Unexpected things...

It's amazing how interesting things can get prior to a major trip. The unexpected always occurs. We did recieve a wonderful message from our hosts at Kings Hospital, who stated that they are excited we are coming. They have organized a training with the hospital staff and directors, and we will also be able to visit two orphanages to work with the children. I understand that there will be nearly 170 children between the two locations. They did caution that emotions could be on the surface. I think this is highly possible because like us, they are watching the news, too. The news from Japan must affect them and remind them of their own situation over a year ago.

Thanks to the kindness of friends and family, we are prepared. At times, it is difficult to focus on the daily tasks. Sleep is also disrupted a bit as I remember things to pack, or come up with ideas to incorporate into the training. We do hope to connect up with Caroline Maby from France, who is the director of Couleurs du Coeur, a non-profit organization that provides art therapy. There is a lovely article about her work located at

http://www.midiaglobal.org/article/2011-03-11/haitian_children_find_healing_in_art

What to do with all those feelings???

The news this week has caused many of us to lose sleep. Despite giving myself a "no news" day, compounded by the time change I, myself, was bombarded with images from the news as I was trying to go to sleep. I found myself creating a collage as a way to deal with all the internal images and feelings I was experiencing. I decided to offer this option to my students and colleagues at Converse. As a result, we are now creating a wall of soul collages in response to the tragedy in Japan. Using 5" x 8" cardstock, we searched magazines for images that spoke to us in response to the events in order to create the collages. Written statements were written on the back of each card. The smaller size format allows for containment of overwhelming feelings, and at the same time encourages careful selection of images and words that are truly meaningful. I was also reminded of the 1,000 cranes project. Chains of origami cranes are strung together to bring good luck. I've been making cranes for a day or so now.

In reflecting on our upcoming trip to Haiti, I realized that they have been in recovery for over a year, and have made some headway, but there is still much to do. I feel privileged to be able to go, even for so short a time, but I do hope our efforts will be the start of enduring change. Gratefully, we will be in a relatively safe environment.

Is it me???

Is it me, or are natural disasters more frequent and more devastating? Since 2000 it seems there have been one or two major disasters each year. California has it's fires, tornado alley had it's tornados, the great tsunami in Thailand, two major earthquakes in Pakistan, one in New Zealand, one in Haiti .... and on and on. Japan, of course has a triple threat -- 9.0 earthquate, tsunami and potential nuclear meltdown. Each image I see makes my heart break. It also empowers me to make this trip to Haiti the best possible -- to provide fellowship, hope, and hopefully allow for the development of some sustainable skills in the use of art. I am really grateful for the support of friends, colleagues, and family in this effort. I wish I could be in Japan to help, but I know that their needs are very basic now. There is time. For those of you I know in Japan, I send you my heartfelt prayers for your recovery.

Gettin' ready to go...

Passport, check. Typhoid and TDAP, check. Malaria Meds, check.

Reservations, check. Deposits, check.

Having traveled to many places, including Tunisia, I've never had to worry about so many things before taking a trip. However, all the precautions will make for a safe, more worry free trip. Things yet to do: complete translation of PowerPoint presentation into understandable French. This presents its own challenges. My conversational French is okay, but creating a presentation that involves clinical terminology is different. I have faith that all will go well, though. We've gathered art supplies, read articles about work that has been done in response to other natural disasters, and have been advised of some of the cultural differences we will experience. No fears, though. Not only are we ready for our spring break, we are ready to immerse ourselves in something completely new that will motivate and challenge us to become more compassionate individuals. We will undoubtedly come home changed in many ways.

Excited to go!

There's something about actually making the reservations that makes the conceptual actual. You can actually feel the adrenalin rush because you've now taken that concrete, non-refundable step. We now have six people going -- two Board Certified Art Therapists, three students and one educator. We've partnered with Lumiere Medical Ministries, who have made the arrangements for us, Emporia State University, and CHART (Communities Healing through Art). There will also be two art therapists from France who are going to be working through Haitian Ministries at the same time, and our hope is to meet during our time in Port au Prince to share experiences and learn from each other. We've been very fortunate to have the support of Converse, Emporia and CHART to help make this happen.

Art for Haiti

Converse College art therapy students will be traveling to Port au Prince, Haiti in March 2011 to provide art therapy services and education for the medical staff and partners of Kings Hospital. We are looking forward to this wonderful service learning experience. Current fundraising opportunities are in progress, so watch for more information. We will be traveling with a group from the Emporia State University art therapy program. Watch for more updates, and, if you are planning to attend the upcoming AATA Conference in Washington DC, we will be reporting on our trip at that time.

Humanitarian Efforts in Jamaica

Much has happened in the past year. One of our students, Alexis Decosimo, who finished her studies at Converse and Brevard, spearheaded an art therapy trip to Jamaica, and was accompanied by Converse student Eleanor Johnson. They offered art therapy services to orphanages and the homeless. Please look at her video trailer from December 2010.

http://vimeo.com/19234150

This remarkable young woman is now in Florence, Italy, studying art and enjoying the good life.