Sparrow Village

These are beautifully written articles about Sparrow Village and the history of the AIDS problem in South Africa. Click on each on to get a larger, readable version.

While in South Africa, and working with the children of Sparrow Village, I completed approximately 62 portraits (I prefer to call them "character studies") of the children, adults in the hospice, and the nursing staff.

These precious children don't deserve the cards they have been dealt, living HIV positive and some with AIDS. Now that they receive medications regularly, they have a chance to live relatively normal lives and to be worthy contributors to society.

It is my desire to teach painting to those children who are artistically talented so that they will have something positive to go forth in the world, become responsible citizens, and make a difference in their lives and others. Needless to say, I left my heart in South Africa.

From the little portraits of the children I have developed a print that I donated to Sparrow so they could use it for prints to sell. When I returned this year (2007) I was overwhelmed to see it printed on the back of their bus, that was donated to them by several organizations in South Africa. They are also using it on their business cards, annual report, and fund raising promotions. I am so happy that it has been helpful to them.

In 2007, I made a plea to artists across the country for art supplies that I could take to them. The response was so great, that I couldn't possibly take all the supplies, and the cost of postage is so high, that it wasn't going to be cost effective. So I packed one bag to the limit with a balance of paper, brushes, paint, palettes, beads, and all sorts of things that I felt they would enjoy using. And the rest was donated to a church school.

In addition to the art supplies, I received quite a bit of money with which to purchase supplies at their local art supply store. I took two of the boys to help shop for art supplies. We practically bought the place! There was still quite a bit of money left over, so I hired a local college art student to teach them in a weekly class. We will be keeping in touch by email so that I can watch their progress through photos she will send.

These children love to be busy, and art is one of their main interests. Of course, like other children in the world, they have discovered games played on the TV and the computer, and we allow them to come to the volunteer lodge and play with them in small groups. We are trying to give them as much of a normal life as possible. We even have "sleep overs"!

The children bake cakes for birthdays, and practice reading their English when reading the instructions. Every thing that we have them do is a learning experience for their future. They are LIVING! and will have a future.

Below are just some of the little studies that I painted and gave to the children and nurses. You will see some of these images in the print above.

Today's Orphans, Tomorrow's Leaders

This is a painting on watercolor canvas, 52" x 16" representing the many moods of the children and adults at Sparrow Village,...those who rejoice, those who are uncertain of their future or resigned to it, those who have made close friends, and those with a sense of accomplishment, and those who are reaching out for help.

Crossroads...from Despair to Hope and Happiness
This is another painting of other South Africans we met in Lawley, Kapak,
and other squatter camp areas. The children were full of energy and smiles, and the adults were equally as friendly even though they were carrying loads of tea and sticks on their heads.

These two men live in Kapak with their families, and members of our group entertained them with magic tricks and conversation. At first they seemed skeptical, but then their moods quickly changed to acceptance and laughter.

An uplifting miracle has happened there since I left. The little boy that you see reaching his hand out, is over 3 years old and weighed only 13 lbs in March, has now gained weight, has a full head of hair and is crawling for the first time in his life, due to a volunteer from Chagrin Falls who spent three months working with him, and getting him on a better diet. I had thought he would not be alive when I returned in March of 2007, but I am happy to report that he has gained weight, has more color to his skin, and even takes a few steps. We never believed this could happen, but many of the children finally respond to the medications and suddenly overnight they make a complete turnaround.

The first of the portraits shown here were done in 2007 (my second year in South Africa). The 2006 portraits follow. A couple of the children wanted their portraits done again due to damage to the previous ones, or that they simply thought they were cuter this year. Vanity prevails!

Now for the 2006 portraits..
I was amazed at the growth from 2006 to 2007. Some of the children are becoming quite handsome, and some are beautiful.

Lebohang...................

........Happiness...........

..............Andy.............

Balungile.....................

..............Emily..............

..............Michael ...........

.......Brian and Thabiso...........

.....Mandla Nkosi and Pauline.......

......Thabiso.......

.....Minenhle........

...................Mehle..........

......Miriam...................

...........Mongezi.........

...............Nicky..........

.......Nomathemba.........

......Nonhlanhla............

.....Mziwakhe Phulia

......Prince....................

.........Sabelo................

..........Wendy..................

I hope that you can join me in the fight to save these children from humiliation and the ignorance that still prevails in South Africa for the people with this disease.

Now, more character studies of the adults:

Maria

Vincent

Boitumelo

one of the nurses

Corine
the founder of Sparrow Village. She believes that no person should die alone, and sits at the bedside of any patient who is close to death. A strong woman with a heart of gold,....and she rides a Harley!

Ben, a patient, and he was my photographer and helper during my painting sessions

Jason

one of the patients....After I left his little baby boy passed away in the hospice. Funerals are so common there, but nevertheless, they are treated with dignity and respect.

Angie....one of the aids

Carol, one of the nurses

Gloria, one of the aids

Joyce, one of the patients

"Kentucky"...one of the patients. She is very beautiful, but has severe burn scars over her chest and neck all the way up to the chin. Her husband put a tire around her shoulders, filled it with gasoline, and set it on fire. This was his way to be sure that no other man would look at her. Very sad.

Patience
She is the teacher of the pre-school children in the Creche. She is also a patient at Sparrow, and not too long ago was at death's door. Now that she is on the ARV medication, she is robust and healthy, and is a favorite with everyone at Sparrow.

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Violet, one of the nurses. She works in the nursery with the babies.

These are all the portraits that I was able to photograph. Many of the patients grabbed them and ran to show their families. I didn't realize it until it was too late.

But I think you get the idea of what this wonderful place is doing for the people who are so unfortunate as to be infected with HIV and AIDS.

Please visit the Sparrow Village site: and if you are so inclined, offer to sponsor a child for a year. It costs $450. Of course anything that you can give is appreciated.

http://www.sparrowvillage.co.za

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And last but certainly not least is Olga.....with that beautiful smile. She heads up the sewing section of the Craft Center at Sparrow. She is exuberant and enthusiastic about helping others help themselves.

Daily Journey

Image size: 8" x 10" on a Watercolor Panel, suitable for a table easel or framing.

These women carry everything on their heads. The one on the left is balancing a bucket of tea (liquid!) on her head, walking on an uneven dirt road. I am amazed at their ability to do this.

NEW!

Sunrise on the Serengeti

Image: 16" x 36" painted with a gallery wrap (around the edges, not requiring framing. Finished with Heavy Gel Gloss.

Friends of mine went on a Safari and took beautiful photos from which I have painted a few lovely scenes, as I did not get to the beautiful parts of South Africa on my first trip. In March of 2007, I will be returning and this time, will go to Capetown. I expect to be painting some more dramatic scenes from that area this year.

NEW!

An artist I have made friends with over the internet has the same passion that I do for the children of Africa. Her name is Shirley Charlton. Her work is passionate and the sales go toward feeding the children in Malawi. Click on her name for the link to her site.

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