871 Skilled

Joumana, a teenage refugee in Lebanon looks proud because she has just crafted a doll from a wooden spoon,  and a lovely bouquet of paper flowers in a skill course provided by ANERA that is designed for older teens so that they can work for a better future for themselves.  Joumana has participated in a certified early childhood education training course, but many other courses teach these young people computers, hairdressing, cooking, sports, and other life skills.

"The non-formal education and job skills courses are part of ANERA's project, "Quick Impact Skills for Development for Youth and Adolescents Affected by the Syrian Crisis," implemented in partnership with UNICEF and with funds from the governments of Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

This is my ninteenth portrait of a refugee child served by ANERA, American Near East Refugee Aid, a non-profit, non-political organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.    The Innocents Project is my attempt to raise awareness and money for ANERA so that they can continue their good work serving these Innocents.

Look for more on this in the coming days.

For more information, please check out their website:  www.anera.org
You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

870 Weary

This is my 18th painting for The Innocents Project, my effort to raise awareness and funds for the Syrian and Palestinian refugees who are served by a non-profit, non-political American organization called ANERA, American Near East Refugee Aid, located in Washington DC.  ANERA provides whatever is necessary to serve the refugees---education, supplies, food, clean water systems, etc.

In April, violence erupted in the Ein El Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon, and hundreds of families were displaced.  In August, fighting in the camp intensified and 47 families were displaced.  Six refugees were killed and 15 wounded.  ANERA provided hygiene kits, baby supplies and quilts, and distributed medical supplies to a local hospital.  The folks at ANERA are angels.

In recent weeks, we have seen massive destruction caused by hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.  The conditions in which so many people are surviving are deplorable, and surely, they will be affected for a very long time by these disasters.  

There are a lot of similarities in living conditions for the Syrian and Palestinian refugees, but their problems have existed for many, many years, and are a result of man-made complications rather than Mother Nature's wrath.  Lack of electricity, food, clothing, heat, water, education, are shared experiences with the hurricane victims, but the one difference is that that is the "normal" in their world.  

"870 Weary"

acrylic - 12x12 in

https://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/870-weary/626018