Alien Art

The Dreamers received a special package in the mail. Each child got a bag of alien parts! They went about the task of assembling brightly colored creatures with googly eyes, funny spots, and wriggly appendages. The best part came when they drew distant planets for the extra terrestrials to live on, and grouped them together, floating around their far away homes.

Can’t you hear them garble, ”We come in peace,” with cute, squeaky, alien voices?

If you are interested in sending us a fun project for the kids to work on please contact us and we will get you the mailing information. A project you pass along might be the next collection we proudly display on our walls.

Also, if you would like to help further the Dreamers’ education and creative expression by supporting the House of Dreams on a monthly basis please let me know and I will help you get connected. You can give by: sending in a check, online donations, and even an automatic withdraw from the account of your choice. Thanks!

- Angie Washington

Our interior decorators

The other day, Estefani comes in asking for some tape.  A few minutes later, Emelin and Shirley come asking for some colored paper.  Then Anne comes asking for some paper and tape.  I decided to go up to the girls room to see what our 6 dreamers were up to.  They decided that their room needed some more color.  So they began to decorate their room with their art work.  Below are a few snapshots of our future interior decorators.

door to the girls room

Some of the girls work on the wall

Anne’s work by her bed

-Marisol

A Quick Visit

Usually when volunteers come they stay from anywhere between about a week up to about three months. But every once in a while we get people interested in coming by just for a day to do something special.

This was the case with Surya. She is an artist that is volunteering here in Cochabamba with a different organization, but decided to come over to the HOD for a day and do an art project with the kids.

Surya, instructing Fernando.

Surya had a great time, as did the kids. They appreciate learning new things, and whether long-term or short-term, they always appreciate meeting new people.

Romon

Winter break fun!

The Bolivian school system has a two week winter break in the middle of the school year. This year it started on July 2nd (the coldest month on the south end of the equator).  So in the last week and half we’ve had quite a few trips to the park, soccer games in front of the home, videos, crafts and a little bit of school work.  But the big hit of this winter break was an idea that two of our volunteers came up with.

Making homemade play dough!  The kids helped to make the guey colored dough- quite alot of it!

It has provided and is still providing hours of creative fun!

We still have half a week left, and maybe one more week if the government decides its too cold to go back to school.  Please send any craft or game ideas that the dreamers could do, during this short vacation.

-Marisol

Decking the Halls

Today is December 9. That means in 16 short days, we will be celebrating Christmas! During this time of year, most of the world gets excited. Among those excited are the Dreamers.

Three excited Dreamers, Jose, Roberto and Yamil practicing their Christmas morning faces.

The decorating of the house began several days ago, with the Dreamers creating Christmas decorations to hang up all over the house. Here’s a few pictures of the decorations they made:

Three excited Dreamers, Jose, Roberto and Jhamil practicing their Christmas morning faces.

By the end of the weekend, the decoration that generates the most excitement will be set up, the Christmas tree! Pictures to come soon!

Romon

Christmas craft ideas?

At lunch yesterday, Estefani says, “Tomorrow is the last day of November so that means its going to be December and it will soon be Christmas!”

With that reminder from our 10 year old dreamer, its time to start decorating the House of Dreams.  Do you have any good homemade decorations and Christmas craft ideas for our kids?

-Marisol

Juan Daniel’s Walls

Click to Juan Daniel's bio

Juan Daniel came to us this year. When I offered him a piece of paper and a pile of colored pencils, markets and crayons he froze. He would grasp the cylinders with faltering fingers unable to make it do what he wanted. The he would scratch his fingernail over the patch of color physically distressed by the disappointing marks. I put away the instruments of torture, deciding to try again after some time.

The fight had lessened during the next opportunity he had. He had grown more comfortable with the process. He still could not form words to tell me what he drew. I followed his eyes. He kept looking at the multi-colored map on the wall. He filled in the thick outlines with light colored pencil.

With the third paper, some weeks later, he could tell me about his drawing. He took the lead from his buddy and told me he drew a heart. The next part of the drawing, a wall — that day no maps hung for him to draw so he simply drew what he saw. How gratifying to watch this child slowly open up over the medium of art. Enjoy the pictures of his drawings.

By clicking on the thumbnail of Juan Daniel you will be taken to his bio page. If you are interested in becoming a Dream Maker (monthly financial supporter of one of the kids at the House of Dreams) click this link: sponsor. Thanks!

-Angie

Crafty Kids

Every Friday half of the dreamers go bowling, the other half then enjoy being crafty with their new art teacher.  About a month ago, Maria Elena volunteered her time to come and teach a craft to all of the kids.

She enjoyed being with them that she now comes each week to teach to the group whose turn it is to stay home from bowling.

If you have a talent that you would like to come and share with the dreamers, check out our visit link.

-Marisol

 

Joel’s Humanos

(click to visit Joel's bio)

Four year old Joel [pronounced: ho EL] never ceases to put a smile on my face. He saw me wearing flip flops the other day and remarked with sincere surprise, “Your feet are white!” I affirmed his observation and he proceeded to ask, as any good pre-schooler would, “Why?” I told him that the color of my skin was just what he saw, white. He then asked, “Are they white because that is your favorite color?” All I could do was giggle and shoo him up unto the sidewalk so I could pull my truck out. He gave me his classic full faced smile, raised his pudgy little fingers to his forehead and belted out, “Yes Captain!” before scurrying as fast as his little legs could take him to the safety of the sidewalk.

It might have been the colorful conversation we had that sparked the piece of art you will find below. He named it “Humanos”, which of course means “Humans”. I love the action in his drawing and the diversity of colors. Enjoy!

By clicking on the thumbnail of Joel you will be taken to his bio page. If you are interested in becoming a Dream Maker (monthly financial supporter of one of the kids at the House of Dreams) click this link: sponsor. Thanks!

- Angie

Emelin’s Mountains

Click to Emelin's Bio

Emelin is a second grader with a spunky personality. Enjoy this piece of art from our girl.

The image is of three girls in the mountains.

 

 

By clicking on the thumbnail of Emelin you will be taken to her bio page. If you are interested in becoming a Dream Maker (monthly financial supporter of one of the kids at the House of Dreams) click this link: sponsor. Thanks!

- Angie