Art Therapy in Brothels of India
Donation protected
ART THERAPY IN THE BROTHELS OF INDIA:
After 3 challenging years of primarily caring for my dad, who passed this Thanksgiving from stomach cancer, I have the opportunity to bring art therapy into the Red LIght district of Pune, India. To listen to and create art in a therapeutic way with children born in the brothels. I leave February 9th for 3 weeks. Time restrictions compel me to buy ticket and get a visa this weekend in faith. To walk out into uncertainty with a faithful God.
I invite you to participate in this short but potentially profound time with the children, women and caregivers at Asha. I am the ears and hands that get to go but I cannot do this without the body. This is a bridge of transition. Transition for those in India and for me. A life interrupted is hard to restart. To revive hope that has been stifled. I sense that my own reawakening and movement forward will result from witnessing that of those I work with.
What is ASHA ('Hope')
For almost 10 years, the ministry Asha (Hope in Hindi) has been serving and walking alongside the women and children in the Red Light district of Pune with two open arms. The first arm was a beauty salon that transformed into the 'Light House'. A safe space for children to be children and for women to learn to read and write. The salon was turned into a kitchen based upon the profound need for food and vitamins.
The other arm is the 'Grace House.' It is a home for 8 children at risk of entering the flesh trade. WIth their mothers permission they live in a family style home outside the Red Light district. The mothers are encouraged to visit and provide in small ways for their children with the hope of one day reuniting them.
Here is a video about ASHA .
The women have no hope for themselves but their mother's heart craves something different for their children. Asha has seen how the mothers are touched and awakened by the changes in their children. As an art therapist, I have privilege of being an agent of hope to another until their own hope is strenghtened. To build skills that will increase self-esteem and help work through trauma and its resulting emotions.
Pro Bono Work
I step out as a professional working pro bono. Having depleted my savings to care for family, I am asking the minimum for travel (flight, visa, rm & board) ($1500) and one month's rent/utilities ($1800). I am deeply grateful for any support you choose to provide. Every contribution matters.
Who I am
I am a professional sculptor who carves stone - Yes! Artists carving with hammer and chisels still exist. Although I do like my power tools. To see sculptures go to: Karen Kang Art
Splitting 4 ton stone
I also have a masters in Art Therapy. After experiencing the healing aspects of creating art, I wanted to guide and empower others to move forward from a place of stagnancy and pain into healing and new life.
I love traveling globally to work with clients and share tools with caregivers working 24/7. Some of the places I've worked in: Oslo, Norway with people with drug and alcohol addictions. Mexico City with adolescent girls rescued from sex trafficking. Honduras with formerly homeless children who were neglected and abused.
Making clay in Honduras
with deep gratitude,
Karen Kang
After 3 challenging years of primarily caring for my dad, who passed this Thanksgiving from stomach cancer, I have the opportunity to bring art therapy into the Red LIght district of Pune, India. To listen to and create art in a therapeutic way with children born in the brothels. I leave February 9th for 3 weeks. Time restrictions compel me to buy ticket and get a visa this weekend in faith. To walk out into uncertainty with a faithful God.
I invite you to participate in this short but potentially profound time with the children, women and caregivers at Asha. I am the ears and hands that get to go but I cannot do this without the body. This is a bridge of transition. Transition for those in India and for me. A life interrupted is hard to restart. To revive hope that has been stifled. I sense that my own reawakening and movement forward will result from witnessing that of those I work with.
What is ASHA ('Hope')
For almost 10 years, the ministry Asha (Hope in Hindi) has been serving and walking alongside the women and children in the Red Light district of Pune with two open arms. The first arm was a beauty salon that transformed into the 'Light House'. A safe space for children to be children and for women to learn to read and write. The salon was turned into a kitchen based upon the profound need for food and vitamins.
The other arm is the 'Grace House.' It is a home for 8 children at risk of entering the flesh trade. WIth their mothers permission they live in a family style home outside the Red Light district. The mothers are encouraged to visit and provide in small ways for their children with the hope of one day reuniting them.
Here is a video about ASHA .
The women have no hope for themselves but their mother's heart craves something different for their children. Asha has seen how the mothers are touched and awakened by the changes in their children. As an art therapist, I have privilege of being an agent of hope to another until their own hope is strenghtened. To build skills that will increase self-esteem and help work through trauma and its resulting emotions.
Pro Bono Work
I step out as a professional working pro bono. Having depleted my savings to care for family, I am asking the minimum for travel (flight, visa, rm & board) ($1500) and one month's rent/utilities ($1800). I am deeply grateful for any support you choose to provide. Every contribution matters.
Who I am
I am a professional sculptor who carves stone - Yes! Artists carving with hammer and chisels still exist. Although I do like my power tools. To see sculptures go to: Karen Kang Art
Splitting 4 ton stoneI also have a masters in Art Therapy. After experiencing the healing aspects of creating art, I wanted to guide and empower others to move forward from a place of stagnancy and pain into healing and new life.
I love traveling globally to work with clients and share tools with caregivers working 24/7. Some of the places I've worked in: Oslo, Norway with people with drug and alcohol addictions. Mexico City with adolescent girls rescued from sex trafficking. Honduras with formerly homeless children who were neglected and abused.
Making clay in Honduras
with deep gratitude,
Karen Kang
Organizer
Karen Kang
Organizer
New York, NY