Girls Get Wild at CERI Animal Art Party

The Center for the Empowerment of Refugees and Immigrants (CERI) in Oakland, CA hosted Animals for Africa at their own Animal Art Party in January.  I was delighted to spend two Friday evenings chatting and crafting with this group of compassionate and wildly creative young women, while they made their own ecclectic versions of the animals for orphans in Africa.  They also fed me delicious, home cooked cambodian food (a group cooking effort) and told me more than a few good ghost stories!  The children of traumatized immigrants from a war torn Cambodia themselves, these girls were quick to identify with the blight of the African child they were crafting for, and wondered with their own big hearts, if we might also make animals for the children at the CERI sponsored orphanage in Cambodia.  A seed was certainly planted!   We'll keep you posted on how this new alliance grows, but a future  "Love Made Tangible" campaign in Asia is an inspiring possibility!  Much thanks  to CERI executive director Mona Afary and program coordinator Jen Jastrab for the invitation and hospitality!  

    

And a big thanks to ALL our ambassadors and makers!  Check out more Animal Art Party stories and  these fun party picks!   and  sign up now to host your own Animal Art Party!    If you're a non-profit organization, business, school or club, you can also  invite us to present a workshop for your group event!