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
Campaigns
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
A Big Hit
Catholic Sisters around the world take a vow of poverty. They not only work in some of the toughest neighborhoods out there, they live there too. In one neighborhood in San Salvador, El Salvador, gang violence and extreme poverty paralyze communities. Many people don't feel comfortable walking freely through the streets, instead staying inside as much as possible. But at the community center run by the Sisters, everyone is welcome. "The young people here face unbelievable challenges," said Sister Veronica. "But older people do, too." One of the activities they have for older folks? Pinata making and embroidery! It's a way for seniors to connect to their culture, provide value to their families and friends, and make a little extra money, too. But the Sisters often run out of supplies for these makers to do their thing. So for Day 184, we're helping fuel their work with new pinata-making and embroidery supplies to last them through the year! Sister Veronica and her … [Read more...] about A Big Hit
Saying Thanks
The volunteers who made our Za'atari ideas possible over the past week also live in the refugee camp themselves. Every day, they volunteer at the Youth Center or out in the communities. We knew we wanted to say thanks and do something special for this incredible team. One night, we gathered the whole team together for an Iftar dinner to break the daily Ramadan fast. Then each volunteer was presented with personalized Changemakers chocolate! Staff coordinator Manar had nothing but praise for this team and their work, and knew the party was a special recognition of what they continue to do every day to better their community. “Being generous and helpful, and to feel it with others – this is part of Ramadan and is very much related to being Changemakers! It doesn’t matter who or where you are – we are all human.” During our time in Za'atari, we've met truly incredible people, families, volunteers, and staff who believe in each other - who know that sometimes, it's the … [Read more...] about Saying Thanks
The Little Things
Sometimes the best ideas for change are those that make regular daily tasks simpler. And that’s what we heard today when we delivered two refrigerators to families that had been without. First we met Eman Al Ali. She lives with her brother and mother, who has asthma. She works outside the home and also helps with chores around the house. Because they don’t have a refrigerator in their home, Eman goes to the market often to get fresh food to be eaten before it spoils. With the new refrigerator, she is able to buy more food in one shopping trip. The refrigerator also keeps her mother’s medicine cool. And in the heat of Zaa’tari Camp, water chilled in the fridge is also valued. “For my mother’s Asthma I use the cold water to put it on a cloth and to wet her face and nose to help her breathe better.” Abd Alkareem was also looking for a solution to help his family eat fresher food, especially his youngest daughter, whose stomach can’t tolerate powdered milk. “Without a … [Read more...] about The Little Things
Dreaming Big
Yesterday, we saw how Rola’s dream came true with the simple investment in her cooking business. And today we’re featuring another Changemaker whose work out of her home is building her skills and confidence in her business. Meet Waed, a successful cook that was having problems building her business to a bigger scale. “I already cook for small gatherings and events, but having so few things to work with prevented me from getting more done and taking bigger orders.” Waed wanted to dream big. Her husband heard a local NGO was hosting food for 100 people and encouraged Waed to prepare the meal. “I was very afraid in the beginning, but he encouraged me. So I overcame my fear and actually did it! And that was the start.” Getting additional equipment helps build Waed’s business, so she can take on more large-scale projects like a 100-person meal. But it doesn’t stop there! Waed is already thinking about the future and investing more into her business. “I want to have a … [Read more...] about Dreaming Big
Meet Rola
Meet Rola. She lives in Za'atari Refugee Settlement, and has the idea to invest in her skills as a cook. “I cook for my family almost every day, and when I help my neighbors I was getting very positive feedback. So I started to think I might be able to invest in my cooking skills.” But she lacked one important thing – cooking implements! Rola has been asked to cook large meals for community gatherings, and had to borrow her pots and utensils to prepare the meal. So today, we delivered to Rola her very own set of equipment. Her new tools has made cooking even more fun – now, she even makes ice cream! But what has really made the difference for Rola is her ability to invest in the future – for herself, her family, and her community. “I always think that I want to be one of the reasons that our circumstances as a family and as a community to get better,” she said. And Rola has even bigger hopes for the future. “I will be able to strengthen my personality and become … [Read more...] about Meet Rola
One Stop Shop
Haytham has been living in Za’atari Refugee Camp with his family ever since it was established five years ago. But the only job he could find to support his wife and three children was doing back-breaking work in the tomato fields with his son. “Life has been so hard on this man!" said Manar, the coordinator the Youth Center. "He knocked on as many doors as he could to find a decent job, but nothing ever turned up.” His kids even had to occasionally stop going to school because he couldn’t provide for their basic needs, like clothing, school supplies, and food. The team in Jordan had an idea. Why not help Haytham set up a small shop inside the camp, so he could better provide for his family? This small amount of income will also ensure his children can stay in school. His eldest son is now preparing to take final exams for graduation, and we’re hopeful this shop will ensure he can focus on passing the exams and looking toward the future. Such a big return on a … [Read more...] about One Stop Shop