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How-Will-You-Paint-Your-Canvas

As we are nearing the end of the year, now is your last chance to work on completing this year’s resolution before the ball drops (if you haven’t done so already), and start thinking of a new one for 2016.

We’ve talked a lot about setting and working towards goals. I want to take some time and focus on the collective – the importance of helping other people meet their goals.

When you set and work towards goals, you become an artist, painting the canvas of your life. With each goal, you start with a blank canvas, and stroke by stroke, you work to paint a masterpiece. And when you’re done, you start anew. An artist doesn’t simply create one piece of art and then stop. They start again with a blank canvas and work on a new creation.

Art is a continual process. For an artist, the act of creation doesn’t end when one project is done. Imagine what the world would be like if Walt Disney had stopped at the creation of Mickey Mouse – we’d have no Disneyland.

While we many finish individual projects, art is a process that is never done. The same concept applies to goals. We may achieve, or not achieve, certain goals, but that doesn’t mean our work is done. Just as artists and inventors continue to practice their art until they’ve amassed their life’s work, we are constantly setting and working towards goals. The collection of our goals becomes our life’s work. With each goal, we start with a blank canvas and create something beautiful. The sum of our goals, and the journey to reach them, becomes our life’s portfolio of artwork.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”  – Audrey Hepburn

It is important to set goals for personal achievement, but it is equally as important to set goals that aid others in painting their canvas. When you look back on your life’s work – do you want to see someone who worked solely for their own good, or someone who gave back to those in need around them. From friends to strangers, there are plenty of people in need and many ways you can help.

We talk about wanting to see change in this world; and end to poverty, war, illness, death, etc. That change won’t come unless we paint it so. With a simple brush stroke of the following keys – hope4hearts.org – you can help by making a year-end donation.

With Love and Compassion,
Cristen

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On Giving Tuesday I introduced you to the concept of the blank canvas.  We talked about when a student first comes to our school they are a blank canvas, strong, resilient and ready to paint whatever picture they envision for their future. Hope for Hearts provides the students with the tools to paint that future. I want to take some time and share a few of our success stories:

Najjuuko Resty “Kalisizo”
Kalisizo’s mother died of HIV/AIDS and her father spent his time drinking in bars. She worked for free as a maid and lived on the streets of Kampala, begging by day and prostituting by night. Father Mugagga Lule found Kalisizo and sent her to St. Elizabeth Girls Academy where she received counseling and entered the seamstress in training program. After passing required exams, friends of Father Mugagga bought Kalisizo her own sewing machine.

From a maid and prostitute to entrepreneur and seamstress – Kalisizo painter her canvas and is now a self-employed seamstress, living in St. Balikuddembe.

Nassonko Kirabo Annet
Annet lost her father at an early age and was raised in poverty in a slum called Ndeeba. Her family could not afford to pay for school and she was forced to abandon her education. Annet wanted to learn so she went to St. Elizabeth Girls’ Academy looking to better her life. She received counseling and entered the catering vocation.

From dropout to caterer – Annet painted her canvas and is now working as a waitress and caterer at Best Hotel Busega.

These are just two of the hundreds of lives we have changed. You can help provide even more children with a blank canvas and the tools to paint their future by supporting our organization. There are many ways you can help, large and small.

How She Painted Her Canvas

Sponsor a Child

With our Sponsor a Child program you can sponsor a child from birth to 18yrs. The sponsorship is paid annually and will be used to pay for things like food, shelter, course materials and other assistance. We will contact you annually to consider renewal of your sponsorship. The annual sponsorship of one girl is $20/month x 12 months = $240.00.

Click here to sponsor a child.

Purchase a Kambulago

Each necklace we sell is handmade and one-of-a-kind. Proceeds directly benefit the students at the schools we support.

Click here to purchase a Kambulago.

Donate

We depend 100% on private donations to run our schools and every contribution counts! We appreciate your support in any amount.

  • $25 provides two children a month of meals
  • $120 purchases a sewing machine
  • $240 one child, one year of education
  • $625 feeds 50 for a month
  • $1,200 sponsors five children for the entire year

Click here to donate.

Spread the Word

Can’t contribute financially but want to support the cause? Help us raise awareness and funds by organizing a church or group presentation. We are available to come meet with your group to talk about our important work and how you can get involved.

Click here to contact us and schedule a presentation.

From reading our blog, to making a donation or scheduling a presentation – we appreciate any support you give to Hope for Hearts. Thank you.

With Gratitude,
Cristen

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Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are all behind us. But for non-profits, today is one of the most important days of the holiday season – Giving Tuesday. After feasting on turkey and scoring great deals on holiday presents, today is a day to remember it is also important to give back and support charitable endeavors too. Today, I am humbly asking that you make the most valuable purchase you can – a blank canvas.

What do I mean by this?  Why am I asking you to purchase a blank canvas on Giving Tuesday?

can·vas
ˈkanvəs/
noun

1. a strong, coarse unbleached cloth made from hemp, flax, cotton, or a similar yarn, used to make items such as sails and tents and as a surface for oil painting.

When we think about the word canvas, oftentimes we think of the cloth, or the frame on which artists will paint a picture. While this is the literal meaning of the word, canvas also serves as an important metaphor. You’ve heard the phrase “blank canvas” or “blank slate” before. Always referring to the act of starting over or getting a fresh start. And when you think about it, as much as artwork is beautiful, it is never more beautiful than before the first stroke is painted or drawn. A blank canvas has yet to be explored or formed. It can be anything the artist wishes it to be. The possibilities are endless.

