Artists on Call:
Life in Kenya
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Last year, I came to Kenya for the first time. I stayed in a nice Guest
House that was gated off and full of fellow travelers. I rode in Land
Rovers around the City. This year, I came alone, without a group and
decided to stay for three weeks instead of one. I also decided to stay
with a Kenyan family instead of in a hotel or Guest House. And, to get
even more of the experience, I ride public transit or walk and I go to
the local market instead of the mall. I am experiencing urban Kenya! Read More
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Artists on Call:
Dominican Republic
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It is a hot evening, the air conditioned room is welcoming. Women from
three different worlds gather in a shared space. Jill Osielsky and
Kari Reed (standing in photo) move effortlessly about the room
assisting novice jewelry makers in crimping, beading, and wirework. A
woman stands, dances about the room and shouts, "¡Lo hice!" (I made it).
Read More
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Learn More About BuildaBridge
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Why Give??
BuildaBridge Facebook
In the News
Join us on Ning
Diaspora of Hope
205 West Tulpehocken Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 215.842.0428
Fax: 215.842.2025
Email: info@buildabridge.org
Website: www.buildabridge.org
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Greetings!
How are you spending your Thanksgiving this year? Sixteen artists from the US and Canada are now in Kenya, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Egypt. Their Thanksgiving is one of giving back. They'll be eating beans and rice, chapati and sukumu wiki, and falafel and making life-changing art with children from very difficult circumstances.
These Artists on Call will be joined by
scores of local artists in each country as they plan, train and
implement an arts camp on the themes of hope, peace, and unity. This excited and professional group of artists are participating in
BuildaBridge's annual Diaspora of Hope. This is the first year Diaspora
of Hope will also have a project in Philadelphia. Our goal is not just an arts camp for kids--which is important. We are avid about partnering with local organizations and assisting in building local capacity and sustainable life-changing programs that bring hope, peace and unity in a world where many children suffer in the contexts of poverty. In a critical global economic time--one that has even affected BuildaBridge--we thank you for your support of BuildaBridge. |
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Donate to BuildaBridge
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We STILL Need Your Help 
to Raise $50,000
We STILL need your help!
Can you donate $10 (or more!) to support BuildaBridge's work using the arts as a
method to build social, academic, character and artistic skills?
Donations contribute to BuildaBridge's sustainability and improve the quality of programming to children and families coping with homelessness.
Can't you afford $10? Give online, click the link below.
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Philadelphia Cares Day, Success!
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BuildaBridge teams up with Greater Philadelphia Cares
 On October 17th, Greater
Philadelphia Cares
lead the call to improve Philadelphia's public
schools by painting classrooms, restoring playgrounds, and creating
green spaces. BuildaBridge took part in Philadelphia Cares Day, a
marathon day of service that
gives children attractive and more functional learning places in
schools located throughout the School District of Philadelphia.
BuildaBridge has been partnered with the School District since 2002,
providing programs to children and families coping with homelessness in
emergency and transitional homes.
At 7:30am on Saturday, October 17, I faced the cold rain, and set out
to Fairmount Park, the kick-off point for the 16th Annual Philadelphia
Cares Day. There, I was met by five other BuildaBridge
volunteers-which is a big turnout considering the absolutely miserable
weather! From Fairmount Park, we received our site assignment-Prince
Hall Elementary School in North Philadelphia.
Read More
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International Volunteer Spotlight
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Liz Laribee Featured Artist
 For the entire month of December, Liz Laribee
will be the featured artist at Midtown Cinema's Reel Cafe Gallery in
Harrisburg, PA. Liz is a BuildaBridge volunteer in our International
office in Harrisburg. The show, called Functional Fixedness, features
paintings of the artist's favorite places in Harrisburg. The canvases
are discarded household structures, making this a completely recycled
art show.
In support of local art and community development, Ms. Laribee is
donating $10 from the sale of each painting to BuildaBridge
International and their Paint a Brighter Future Campaign. Functional
Fixedness coincides with the Campaign's effort to raise $50,000 by the
end of December to fund art education for communities with limited
resources. For more information on the campaign, please visit http://www.buildabridge.org/painting-a-brighter-future/index.html.
Read More
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International Training Session
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Diaspora of Hope 2009 Begins!!
In e arly November, 14 artists gathered at BuildaBridge to prepare
for this year's Diaspora of Hope. This year, artists will disperse
throughout the world and will be serving in Philadelphia, Nicaragua,
Guatemala, and Kenya. Artists work hard throughout the year raising
funds for their travels and attending training sessions in Classroom
management, Curriculum Writing, and the BuildaBridge Model. In
addition, artists in each of the International locations prepare
through training and planning to join with Artists on Call during the
third week in November. In all, approximately 70 artists worldwide will
be participating in this year's Diaspora of Hope.
Diaspora of Hope grew out of Thanksgiving art-making mission with Guatemalan gang members in prison in 2007 and a single artist and BuidlaBridge board member Ron Hevey. In 2008, the Diaspora of Hope project continued when sixty artists from
five countries donated their time and services over the Thanksgiving
holidays to provide Arts for Hope camps to 300 children in Kenya,
Haiti, and Guatemala.
Read More
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International Visitors
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A Fond Farewell to Zheng Ye
 On October 29th BuildaBridge gave a fond farewell to one of its newest
and highly regarded friends. After a two month residence at
BuildaBridge, it was time for Zheng Ye to return to his home in China.
In collaboration with the American Baptist Church which sponsored Zheng
Ye's visit to the United States, BuildaBridge provided ESL tutoring and
a learning agenda. A social worker from the Amity Foundation, Ye wanted
to learn about American culture and the operational structure of
non-profits in the US. Ye garnered a lot of useful information during
his stay that he hopes will benefit future programs at the Amity
Foundation.
Ye's stay at BuildaBridge became more than just an educational and
cultural exchange; it became the groundwork for mutual friendship.
While living at the BuildaBridge House, Ye assisted other volunteers in
sanding and painting the façade of the antiquated mansion, and in the
backyard he planted a peach tree appropriately named "Ye". He also
participated as a teacher's assistant at one of BuildaBridge's program
sites. With his unwavering smile, friendliness, and good humor he
quickly went from being a guest to becoming family.
Read More
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BuildaBridge is currently traveling all over the world while continuing to carry on the important work we do in Philadelphia's emergency and transitional homes. We are very hopeful about raising $50,000 for the
Painting the Brighter Future Campaign. We can get 5000 people to donate
$10. Please donate $10, or more, now. Give online by clicking the link below. We do accept checks. For those in the US, have a blessed Thanksgiving. We wish and work for the world to be at peace, full of hope and unity.
Sincerely,
Dr. J. Nathan Corbitt
BuildaBridge International |
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