For a hospitalized child, receiving a message from children their age can be extra special. It brightens their day. It lets them know someone is thinking about them. For a moment, it lifts their spirits as they undergo their unique battles.
Surely, messages with words are wonderful. However, the thing about art is it is a universal language. There are no words to comprehend — only a feeling to be shared.
Recently, the children at St. Joseph’s Indian School shared art projects with children benefitting from Arts for Little Hearts, an organization that collects artwork from volunteers and distributes them to hospitalized children around the world.
Rachel, the art teacher at St. Joseph’s, discovered Arts for Little Hearts and knew her students would jump at the opportunity to share their artwork with others — especially those in a challenging season of life.
“Our students create so much art throughout the year. I first offered the idea to send some of the art they make in class that they didn’t plan on taking home, but I had several students who wanted to create art specifically for this cause,” said Rachel. “Some students even wanted to send their favorites — they were happy to send it to a kid a world away.”
Rachel went on to say how therapeutic the art creation process can be — especially when the artist is allowed to create art of their choice and not just what the world expects. In this manner, our students benefit and heal from the process of creating, in the hopes of likewise benefitting other children by helping them heal.
Arts for Little Hearts loved the art from our students and quickly sent the pieces on their way to hospitalized children. In fact, they even shared a few pictures of the artwork we sent on their Instagram page — art that was headed to the Cairo Children’s Hospital in Egypt.
While St. Joseph’s students might not have expected their artwork to travel across the globe, it’s certainly been the cherry on top of an overall great experience. Though our students will never meet the children they’ve blessed, they will share a special bond of compassion, love, confidence, courage and optimism that crosses all cultures and countries.
This activity is not unlike what you do when you support students at St. Joseph’s Indian School. While you may never meet them, your acts of kindness make a difference. We appreciate your support and generosity, as we continue helping cultivate that same spirit of wačháŋtognaka — generosity — in our students.
Philámayaye — thank you!
when the chips are down the poor looks after the poor i love this no matter how poor and sad we are we can always find someone worst off then us this makes me want to pick up my donation again im still struggling out here my daughters still in divorce turmoil and im still in a 2000 a month hotel only because we cant find a house with no steps since im in a wheelchair i cant climb any steps so im gonna pick you all back up but it can only be 15 a month peace and blessings diane sturges
Diane, please know we understand that life can throw people unexpected events and seasons of struggle. If you’re in a season where you cannot give, we will accept your prayers and will pray for you, as well. We hope your coming days bring you an easier road. God bless!
Every St. Joe school article I read is yet another cherry on the top of an amazing giving Sundae, but this one was extra special to me, as I have been a “professional artist” (more simply put, a commercial graphics, designer and illustrator) for 70 years before I retired and after retirement, started working on a collection of line art pieces of things that interested me. Lighthouses, in particular. Trees, in particular. Horses, in particular. And quite a few other things… in particular. I know very well how art connects people and how it makes a person feel just by looking at it. “Wow. That’s great. Did you DO that?” Yes, I did. And yes, so many can do and enjoy the facility of “making a connection.” And with these beautiful Lakota children whose ancestors created a marvelous legacy for them on so many levels, are carrying through with projects like these that show just how innately giving, loving and respectful they truly really are. Be Aware, children, of who you really are. Blessings.
Thank you so much! We’re so glad you enjoyed this story and understand the meaning and depth of impact behind it. Your artwork sounds lovely. Thank you for taking the time to share that with us. God bless!
Each child has an opportunity to express their uniqueness.