Beauty For Ashes Project Update for July 2013
We wanted to share a few highlights from some of the things we at Beauty For Ashes Project did last month here in Nicaragua. We started out the month by giving out gently used children's clothing and shoes that were collected in the US to our families outside of the trash dump as well as in the barrio Las Banderas. We also outfitted the church outside of the trash dump, El Faro, with almost 100 children's English books and study materials for the free English class they provide every Friday evening for the youth in the community. The kids were so excited and grateful for the books and we want to thank Bethany Elementary school in Clover, SC for donating their used books to us!
There was a tornado that touched down in Las Banderas in the beginning of June destroying homes and terrifying many families. We worked with the community to help rebuild homes, restore hope and remind these families that we will wage through every storm with them. We were even able to supply a brand new roof for a single mother and her 9 children that had no protection after the storm. The entire community came together to help aid one another in rebuilding homes. Because of our friends from Totes of Hope and their generous gifts of toothbrushes and Spanish Bibles to us, we were able to give out not only dinner to the workers and families that night but also Bibles and dental supplies. We threw a carnival style event for the children in Las Banderas and spent a day playing games, laughing, face painting and turning over a new leaf after the effects of the tornado. It was just what everyone needed to lift their spirits and a fun way to show how much we love them.
This month we began our Trash Tree art installation project for the grant we won through Awesome Without Borders. This art therapy project was a huge hit with the kids outside of the trash dump. We collected and cut dozens of plastic bottles into the shapes of flowers and the children painted them and covered them in glitter for hours. We will be assembling all the flowers together on one tree to make a beautiful sculpture to be placed inside of their community. We look forward to showing you the final product and continuing this project with the kids in Las Banderas as well!
We surprised four of the girls from the trash dump this month with a very special night on the town. These four girls had shown a great interest in dance and even helped perform a special dance during an event known as Día de Luz in their community back in May. Emily and Amanda Cobb, Gran Pacifica's CEO's daughters, performed with dozens of other dancers at the Ruben Dario Theater here in Managua. The girls were able to get all dressed up and go to the theater to see this amazing performance. They were so wide-eyed and it was a night they will never forget and neither will we!
Lastly, we launched our biggest fundraiser project to date in June to help raise funds to build a sewing initiative and art therapy studio in Las Banderas. We urge you to check out our short video and project on Kick Starter so you can see the plans we have to bring sustainable change to the community of Las Banderas. Look forward to updating you next month on all of the amazing things happening here. Thank you and God Bless.
