“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.” Robert Fulghum,
The plans for the trip are coming along, so win or lose it
will go forward. I have some amazing girls joining me and very much looking
forward to work down in Dang and Letang. I will be in Kathmandu as from the
beginning of December till the end of January. One of the things I need to do
on this trip is to start looking for a place where we would be able to start
the art center. I am still very much at the “How is this going to be possible,
but we can do it faze.” I have no idea how it will work out. But I will be looking
to find a space in the rural areas where I could stay for an extended period of
time with volunteers. From there we can work in the area to do free art
training workshops for the teachers and visit nearby the schools to work with
the children. Mountains can be moved and this too can happen! I am not sure
where we would open the center, but I know the right place will be found.
I was wondering if anybody reading this might be able to
help me with resource materials. I have been collecting art and craft books,
magazine cut outs and anything relating to children’s arts and craft
information. I am planning that once we open the center that it will be a
resource place where teachers can come and look for ideas and it can be used in
the workshops. I have been printing, but it works out pretty expensive for me. If
anybody has any of these types of books they would like to donate or maybe
start a folder with printout or magazine cut outs I would be so appreciative. I
have a drop off point in Kathmandu or if you could send it to me if you are in
the USA. I know it sounds crazy that I don’t have a place and am already starting
to get the material for it, but I believe and through everything that I have been
through I know that once you have a vision and start working on it, the rest
will fall into place. Even though I have no training, experience, money plus
all the other things you can mention that I do not have and would count against
me according the world out there, I know that it can be done. Somehow we will be
able to set up the center and find a way to afford to move there permanently in
the future, but until that day comes I will continue doing what I have been
doing, working at it step by step, learning and growing each day.
I hope too that you will follow your dream and heart and not
listen to what others say cannot be done. Each one has the power inside of us
to overcome all the odds, you only need to believe. And if it works out differently
than you planned, just adapt and don’t give up. It is much easier for others to
sit on the sidelines and comment than to put themselves out there, so do not be discouraged. I know how difficult it is to block out those voices. Never feel afraid of failing, because how can it be a failure if
you gave it your best shot.