Just like an artist, our students also start with a blank canvas. When they first step foot in our schools they quite literally are coming from nothing. While on the streets they were stuck in a life of insecurity and instability. Doing anything it took to get their next meal or a roof over their heads. But our students are strong like a canvas, and much like a canvas can be used in a sailboat, their minds can help them reach new destinations in life.

When they walk through our doors, they are a blank canvas – getting a fresh start at a new life. They are given the tools and the opportunity to fill that canvas with whatever their heart desires. Do I want to be a Chef? A Seamstress? A Jewelry Maker? The choice is theirs, and it’s beautiful. To have the choice to commit yourself to a better life, to learning a trade that will make you self-sufficient. It’s beautiful. And upon making that choice they spend the next few years painting their canvas with knowledge until they are ready to go back out in the world with their wonderful masterpiece.

When you support Hope for Hearts, you are providing a blank canvas to a child in need of a fresh start. You are giving them an opportunity to recreate and redefine their future until it is the beautiful work of art it was meant to be. Purchase your most valuable peace of art, a blank canvas, by supporting Hope for Hearts this Giving Tuesday.

GivingTuesday-header

With Gratitude,
Cristen

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Deuxième partie (part 2)

On Nov. 13, just days before World Peace Day, a most unpeaceful act was committed when ISIS/ISIL attacked Paris France. During a time when we are supposed to reflect on World Peace, we are now debating how to plan our counterattack on the Islamic extremist organization. There have even been talks of this event being the eventual start of World War III.

prayers-for-paris

When you boil it down, the root of conflict is power. When two sides are at odds, one is seeking power over the other. From a simple argument where both sides seek to be right, to internal wars in a country where each side seeks power and control over the country, to all out international wars seeking power over other countries. The quest for power is at the root of all war.

We wish for world peace so often, but so many don’t know the key to actually achieving it. In this case you can’t fight fire with fire and get world peace. Increased military operations will help keep a country safe, but it won’t contribute to world peace. The other side will always be fighting and struggling to maintain power.

I will leave you with this lasting thought from Jimi Hendrix as a proposed solution:

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

Until then, our hearts go out to the French and the victims of this heinous attack, as well as the millions of innocent lives that are being lost in conflicts around the world. Perhaps now is a good time to start constructing our cranes and wishing for world peace.

Wishing You Peace,
Cristen

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Première partie (part 1)

We’ve talked a lot about peace in our blog. Dissecting it in the Weekend Word, discussing ways to obtain peace.  Days before World Peace Day (November 17) the world again experienced several senseless and horrific terror attacks. Today, I want to tell you the story of one girl, Sadako Sasaki, who inspired people around the word to become advocates for peace.

On August 6, 1945 – The world changed forever. This is the day the world’s first atomic bomb was detonated in Hiroshima. Thousands of people died in an instant. For many others who survived, they would continue to feel the effects of the bomb for many years. Sadako is one of these girls. For Sadako, who at the age of 2 survived the bomb along with her family, life eventually went back to normal.

However, 10 years later, Sadako began to feel sick and dizzy while at school. After visiting doctors at the Red Cross, she was diagnosed with Leukemia – the deadly disease that many of her fellow a-bomb survivors contracted.

While in the hospital, Sadako’s friend told her about the ancient Japanese legend where anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted one wish by the crane. Sadako began folding cranes with her 1 wish “I want to live.”

crane

Sadly, Sadako passed away before she could complete the 1,000 cranes. However, her story of peace doesn’t end there. Her death inspired her fellow classmates, many of whom were also survivors of the nuclear bomb, to take action. They decided to start a movement to erect a monument in Peace Memorial Park to commemorate not just Sadako, but all the children who were affected by the nuclear bomb.

It took two and a half years to raise the funds and build the Children’s Peace Monument. The monument, which is a young girl holding a paper crane on top of a pedestal, stands at nearly 30 feet tall and serves as a reminder of the devastating affects war has on all people, but especially children. There is a stone that reads “Let no more children fall victim to an atomic bombing.” “Thus is our cry. This is our prayer. For building peace in the world.” To this day, children from around the world will send cranes, with a wish for peace, to be placed under the Children’s Peace Monument.

Sadako has become the face of all the children affected by the atomic bomb. There are several Sadako Peace Day’s and even a Sadako Peace Park in Seattle, WA.

Sadako’s story also inspired “Peaceguy” Don Morris to create World Peace Day to encourage people to participate in public demonstrations for peace. He recommends placing paper cranes throughout your city a reminder of the wish for peace, mail your public officials to encourage policies that end war and violence, and leave your headlights on Nov. 17 as a public demonstration for peace.

In this time where we pray for world peace, let’s remember Sadako, and all the children affected by war and violence. Share her story with your children. Construct paper cranes with a wish for peace. Here are a few links to help you:

Sadako’s Story/The Birth of The Children’s Peace Monument: http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/frame/kids_e/sadako_e/index.html

World Peace Day (w/ crane instruction page): http://www.peaceday.org

Sadako Peace Park, Seattle, WA: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=4029

Wishing You Peace,
Cristen