Transforming Migrant Lives Tour
Donation protected
TRANSFORMING MIGRANT LIVES:
Where we’ve been and where we’re going on this transformative journey
What a year it has been. As you know, we are living within an unprecedented time of human displacement in Europe and beyond. In 2015, the number of people forced to flee their homes across the world exceeded 50 million for the first time since the Second World War. Nearly 4000 migrants lives were lost or reported missing trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2015.
In response to this crisis, we developed the Transforming Migrant Lives campaign with the hopes of securing visas for two of the Artisans Together, Adama and Maiga, to travel to the US in order to advocate for peaceful solutions to the crisis and to build and strengthen partnerships. And, you supported us! Then, you shared in our disappointment and lifted us with your inspiring words when tourist visas were denied and our collective hopes were dashed. Thank you. We drew on the innovation, strength and wisdom embodied within the refugee community by adapting. Transforming Migrant Lives was rerouted and reenvisioned!
WHERE WE'VE BEEN in 2015.
In September the Beehive Ho(s)tel hosted the Transforming Migrant Lives project for an evening of storytelling. Quite honestly, we were shocked when the garden filled with at least one hundred people. Clearly, people want to do something in the midst of this human tragedy. Powerful migrant stories were shared by candlelight while nestled together under a beautifully and conspicuously displaced banyan tree (a migrant tree?). The banyan tree is a sacred tree. In fact, it is the place where Buddha is said to have received enlightenment. In Indian culture, the tree is said to be the resting place of the Hindu god Krishna. Those gathered, of many faiths and nationalities, were enlightened and inspired to action under that tree. It was an inspiring and sacred evening to say the least. The evening ended with participants hanging their commitments to action on the banyan tree. Lives were transformed—migrant lives and otherwise—thanks to all of you.
• One outcome of the storytelling evening was a powerful article and interview with Rakin from Afghanistan, who many of you know and love. Just recently, The Local, highlighted this interview with Rakin as the second most inspirational interview of 2015: http://www.thelocal.it/20151229/five-truly-inspirational-interviews-from-2015
• Another outcome of the storytelling evening was the beginning of what we hope will be a regular market in support of the innovative local economy and community, including the beloved Artisans Together and other refugee entrepreneurs. As the Artisans Together project approaches it’s third year (!) – the group seeks to “scale-up ”with more consistent and diversified income generation opportunities, new skills training, as well more educational and outreach initiatives. As you know, the project has always been about educating and healing. Now more than ever, it’s urgently important that the artisans – natural ambassadors and educators – expand their reach in order to continue transforming lives!
To that end, we are pleased to announce our path as we continue this Transforming Migrant Lives journey.
WHERE WE'RE GOING in 2016.
January 3rd to 9th -- Rome, Italy
Artisans of the big brush! The Artisans Together will participate in skills training by an expert DIY designer. They will be painting new rooms acquired by the Beehive Ho(s)tel. Empowered with this new skill, they’ll seek contracts, private and commercial, beyond their work producing beautiful and meaningful handicrafts.
January 27th to 30th -- Barcelona, Spain
The Artisans Together will be traveling to Barcelona, Spain to participate in the European League for Middle Level Education (ELMLE) Conference. They will present to students and educators about the plight of refugees and advocate for peaceful solutions at this unprecedented time of human displacement. The artisans will model approaches, effective practices and dialogue with middle school educators for integrating social justice education and a developmentally appropriate humanitarian response to the refugee crisis into curricula and academic life. Their presentations will explore long-term partnerships that inspire and promote peaceful responses and solutions—across boundaries and generations, using beauty and art as integrating concepts for growing and learning—together.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The guys also plan to head to the ‘discoteca’ one night. If you’re in the neighborhood, you should join us! As many of you know, they’ve got some sweet moves!
Early spring (exact dates TBD) – Orvieto, Italy
The Artisans Together and other migrants will travel by rail to the beautiful Umbrian town of Orvieto where a soccer match will ensue between local school children and refugees from Rome. The idea is a cultural exchange – eating together and playing together. In this first encounter, the local community will welcome guests to their beautiful city, sharing their rich culture and traditions.
