News and Events

Hope Exists 2009 Since 2001, Arts for Life International, Inc. has worked in various capacities with children and adults in crisis. Most of our work has had to do with violence and it's effect upon the body, soul, and spirit of those involved. Currently, we are in the process of co-ordinating volunteers all over the world (America, China, Australia, Russia, Egypt, Japan) to create a handbook for young people in former USSR and communist countries. We are currently translating the handbook into Russian and Romanian and hope to distribute the copies in orphanages, foster homes, group homes, and boarding schools throughout former USSR and Eastern Europe. Very few resources dealing with abuse and its effects are available for children and young people in former USSR and communist countries. Many young people will benefit from this type of resource. The book is also helpful for Christian and non-Christian aid workers who need a greater understanding of violence and it's effects on young people.

Hope Exists

"Hope Exists" is a handbook that is designed to help children in institutionalized settings cope with abuse and its effects on their lives. The fourteen chapter book is for young people between the ages of 12 and 18 and addresses issues such as: what is physical, sexual, spiritual, and emotional abuse; the effects of abuse on the emotions, body, and mind; young people changing the world, power and control, and what to do if in need of help. The book is therapeutic and is designed to help young people understand how abuse has personally affected their lives through art activities that they may complete on their own or in a group. If you would like more information about Hope Exists please email Karen at khvidd32@gmail.com for more information.

World Refugee Day June 20 2009

World Refugee Day June 20 2009 To mark this day, Arts for Life International Inc. wrote a letter to Senator Chris Evans in the Australian Parliament asking that children who are detained on Christmas Island be relocated to appropriate accomodations in mainland Australia. Children and unaccompanied minors seeking asylum from nations that are in crisis are detained at Christmas Island without adequate services. This is breaching the Convention of the Rights of the Child according to Amnesty International. The regimentation of the island creates psychological and physical distress for these young people which may result in long term damage. At AFLI, inc. we hope to see Australian government change this situation by allowing the children to re-settle on mainland Australia. *** Update: The Australian government has worked to provide some changes in this situation and have moved some groups of young people to the Australian mainland (September 2009).

August 2009

August 2009 We have been able to supply Michigan Bridge Ministries with the resource, Staying Safe in both Russian and English. Staying Safe is a resource which helps children in orphanages learn about personal safety. Many children in orphanages are at high risk of sexual abuse and assault for various reasons. One reason is that children without parents are not often taught what is a safe or unsafe person and/or situation. Staying Safe is a resource that can help workers communicate (through experiential workshops) to children the possibility of staying safe.

September 2009 UNHCR and the Darfur Crisis

September 2009 We partner with UNHCR providing small financial support monthly to help displaced people with basic necessities such as clean water. The Darfur crisis is one area that UNHCR is working. Many organizations have been expelled from the Darfur region. We want to help those in crisis and urge you to consider how you can help the people in Darfur. Let's not allow another genocide to continue, let's stand up against the violence there and help those in the daily struggle for survival. Check out how you can help: http://www.unrefugees.org.au/appeal/darfur-emergency.html

Hope Exists Update November 2009

AFLI inc has been very fortunate to have four volunteers working on the Russian translation version of Hope Exists during 2009. Our lead volunteer informs us that the progress is slowly being made and the final version is available by February or March 2010. We are excited about this prospect and will begin to make plans for fund raising so that publishing and distribution can take place throughout former USSR.

AFLI inc. New Board Members

We welcome two new board members to AFLI inc. Karole Dawson is rich in experience concerning children in former USSR. She has experienced five years of life in former USSR country of Belarus helping children in crisis. She now lives in Florida USA with her husband Tom and daughter Shauna. Karole has a Master's in music. Rae Hussey has had many years of excellent experience working with children in crisis in Australia, Belarus, and Russia. She has a Master's degree in Special Education and we look forward to her input to AFLI inc. in the future. She has recently completed an assignment to China and is now living in Australia (her country of birth). We welcome you Karole and Rae and look forward to what we all can do together!

October and November 2009

October and November 2009 - We are now an approved 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. Our first project involves fundraising for the book Hope Exists which is soon to be available in Russian (Febraury 2010).