856 Resilience

When I received my Spring issue of ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) News in the mail, it motivated me to finish this little girl's portrait.  So many of the children smile for the ANERA photographers, and I often wonder if, despite their horrible living conditions,  they are simply resilient, or thrilled to have their pictures taken, or happy to see visitors.  Perhaps it's a little of all of those things.  Their smiles give me hope, possibly falsely, because things are looking less and less optimistic for them, despite the Herculean efforts of ANERA and other relief organizations.  Some kids can't seem to muster up a smile, looking either sick or tired (have you noticed they ALL have circles under their eyes?  Is it any wonder?).

This painting is my fifteenth portrait of refugee children in Lebanon and Palestine as part of my effort called The Innocents Project.  I started this project to put faces to those we call "refugees," children who are deserving of all the things we hope to provide to our children, but who cannot receive because of situations beyond their control.  I am hoping not only to raise awareness of these children, but to raise money for ANERA.

The report from the ANERA program manager in Lebanon, Dima Zayat is grimly called, "Refugees Are Losing Hope."   Dima tells a story about a Palestinian refugee from Syria who fled to Lebanon, which makes him twice exiled.  He has five children, and he and his family left everything--their house, garden, school for the children, and his small grocery store in Syria to flee to safety in Lebanon.    The shed they now call home is dilapidated, and the kids have dirty clothes and matted hair.

Dima reports that the refugees are losing hope.  Many of them hoped to resettle to the United States to live normal lives again.  But that won't happen.  Instead they, along with 1.5 Million registered refugees from Syria (who knows how many are not yet registered?) are currently living in Lebanon where the camps are overpopulated, often unsafe, and barely provide the minimum of what they need. Reliable water and electricity don't exist.  Over half of the children do not go to school because they have to work.

ANERA does what they can with the 94% of their revenue spent on programs in Lebanon and Palestine.  They seem to be the only hope in providing dignity and distraction from the dire situation. One of ANERA's programs is called Sports for Peace and Development.  We all know the benefits of sports to children, and the refugees are no exception.  The program is encouraging involvement in soccer, basketball, swimming and yoga for both boys and girls and ANERA is working on getting shoes for the children, who play in socks or bare feet, as well as sports jerseys, which really mean a lot to the children.  

I sincerely hope you will go to their website and read about this fine non-partisan organization.  You can read the newsletter or just this article yourself by going to their website, www.anera.org.  By way of the magnifying glass, enter ANERA News, Spring 2017.  I guarantee you will be impressed and I hope you will be motivated to make a donation to ANERA.  Large or small, any amount is greatly appreciated.

"856 Resilience"
acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/856-resilience/577237

849 Hospitality and Kindness

 I rarely know the names of the refugee children I paint, but here is a little information as ANERA describes him.  "Hossam, 16 is from Homs in Syria.  Nearly 6 years ago, he and his family fled the war and found safety in Halba, Northern Lebanon.  They left everything behind.  Hossam still remembers his school days when he was happy and safe, playing football on the streets of Homs with friends.  Now he says he faces a lot of bullying when playing with kids from Halba.  'Kids run after me saying, You are Syrian.  Go back home!'  But I defend myself saying 'We are all humans and once we go back home, you can all come visit and I will welcome you with hospitality and kindness.' "

Hossam's portrait is part of my "Innocents Project."  ANERA, American Near East Refugee Assistance, a non-political organization in Washington D.C.  helps families like Hossam's by providing shelter, food, clothing, safe water, distribution of donated Tom's shoes, medical supplies, and much, much more.  Please consider making a donation to ANERA.org in honor of someone special, or just because.

P.S.  Perhaps you have noticed that just about every child in my portraits has dark circles under their eyes.  I do not exaggerate the circles, but feel like I must include them.  The children often sleep on cement flooring with a blanket cushion in one "room" of the refugee camp containing their entire family.  No wonder.

"849 Hospitality and Kindness"
acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/849-hospitality-and-kindness/571553

810 Super Girl

Loulou, a 17 year old 12th grader looks like any other girl her age, right?   Loulou lives in a refugee camp in Northern Lebanon and she is passionate about soccer.  Last year, ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) built a soccer field in the camp so that kids could play safely.  Here is what Loulou had to say, "Now, with the new field, my friends and I have a safe place to play. My teammates call me 'Super Girl' because I'm a fast runner and I'm always urging the team on. I help them learn new tricks. I think this is how we improve and move forward."  Loulou is making the best of her situation and is a leader, and I admire those qualities. 

 "ANERA uses soccer and other sports programming as a tool to cross cultural divides, cultivate gender equality and teach conflict resolution. Their staff works with local sports clubs to organize tournaments and practices with professional coaches."  ANERA improves lives in the Middle East by renovating and rebuilding schools and hospitals, providing warm clothing, blankets,  food and distributing medical supplies.  They do great work!

"810 Super Girl" is the seventh in my series of paintings for "The Innocents Project."  I'm a big fan of ANERA's and am hoping to raise awareness and funds so they can continue their work.  You can read more about their work by going to their web site at www.anera.org.  They are located in Washington, D.C. and if you are so inclined to make a donation, please reference "The Innocents Project."

I have revised the previous six paintings and you can see them by scrolling through my blog, or in my Daily Paintworks gallery, www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/diane-campion-3732 where they have all been updated.

798 Marwa

Marwa is an outgoing seven year old Syrian refugee who has lived in one of Lebanon's tent camps since she was two years old.  She and her family left their home in Homs, Syria after it was heavily shelled.  She doesn't remember much of her early life.  Marwa has become an "ambassador" or sorts to visitors, particularly to the ANERA (American Near East Refugee Aid) folks who bring supplies to her camp.  She goes to school near the camp, and readily admits she isn't fond of school, however she plans to be a teacher one day.  When asked to draw a  house, she replied, "I cannot draw a house.  I will draw a tent instead.  I don't know what a house looks like."

"Marwa" is the fifth refugee child in my "Innocents Project" series.  She is the first and only child whose name I know so far.  It is important to me to see these children as real people with names, not just falling under a heading called "refugees."  I get an idea of what this spunky little girl is like from other photos showing a gap in her big bright smile where two bottom teeth used to be.  She is seen carrying her little brother, and has boasted that she does better in school than her siblings.  How typical for a seven year old, yet her life is far from typical or normal.

ANERA works to improve the lives of all of the refugees, but particularly for the children.  Please consider a donation to anera.org in honor of a special mother, or "just because" and please mention The Innocents Project.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!

"798 Marwa"
acrylic - 12x12 in

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/diane-campion/798-marwa/477195

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