Monday, April 10, 2006

HUMMINGBIRD SPREADS IT'S WINGS

Pastel by Jean-Françoís Le Saínt
Hummingbird spreads its wings..., originally uploaded by carf.

The Art of Compassion


I have just been honoured with this very special gift and I am overjoyed with it.

A very competent artist and Flickr friend, Jean-Françoís Le Saínt, creatively conceived this beautiful pastel portrait, of 7-year old José Roberto, one of the children attended by our Hummingbird programme in a nearby favela.

The motive chosen in this beautiful artwork is based on our recent community programme called Beija-Flor na Comunidade (Hummingbird in the Community), where youth leaders and mobilizers visited the nearby favelas to offer the children various artistic, cultural and sporting activities.

You can see the photos and read more about the programme by visiting our Flickr gallery, "Hummingbird Spreads It's Wings"
For a quick review, see the Slide Show

There is also a separate illustrated article in the archives of this Blog. That's actually José Roberto's foot securing the spade below...
Click here for the article

I am still contemplating the full meaning of this fabulous composition, as there is more to his work than meets the eye.

Jean-Françoís had already surprised me last week with another gift; a most unexpected portrait of the very first kid I had rescued from the streets of São Paulo back in 1993; Diego, who was tragically gunned-down and died in the arms of his girlfriend only a couple of years ago, but who’s memory still lives strongly in those who got to know him during this last decade.

It is compassionate actions like these in support of my work, that help me believe in and carry on with the near impossible task it is of recuperating the lives of kids who have already lost most of their childhood.

Jean-Françoíse, your gift means more than any amount of money can buy. Thank you my friend!

Gregory J. Smith
CARF Brasil

Please visit Jean-Françoíse gallery of pastels at jfls.free.fr

posted by CARF Brazil @ 17:36   8 comments

Basic Scholarships – USD$40.00 - $50.00 per month

Aimed at impoverished younger children participating in our Street Migration Prevention Programme, normally aged between 11 and 14 years of age. This scholarship guarantees their active participation at the Hummingbird Activity Center alongside their essential attendance in public schools. The scholarship helps combat child labor in high-risk families by preventing these children becoming new victims. The scholarship is awarded to those in particularly difficult life situations where survival often becomes a more important factor than the child’s educational needs and mental and physical health. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this child's life.

Intermediate Scholarships - USD$60.00 - $70.00 per month

This youth scholarship is aimed at developing vocational interests in young people as they grow with our programme, guaranteeing their commitment and eventually leading them on towards an advanced scholarship. A firmer step towards their personal life project. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this young person's life.

Advanced Scholarship - USD$80.00 - $100.00 per month

Aimed to inspire older youth reach their potential in whatever area they are developing natural or acquired abilities in programmes at the Hummingbird Activity Centre. The scholarship can be used to cover costs for supplementary, external educational courses or for extra training sessions and materials. Such funds would otherwise be an impossible priority for them to obtain within an impoverished family situation. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this young person's life.
"THE RICH MUST LIVE MORE SIMPLY SO THAT THE POOR MAY SIMPLY LIVE." - Mahatma Gandhi