*****
This refugee crisis is one of the great challenges of our time. Future generations will judge us by our response to this humanitarian crisis. Thanks for being part of creative and positive solutions. Thanks for believing in us. Thanks for supporting us. Thanks for transforming lives. Thanks for transforming the world.
*****
More updates coming soon!
If you have any questions, please be in touch directly.
*****
GRATITUDE.
We especially thank: the owners of the Beehive Ho(s)tel, Linda Rodriguez and Steve Brenner, Angela Giuffrida at The Local, the working group for the Paul’s Place Project (PPP) housing initiative and the Christian Codrai Foundation (Monica Musri, Isobel Lee, and Theo Yardley), our tireless supporters at the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR), especially Sarah Ellyson and the planning committee and community for the 2016 European League for Middle Level Education (ELMLE) Conference in Barcelona. We haven’t even been to Barcelona yet and we’re already deeply moved by your generosity and hospitality! We also thank the Rev. Rachel Carnegie at the Anglican Alliance, Jennifer Rumler, her family and students at Michigan State University (MSU), our supporters at Warren Wilson College, including Mallory McDuff, Lyn O’Hare, Ian Robertson, Cathy Kramer, and the forever inspiring Lorrie Jayne. We also thank the Rev. Kirk Brown, Shelley Brown, Olga Mahoney and students at Christ School, friend and journalist extraordinaire Justin Catanoso at Wake Forest University, the Rev. Fletcher Harper and Stacey Kennealy at GreenFaith, our dear friends at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, Jeff, Christine and Quentin Cole and students of Geneva College, Nicole Arriaga and the ACCENT study abroad community, and Shawn(ie) Williams for your ongoing graphic design awesomeness. We thank the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center (JNRC) for continuing to be a home for the Artisans Together and a place of sanctuary and support for the refugee community on a daily basis. And, we thank ALL OF YOU who continue believe in us and support us!
Where we’ve been and where we’re going on this transformative journey
What a year it has been. As you know, we are living within an unprecedented time of human displacement in Europe and beyond. In 2015, the number of people forced to flee their homes across the world exceeded 50 million for the first time since the Second World War. Nearly 4000 migrants lives were lost or reported missing trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2015.
In response to this crisis, we developed the Transforming Migrant Lives campaign with the hopes of securing visas for two of the Artisans Together, Adama and Maiga, to travel to the US in order to advocate for peaceful solutions to the crisis and to build and strengthen partnerships. And, you supported us! Then, you shared in our disappointment and lifted us with your inspiring words when tourist visas were denied and our collective hopes were dashed. Thank you. We drew on the innovation, strength and wisdom embodied within the refugee community by adapting. Transforming Migrant Lives was rerouted and reenvisioned!
WHERE WE'VE BEEN in 2015.
In September the Beehive Ho(s)tel hosted the Transforming Migrant Lives project for an evening of storytelling. Quite honestly, we were shocked when the garden filled with at least one hundred people. Clearly, people want to do something in the midst of this human tragedy. Powerful migrant stories were shared by candlelight while nestled together under a beautifully and conspicuously displaced banyan tree (a migrant tree?). The banyan tree is a sacred tree. In fact, it is the place where Buddha is said to have received enlightenment. In Indian culture, the tree is said to be the resting place of the Hindu god Krishna. Those gathered, of many faiths and nationalities, were enlightened and inspired to action under that tree. It was an inspiring and sacred evening to say the least. The evening ended with participants hanging their commitments to action on the banyan tree. Lives were transformed—migrant lives and otherwise—thanks to all of you.
