FELIZ - HAPPY

Emma, volunteer from the UK, writes about her experience creating grafitti with the teenagers on one of the walls of Proyecto Horizonte:

It had been in the pipeline for a while and had been waiting for the green light. Artists Pablo (MeXist) and Emma (Lil´em), we had had the chance to come and meet the young guys who wanted to be involved in  the graffiti wall and enlist them for the big wall. We came with previous work from ourselves and showed them what we could do and what we were about. The boys seemed very receptive so it was on!

On Saturday the wall needed to be primed with white latex ready for the Sunday to be sprayed. On Sunday MeXist arrived at 8.30am with friends to start sketching the outline and then I came to start the work a little later. At 10.30am we started with two boys and gave them the initial tips and skills for spraying a wall and how to coat well and see the process through from start to finish. It was as hot day and the boys showed great commitment and dedication to stick out 6 hours of spraying in the heat.

The boys started well and then an hour in we had an influx of more boys coming to get involved. It was great to have a crowd and enthusiastic team. We moved on from filling in to adding the detail and the outline and with each boy getting involved the time went by very quickly. MeXist added the final details and shading and then it came to tagging and putting the names on the wall.

All in all the day was a great success and the work shows for itself. The boys learnt a lot of new skills and techniques and hopefully were inspired to think about how graffiti can be used for art and not just territory tags. We were really pleased with the young guys and their work and special credit to Chura and Brayan who committed a lot of time to seeing the work from start to finish and are definite potential artists for the next graffiti wall that we do.

Celebrating Proyecto Horizonte through Food, Film, Friends & Art

Last weekend, I co-hosted my first Proyecto Horizonte charity event.  One of my friends in Seattle started the Charity Film & Food group, where he encourages his friends to do what they love once a month while sharing their passion for a cause.  This month, seventeen of us celebrated and contributed to Proyecto Horizonte.  Our small group gathered to enjoy delicious food with everything from burritos, to homemade empanadas (salteñas) to chips, salsa and more.  We also shared our happiness through art and watched a movie.  I provided watercolor paper and a variety of pens, pencils, and paints for anyone to use.  The goal was to illustrate, “what makes you happy” and share it with Proyecto Horizonte as a part of the organization’s 10-year anniversary campaign.

After we had eaten, conversed, and the majority of friends had arrived, I gave everyone an overview of Proyecto Horizonte.  To begin, I explained why Proyecto Horizonte is my charity of choice and shared my experience onsite in 2012 during my backpacking trip throughout South America, as well as my continued remote support.  In Bolivia, I tutored in the school and helped with marketing materials for Tantakuna women’s group.  Since then, I’ve provided event support, translation, and editing.  I then explained Proyecto Horizonte’s holistic approach and goals of community sustainability and showed them a short video presented at Latin Finance Awards in January, “What Do You Think of Proyecto Horizonte?”, a video which showcases students, parents, and volunteers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QsBB8avzvE).  

We then settled in to watched “Once”, a contemplative film that emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities to fulfill your dreams, while supporting others’ dreams.  Then, we talked more about Proyecto Horizonte, discussed my and others’ adventures in South America, and made room for dessert.  At the end of the event, we posed for a few photos, highlighting the remainder of the group and the “Share You Happiness” art bulletin.  We plan to share this expression of our happiness with Proyecto Horizonte as a part of the 10-year anniversary and happiness campaign.

By the end of the evening, we felt more united and were satisfied with our small, but impactful event.  Together, we raised $280 for Proyecto Horizonte - enough to cover a teacher’s salary for a month. Just think of what a difference we could make if all friends joined each month to support a cause like Proyecto Horizonte!

Ashley Lacy, Volunteer

Seattle, USA