recuerda mi corazon

raising the roof of love for oaxaca streetchildren grassroots

 

today is my 600th post.

i cannot think of a more significant way of celebrating

my gratitude for the manna of blogging

then to dedicate this  post to

the artists who comprise the 2011 gallery of hope.

this project and everyone who has had a hand in it

symbolize the great nurturing we receive 

in the family of blog.

our 2011 shrine auction was a force of great hearts and willing hands.

through the generosity of 

artists, bidders, enthusiastic donations, lovers of 

children and bright futures

i am honored to announce  that we,

together

were able to present 

oaxaca streetchildren grassroots

$3,500.00

in support of their 2011 "raising the roof" efforts.

 

please scroll through this years shrine offerings and leave

a comment if you are moved to join our efforts for next year at the

gallery of hope.

i hope the earnest compassion you will 

experience through each artist 

inspires more acts of kindness.

in a compassionate world,

their are no strangers.

 

i am deeply honored to present the

2011 shrine artists 

who truly

shine 

in boundless generosity.

may the sound of children's laughter

forever remind you of your

place in their hearts,

and mine.

DeAnn Acton*Caya Papaya  

 

 

Christine Alvarado*Du Buh Du Designs

 

 

Mita Barter*Mitabee

 

 

Natty Moss Bond*Original Art by Natty Moss Bond

 

Rebecca Brooks*Recuerda mi Corazon

 

Jan Bush-Wood*Lucy's Baby

 

 

Daisy Coba*Daisys Art Shop

 

 

Georgina Diaz*La Llorona Arts

 

 

Lisa Dinunzio*Priti Studio

 

 

Dawn Elliott*Alter Ego Mexicana 

 

 

Adriana Esqueda*La Llorona Studio

Jenny Fillius*Ladybug Circus

 

 

Tina Forster*TAODA

 

Gemma*Gemmahouse

 

 

 Dee Dee Hampton*Dee Dee Hampton

 

 

Stephanie Hilvitz*Mango Studio

 

 

Lisa Jonesmoore*La Vida Artistica

 

Yoli Manzo*  Yoli's Sacred Journey

 

 

Fran Meneley*Fran Meneley

 

 

Abi Monroe*Abi Monroe

 

 

LK Moonwood*My Muse

 

 

Constance Muller*Rochambeau

 

 

Karin Otto-Burfict*August Moon Studio

 

 

Adrienne Patrick*Regenerations

 

 

Paula Scott*Molokai Girl

 

 

Deb Taylor*Deb Did It

 

Sarah Wallis*circles of rain

***

 

 

the light of love

together we are like so many fragrant blossoms

waiting to open over oaxaca.

the sun gold slant of day calls for us

on the ancient stone steps leading up to the cathedral....

where we open like a choir.  

the caw of blueblack ravens,

guardians of the laurel trees around the zocalo

will decidedly tip the scale of  caring.

and all the silver laughter

of children playing at the fountain

will splay out fanning the fragrant warm air. 

the sweet peel of laughter will catch in the wings of passing birds

which fly fly fly

like arrows straight into our northern hearts.

once again,

mexico opens her quiet rebozo

tirelessly revealing her flaming heart.

and, we will know.

that our sunbright offerings were meant to offer the light of love

and reflect eternally out.

that brown hands will forever string us together

 placing a tight knot of gratitude inbetween each prayer flag we have become.

see how each tiny lantern of love shimmers to 

connect all souls, to fall like welcome rain on every shore?

countless miles away,

the call to compassion has knocked on the doors of our four chambered hearts

and we have answered, rising above the one thousand distractions of

our always busy lives to simply care. 

ring out, ring out,

 each note in silver tones of compassion, sustenance, encouragement, protection.

 our hopes traveling beyond all borders, lifting away differences,

settling on the steadfast shores of human kindness.

and so we close the final chapter in this years shrine gallery of hope,

 one more prayer bead in an ancient string of generosity. 

 

from the series

serving mary

rebecca brooks

 

mucho gracias mi amors!!!

DeAnn Acton*Caya Papaya  

Christine Alvarado*Du Buh Du Designs

Mita Barter*Mitabee

Natty Moss Bond*Original Art by Natty Moss Bond

Rebecca Brooks*Recuerda mi Corazon

Jan Bush-Wood*Lucy's Baby

Daisy Coba*Daisys Art Shop

Georgina Diaz*La Llorona Arts

Lisa Dinunzio*Priti Studio

Dawn Elliott*Alter Ego Mexicana 

Adriana Esqueda*La Llorona Studio

Jenny Fillius*Ladybug Circus

Tina Forster*TAODA

Gemma*Gemmahouse

 Dee Dee Hampton*Dee Dee Hampton

Stephanie Hilvitz*Mango Studio

Lisa Jonesmoore*La Vida Artistica

Yoli Manzo*Yoli's Sacred Journey

Fran Meneley*Fran Meneley

Abi Monroe*Abi Monroe

LK Moonwood*My Muse

Constance Muller*Rochambeau

Karin Otto-Burfict*August Moon Studio

Adrienne Patrick*Regenerations

Paula Scott*Molokai Girl

Deb Taylor*Deb Did It

Sarah Wallis*Circles of Rain

 

raising the roof of love

 

thank you to everyone for your generosity in this years

shrine gallery of hope.

