for everyone - Cranium for the brainiacs, Pictionary for creative types, Jenga for thrill seekers, and Dominoes for something calm, and more! The games are something really simple. But they're not activities that are easily accessed by a lot of the kids who live in and around Suchitoto. They'll not only help young people learn a little differently, they'll … [Read more...] about Winning Big
Keeping Cool
The energy at the Centro Arte Para La Paz is always high. There are kids creating art, teens playing music, visitors at the museum, community events...phew! All that activity is wonderful - but it can also get really hot. While we were visiting, we noticed that none of the classrooms had fans - or if they did, they looked pretty old and a little bit broken. So we thought we'd do what we could to make those classrooms a little cooler. The quick answer? More fans! These fans aren't necessary to create beautiful, vibrant art. But they don't hurt! A little breeze will help kids and adults alike keep cool, calm, and collected as they discover their creativity, talents, and the simple joy of being together. … [Read more...] about Keeping Cool
Space for More
At Centro Arte Para La Paz, Sister Peggy has helped to turn one small art center into a proper tourist attraction. People from all over the region - and the world! - come to learn at the museum, see works of art in their gallery, and eat delicious meals at their cafe. The cafe is an important part of the center. Not only because it keeps visitors full and happy, but also because the profits from the cafe are reinvested back into the center. The more papusas and rice people order, the more art can be made! But they're always running into one problem. "We don't have enough tables and chairs!" said Sister Peggy. "If we could fit more people inside, it would help with our profits." More tables and chairs to help keep this incredible place alive? No problem! We went out and purchased three long tables and enough chairs to almost double the amount of people who could sit comfortably at the cafe. The art center is a special place. And anything we could do to help more people … [Read more...] about Space for More
Creating Peace
Suchitoto was at the heart of conflict during El Salvador's civil war. Since then, the town has done much to find peace and rebuild. And much of that healing is due to the vision of one Sister Peggy O'Neall. Sister Peggy runs the Centro Arte Para La Paz in Suchitoto. “This is a healing space," she said. "Our aim is to help people remember what it is to be human.” Armed with the deep belief that art and music bring out the very best in humanity, Sister Peggy is a tireless advocate for the arts - especially for young people. Splashes of color and bold sculptures fill the halls. But that also means that teachers are always in need of one thing - more supplies. So, we figured, that was something we could help with! We gathered a bunch of supplies - markers, colored pencils, different types of paint, paper, brushes and more. From beginners to more experienced artists, there was something for everyone. Javier, one of the art teachers and a longtime dear friend of Sister … [Read more...] about Creating Peace
In Tune
No matter who or where you are, music feeds the soul. Listening to music has the power to comfort and lift up. And learning how to make it can transform lives. No one knows that better than Sister Peggy and her students in Suchitoto, El Salvador. At the Art Center for Peace she's been running for the past 30 years, music rings through the halls as young people practice their craft. Colorful art hangs from the walls. And for a few hours each week, students find peace, comfort, and purpose. The center has a really terrific piano program. But there are so many eager students wanting to learn, that sometimes there aren't enough keyboards to go around. That's where we stepped in to help. "These kids live in poverty," said Sister Peggy. "But when they walk to and from this place with a guitar on their back, they stand a little prouder." In the spirit of encouraging such creative expression and confidence, we got the center three more brand new keyboards. Now, there's just a … [Read more...] about In Tune