• One outcome of the storytelling evening was a powerful article and interview with Rakin from Afghanistan, who many of you know and love. Just recently, The Local, highlighted this interview with Rakin as the second most inspirational interview of 2015: http://www.thelocal.it/20151229/five-truly-inspirational-interviews-from-2015
• Another outcome of the storytelling evening was the beginning of what we hope will be a regular market in support of the innovative local economy and community, including the beloved Artisans Together and other refugee entrepreneurs. As the Artisans Together project approaches it’s third year (!) – the group seeks to “scale-up ”with more consistent and diversified income generation opportunities, new skills training, as well more educational and outreach initiatives. As you know, the project has always been about educating and healing. Now more than ever, it’s urgently important that the artisans – natural ambassadors and educators – expand their reach in order to continue transforming lives!
To that end, we are pleased to announce our path as we continue this Transforming Migrant Lives journey.
WHERE WE'RE GOING in 2016.
January 3rd to 9th -- Rome, Italy
Artisans of the big brush! The Artisans Together will participate in skills training by an expert DIY designer. They will be painting new rooms acquired by the Beehive Ho(s)tel. Empowered with this new skill, they’ll seek contracts, private and commercial, beyond their work producing beautiful and meaningful handicrafts.
January 27th to 30th -- Barcelona, Spain
The Artisans Together will be traveling to Barcelona, Spain to participate in the European League for Middle Level Education (ELMLE) Conference. They will present to students and educators about the plight of refugees and advocate for peaceful solutions at this unprecedented time of human displacement. The artisans will model approaches, effective practices and dialogue with middle school educators for integrating social justice education and a developmentally appropriate humanitarian response to the refugee crisis into curricula and academic life. Their presentations will explore long-term partnerships that inspire and promote peaceful responses and solutions—across boundaries and generations, using beauty and art as integrating concepts for growing and learning—together.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The guys also plan to head to the ‘discoteca’ one night. If you’re in the neighborhood, you should join us! As many of you know, they’ve got some sweet moves!
Early spring (exact dates TBD) – Orvieto, Italy
The Artisans Together and other migrants will travel by rail to the beautiful Umbrian town of Orvieto where a soccer match will ensue between local school children and refugees from Rome. The idea is a cultural exchange – eating together and playing together. In this first encounter, the local community will welcome guests to their beautiful city, sharing their rich culture and traditions.
*****
This refugee crisis is one of the great challenges of our time. Future generations will judge us by our response to this humanitarian crisis. Thanks for being part of creative and positive solutions. Thanks for believing in us. Thanks for supporting us. Thanks for transforming lives. Thanks for transforming the world.
*****
More updates coming soon!
If you have any questions, please be in touch directly.
*****
GRATITUDE.
We especially thank: the owners of the Beehive Ho(s)tel, Linda Rodriguez and Steve Brenner, Angela Giuffrida at The Local, the working group for the Paul’s Place Project (PPP) housing initiative and the Christian Codrai Foundation (Monica Musri, Isobel Lee, and Theo Yardley), our tireless supporters at the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR), especially Sarah Ellyson and the planning committee and community for the 2016 European League for Middle Level Education (ELMLE) Conference in Barcelona. We haven’t even been to Barcelona yet and we’re already deeply moved by your generosity and hospitality! We also thank the Rev. Rachel Carnegie at the Anglican Alliance, Jennifer Rumler, her family and students at Michigan State University (MSU), our supporters at Warren Wilson College, including Mallory McDuff, Lyn O’Hare, Ian Robertson, Cathy Kramer, and the forever inspiring Lorrie Jayne. We also thank the Rev. Kirk Brown, Shelley Brown, Olga Mahoney and students at Christ School, friend and journalist extraordinaire Justin Catanoso at Wake Forest University, the Rev. Fletcher Harper and Stacey Kennealy at GreenFaith, our dear friends at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, Jeff, Christine and Quentin Cole and students of Geneva College, Nicole Arriaga and the ACCENT study abroad community, and Shawn(ie) Williams for your ongoing graphic design awesomeness. We thank the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center (JNRC) for continuing to be a home for the Artisans Together and a place of sanctuary and support for the refugee community on a daily basis. And, we thank ALL OF YOU who continue believe in us and support us!
Organizer
Jill Drzewiecki Rios
Organizer
Black Mountain, NC
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