I love to volunteer whilst I globe trot, so I am always looking for opportunities to spend quality time connecting with locals, so I can learn about the culture and traditional values of the country I am visiting. Its wonderful if the project I discover is art related and this particular position  in Peru fit my skill set perfectly, and serendipity how it fell into my path . I  had struck up a conversation with  a lovely lady over a cuppa morning tea in the Jungle, she had been doing some fundraising for the Orphanage and was actually wanting to find an artist to create a mural for the children 

Next Day I flew back to Cusco for a met up with the manager at the orphanage to discuss visual ideas for the new inspiring and uplifting mural. The theme for the art was taken from a text given to me that described the sun’s incredible energy, gods creations, beauty and forces of nature and all that all thrived under this bright light. It talked about Love and compassion amongst human souls and healing for all

 So my attempts were to design & create a cheerful bright nature inspired image with animals native to Peru cradled in the suns light.

My Talented new artist friend of mine Davis Torres,  helped me with the entire creative process.

Davis, grew up through the care of ELIM orphanage, he now speaks fluent English has an education and he is encouraged to follow his creative talents too -I love his art.  As we were painting together that week, he shared with me his story of his past abusive family life that had forced him to take to the streets and how tough it was to survive out their so young and emotionally lost. He explained to me how grateful  he now is to have been rescued and given  a chance of a decent life. Davis now works at ELIM orphanage helping to counsel the children staying here, encouraging and inspire the children through his own story so that they too will have a second chance to create an enjoyable life.

 Such fun project, I absolutely adored the kids I interacted with. I  witness them giggle amongst themselves as they proudly and enthusiastically painted the walls in bright colors. Most of the orphans I met had run away from very abusive homes and were found alone begging on the streets of Cusco, from ages as young six years old with their daily chore being one’s of survival. They sleep in the cold and the rain; they have to steal for their food. Such an overwhelming amount of love pours out of these people hearts at ELIM orphanage, providing the children’s shelter love & protection, a chance for a new beginning.

 .