AVSI's Collaboration with the Memory Project now in it's 2nd Year

For the second academic year in a row, AVSI-USA is collaborating with a very unique and inspiring initiative called The Memory Project. Through this collaboration, hundreds of high school and middle school students throughout the United States participate in art projects, either the creation of books of portraits, that will reach orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda who participate in AVSI's health and educational programs. In turn, the American students learn about Uganda and the difficulties of life that children face there.

In 2005-2006, hundreds of beautiful, fun and creative hand-made books were sent to Uganda and distributed to individual children as well as schools and libraries. Books are rare commodities in most villages and towns in Uganda, and most children have few if any personal possessions. Yet most of all, the Ugandan children were touched when they heard that other children just like them were thinking about and willing to help them, despite being separated by great distances and cultural divides. A number of young students created story books about their lives in Uganda and sent them to the US to reciprocate the gesture from the American youth. Around 30,000 art students in the US participated this year.

In 2006-2007, the Books of Hope project will continue with even more participants. In addition, Memory Portraits will also be created by talented art students in the US based on hundreds of digital photos of the Ugandan children in AVSI's programs. The purpose of the portraits is to provide the children with a special memory of their youth and to help honor their heritage and identity.

The Memory Project has received considerable press coverage throughout it's short history, mostly from local newspapers but also from CBS Evening News. Visit The Memory Project's website for more information, pictures, and to read quotes from teachers about their students' experiences, www.thememoryproject.org. Contact us at AVSI-USA or contact The Memory Project directly for more information or to get your school involved.

See a news clip from CBS Evening News about the The Memory Project and its origins in Nicaragua. http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=1971619n

For all participating students and schools, click here for a thank-you message!

New Photos Available!

In April 2007, the founders and directors of The Memory Project, Ben Schumaker and Abha Thaker, visited Uganda to personally deliver the Memory Portraits to hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in AVSI programs. Copy and past the following web address into your serve to see a beautiful slide show of the event.

http://picasaweb.google.com/memoryproject/UgandaPortraitDelivery