ARS DOR

Center of Art & Professional Development – Eurointegration through Art

Posts Tagged ‘Orphanages’

Moldovan Orphan Art Exhibit in USA

Posted by ghenador on November 18, 2011

Moldova Orphanage Art ExhibitionNew Moon Cafe is hosting an exhibit of the artwork of Moldovan orphans from November 14th – December 5th, 2011.
Moldova, a former Soviet Republic, is today the poorest country in Europe. Following the collapse of Communism the economic and social infrastructure of the country crumbled, and the resulting vacuum was filled with corruption, lawlessness and despair. In the ensuing years 25% of the population left the country seeking work. Many thousands of children were left behind, either with other family members who could not provide for them or they were simply abandoned. These kids find themselves on the street, or dumped into government run orphanages.
Total funding for the orphanages is the equivalent of about $1 per child per day. As a result, programs and services are severely limited and conditions are marginal at best.
The fate that awaits these children when they reach the age of 16 is horrific. At 16, they must leave the orphanages and often fall prey to traffickers who sell them as sex slaves.

ARS DOR under the direction of Ghenadie Sontu, is an organization that regularly visits the orphanages providing art classes as a vehicle for the children to express what is in their hearts ~ the rejection, abandonment and loss they have experienced. In the process of exercising newly found creative gifts, the orphans begin to discover their identity, as precious and valued.

Moldova Orphanages Art Exhibition ARS DOR 150 Cherry St.Art therapy is a respected and effective method for dealing with childhood trauma. In the creative environment of art classes, leaders assess the psychological state of the children and work to build a sense of identity as well as hope and a future.

An exuberant display of the artwork of these children is on display at New Moon. 150 Cherry Street Inc. is sponsoring this awareness and fundraising event for the benefit of ARS DOR and the orphans of Moldova. If you are interested to learn more about this program please contact michaelbeer@150cherryst.org.

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Discovering Talents in Moldova Orphanages

Posted by ghenador on March 25, 2010

“The process of drawing, painting, or constructing is a complex one in which children bring together diverse elements of their experience to make a new and meaningful whole. In the process of selecting, interpreting, and reforming these elements, children have given us more than a picture or sculpture; they have given us part of themselves: how they think, feel and see”. (Lowenfeld)

Art is of vital importance to children. It is one way in which a small child can interact with, and understand his environment. This enables him perhaps to participate more fully in the complex and often confusing adult world. The involvement of a child in art is a very individual and personal experience. It provides the child with an opportunity to create and to see the product of her creation. Art can be a means of self-expression and communication with others and can also be a very personal interaction between the self and the art medium. The former may help the child to feel her own worth, know greater self-esteem and begin to understand her world.

in 2010 ARS DOR Association started the project “Discovering Talents in Moldova Orphanages”.

The goal of the project is: identification, development and promotion of talented children and youth from the orphanages from Moldova.

The mission of ARS DOR Association in this art project is to mobilize resources and energy investing in art education of children in Moldova orphanages, provide supportive services to children, and advocacy in the community around talented children.

Objectives:

  • Discovering new talents.
  • Developing abilities and affirmation of talented children through visual art.
  • Publishing a book with children’s paintings and essays about them.
  • Social assistance through material and psychological support of talented children whose material, cultural, family, etc. situation is difficult.
  • Transfer of educational experience and talent promotion.
  • Collaboration with orphanages – work in partnership.

At this moment among beneficiaries are about 110 children from 3 orphanages from Moldova involved in the project.

In present, approx. 20 Th. children from the Republic of Moldova are placed in 63 boarding-houses and orphanages. More than half of them (64%) have both parents alive. Due to the massive migration of population abroad, more than 90 Th. children in Moldova find themselves without parents care. Social, political and economic situation in the country directly and indirectly influences present and future of these children, who automatically become vulnerable, and can be easily influenced later by other society problems.

ARS DOR Association is aware that in these institutions exists a considerable number of talented children from different areas with unvalued potential. Their identification can be possible through organizing art workshops in these institutions. Developing and promoting these talents may contribute to their socializing and inclusion in the society, getting self-trust, and later may determine their professional choice in life.

ARS DOR Association has work experience with 12 orphanages from Chisinau, capital of Moldova, involving 3000 of children in the areas such as fine arts, graffiti, knitting, ceramics, application, etc, and will implement the project.

Ghenadie Sontu

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