Monday, March 23, 2009

Celebrating Children and Art

On Sunday the US Embassy hosted an HIV/AIDS Poster Contest Award Ceremony with many of our partners in Rwanda. The contest was announced and kids of all ages submitted posters. This was the first event I have attended with the new US Ambassador to Rwanda.

Artistic and creative talent is not always easy to find in Rwanda. I was so happy this event recognized how important messages can be conveyed through art and how we should foster this talent in Rwandan children.

One winner in each age group received a backpack full of goodies, a US-Rwandan flag pin, a certificate, and a picture with the US Ambassador. It was clear this was a really special event for these children and their families. Each child was so proud of thier artwork, I just couldn't help but take a picture of every single one.








I really liked this one above- he used Acryllic and Watercolor paints. These materials are not easy to find in Rwanda.




News and TV crews attended the event, which I think made it extra special for these kids and their families.
Here is US Ambassador Symington (front row), the Deputy Chief of Mission, and Jenny (who organized the event) with all of the winners.

There were a number of creative non-winning entries that were displayed as well.
Here is one illustration of a United States shield over the world protecting it from HIV/AIDS.
Here is a city scene including a Hummer with the license plate "PEPFAR". ha ha.

2 comments:

Clare Bolek said...

I love these pictures! The detail is really beautiful and so much thought put into them as well. Those kids should be proud!

Erin said...

WoW- Very Cool...it reminds me of the Peace Poster Contest hosted internationally by Lions Club. These are amazing. Thanks for sharing. I will show this to my students.