Changing Lives Through the Arts

I was born in Monrovia, Liberia, a country just recovering from a bloody civil war. I was born into this war on March 21, 1990. Going through this difficult time, my family and I experienced poverty, illnesses, and we saw and knew people around us being killed.By the grace of God, we managed to escape this war well, and sane. I came to this country about 7 years, ago, and the love to help children facing similar problems as I faced as a child is constantly growing. I have had this desire for as long as I can remember. During the Summer, and once or sometimes twice every week, I do a lot of volunteering. I have been volunteering at the Birmingham Museum of art since I was 15. Through the Museum of art, I have helped inner city children become exposed to cultures outside their surroundings. I have helped teach them about art from Pompeii, and several countries in Africa. I have helped teach them how to make valuable use of their time, and focus on the positives and joy art can bring instead of crimes, and hardships going on around them. Through the Birmingham Museum of art, I have also volunteered at Children's Hospital, in Birmingham, AL. I have taught children suffering from cancer, and going through Dialysis about different art forms as well, and helped cheer them up, and sway their attention from the difficult illnesses they face. I also volunteer through my church with a program called 'Feed the Hungry'. An outreach program to the homeless of our state. I spend a lot of time every year helping children around Birmingham suffering from poverty, violence or illnesses. I beleive I am a good candidate for the Brick award, knowing that through this award, in college, I will have many college fees paid for, and in turn, have enough time to volunteer and help children through my gift of art,something I love to do.