together we have made a bright difference

in lives well served by

oaxaca streetchildren grassroots.

we will forever be

a roof of protection over the people of oaxaca.

this years auction raised

$3,500.00!

through the month of june we will gratefully continue to

accept donations towards oaxaca streetchildren grassroots

Raising the Roof campaign

here

in honor of artists, bidders, all those who have helped to spread word of the auction by posting

and displaying our shrine banner,

i have placed your names in the lid of a large handy box,

shaken not stirred...

and asked my husband with eyes closed to draw one name.

i am thrilled to announce that

paula scott

of

molokai girl

will be the recipient of a silver sacred heart

to commemorate all we have achieved

together.

raising the roof of love

there are no differences

there are no boundaries

there is only a common sky singing out

with its merciful quenching of humanity. 

all week we have been tying our bright hopes together,

adding our prayer flags to a grateful sky,

raising the roof of love in a time of great need.

 

there is still time to join us in this years

 shrine gallery of hope.

bidding ends this sunday

june 12

6 p.m. pacific standard time

***

in lieu of bidding, your donations can join our efforts

here...

please include the words

"raising the roof"

won't you be one more hand of protection over the children?

haiku my heart

 

just the sight of you...

ten thousand sequins shimmer,

your heart, brighter still

 

***

this week my heart is all wrapped up in mexico. 

i am not alone.

twenty seven women whose lives have been touched by the 

generosity of this charming culture have

created a gallery, a house of collective dreams.

it is that simple.

mexico has profoundly enriched our lives and we

in return want to give back.

here is an invitation to our

 gallery of hope.

to each of you, helping us raise the roof of love

with your generous bids...

today's haiku my heart

is dedicated to you.

***

raising the roof for oaxaca streetchildren grassroots

what's on your to do list

today?

this day.

this one bright glorious day.

have you ever wanted to throw something 

forever on  your to do list?

all those Our Lady of Perpetual Duties

that comprise our days.

 repetitive tasks,

the laundry, the sweeping, the cooking, ...

do you ever fantasize 

throwing some passion into the mix?

..say,

between the grocery shopping, and picking up the mail,

 saving a life.

right after dropping the kids off at the local pool,

 breaking the cycle of poverty in a 

young child's life?

 

right before endless loads laundry..

opening the door to a bright future

or say,

joining the passion of some truly hot women and

raising a roof?

miracles are happening in our

gallery of hope.

 

we need you in making more come true.

 

Dear Friends:

 

I write to ask for your support in “raising the roof” – literally and figuratively – on a building in Oaxaca, Mexico.  This building is home to a vitally important resource: El Centro de Esperanza Infantil.  The 2,500 square-foot building houses a program that enables hundreds of impoverished children in Oaxaca to attend school. 

The U.S.-based organization that funds the Centro de Esperanza Infantil, or CEI, is called Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots.  It was founded in the late-1990’s by an extraordinary American couple who, while vacationing in Oaxaca, were troubled by the number of children they saw begging in the streets during the day instead of attending school.  When they began to ask why, they learned that while education was free, the Mexican system requires children to provide their own books, uniforms and other supplies.  They were determined to help fund these expenses – child by child – and since then, that vision has been realized through a sponsorship program and through the establishment of CEI. 

When it was first purchased in 2000, CEI was a large, crumbling colonial structure that had no interior walls and a pile of debris in its center.  It has now been renovated room by room, and today it is a cheerful and lively center with a library, a lunchroom, a nurse’s office, a computer center and several administrative offices.  A sunny central patio is the hub of the center, constantly full of children doing their homework, working with volunteer tutors or just playing with friends.  

CEI has literally changed the lives of the children who have been able to complete their education and have moved out of dire poverty.  Now, more than ten years since it first opened, the building’s roof is in danger of falling – and we’re looking for funds to “raise the roof” and make improvements to the building necessary to serve even more children.  Please help us maintain this safe space for the  nearly 600 children who are currently served by the organization, and contribute anything you can to our “Raise the Roof” campaign for 2011. 

My sincerest thanks,

 W. David Slaymaker, President

 

yoli's sacred journey

 

 

"I titled this My Sacred House,

because I was inspired to create a place that welcomes all faiths.

A place where someone always

feels safe and welcomed

and a place that would inspire meditation and higher learning.

 Most of all, a place to love."

Yoli Manzo

Yoli's Sacred Journey

 "This is a mixed media assemblage on a 5 by 7 Canvas board.

Features handmade fabrics, found objects, worry dolls from Guatemala,

  millefiori mosaic tiles from Italy, milagros from Mexico,

vintage ephemera  image transfer techniques,

handmade beads and whatever else I came across in my journeys."

yoli

please follow yoli's sacred journey to our

gallery of hope

(follow link to arrive at the gallery)

where 27 artists

cannot wait to 

share their passion with you

for

a brighter future

in the lives of so many deserving 

children.