The Memory Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding and kindness between children around the world through school-based art and writing programs.
“This organization that has gone into areas of dire circumstance like refugee camps or extreme poverty places where people are really struggling and they found that the children have grown up, without any positive memories of their childhood so this organization aims to change that,” said Ms. Jeannelle, the school’s director of The Memory Project.
The Memory Project was founded by Ben Schumaker in 2004 while he was a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Schumacher had spent some time at an orphanage in Guatemala where he saw that the children had few special belongings and then he had the idea to organize artists to create portraits that could serve as hopeful memories for the children.
Since 2004, The Memory Project has delivered 180,000 portraits to children in 55 countries. Littleton High School has been involved in this project for six years. In the beginning, twelve portraits were drawn, now Ms. Jeannelle is expecting forty portraits.
Being involved in The Memory Project offers our school students a different perspective about kids that live in poverty-stricken conditions. For our artists, these portraits bring the kids hope and happiness while they are living in dark times.
“It’s awesome to have an opportunity to brighten a younger kid’s day with something that they can remember for years to come,” said sophomore Hannah Matteo.
Students looking to get involved in this project should reach out to Ms. Jeanelle in the Art Department.
“You don’t have to a great artist just someone willing to help! You can trace your kid, a lot of the time the portrait part freaks people out, and it’s also open medium you can do digital, colored pencil, paint so you can add your own touch to it. It’s a fun thing to participate in,” said sophomore Kate Rutledge
The program currently is only offered in the fall semester, however, that may change. Keep your eyes open.