In the several months since painting live at a Falling Whistles event here in Denver, I’ve made several connections across the country with fantastic individuals working to end the more than 20-year war going on in the Congo, and the devastating effects it’s had on its people. I met Beth Haley through Facebook, who contacted me to ask the meaning behind my “There is Freedom in Story” piece, and had the honor of sitting down to coffee with her a few months ago when she passed through town.

Beth’s passions are evident. The instant connection and inspiration I felt in our conversation are sure to be the experience of all others who have the same privilege. Started over a year ago, Beth helped found an organization called eXile International, which “exists to instill hope, healing, and love to the trauma victims of Africa by providing trauma counseling, art therapy programs and by teaching peace, reconciliation and conflict resolutions skills.”

Creatively, Beth’s passions lie in writing, photography, and in the work she does with her clients in her counseling practice in Nashville and with eXile. The following is a statement about Beth and the inspiration behind eXile and what drives her to use her art (and many other talents) for a much greater cause:

“Feeding a child is a vital and basic necessity, but when you feed a child, that which fills their stomach will disappear. Hunger returns. It always does. But if you teach a child to Hope, it will be their greatest companion on a hungry night.

eXile international was founded by Beth and friend Peggy Cox. Out of her first trip to Congo for trauma counseling, Beth had to redefine her understanding of what hope meant. After she and the team visited five displacement camps in one day, she realized the people were not only living in true EXILE, but in emotional EXILE as well – lacking security and stability of the heart. Beth was shown a new level of hopelessness…

• Child soldiers asking her to be their mother
• Women trying to give her their children
• Children being abducted by rebels and forced to kill their parents or to watch their parents be murdered in brutal ways.
• Stories of women being repeatedly raped and having their children being stolen from their arms by the rebels
• Children who had been so traumatized they rarely spoke or showed emotion.

Her primary thought prevailed, ‘This is so much bigger than we are. How can we make a difference?’ On the plane ride back, she sat next to an autistic Kenyan boy. Looking out the window at the clouds and the heavens, he started to repeat in his catatonic way, ‘It is bigger than we are. It is bigger than we are. It is so much bigger than we are.’

In amazement, it was then that she realized it IS so much bigger than we are….as individuals – but not as a collaborative team and not with a big God.

Out of her experiences (and being a social worker and psychologist) the dream began of creating a trauma counseling program for the war-torn youth of Congo and Eastern Africa that would involved art/expressive therapy and peace & reconciliation training.”

They invite you to join with them by fighting this fight and making this dream a reality.

Beth, in remarking on what’s brought her to this place, told me, “As a child and a preacher’s kid, I was on the front row when the missionaries came to church. My friends would skip that night, but I was there foaming at the mouth to get over to Africa. My family would turn off the Save The Children infomercials because I would be so into it. (I even desperately wanted a live monkey for Christmas when I was little.) Over the years, I have been to many countries doing mission work throughout the world, but was praying for God to bring my skills as a therapist and my love for Africa together.

I was in Dallas doing my own personal work for trauma recovery/emotional wounds and was without a car, so I walked to the nearest church on a Sunday. A man was speaking by the name of Célestin Musekura who survived the Rwandan genocide. Out of his own story, he founded an organization called ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries). Their mission is teach peace, reconciliation, trauma counseling, and discipleship training in Eastern Africa. He and I talked the day after I met him and began talking about creating a trauma counseling program for the youth in Africa. I went with ALARM to Congo in 2008. Congo was like no other country I had been to. I think for some people, its darkness envelops you in a way that bonds you to it. You leave knowing you have a play some part it bringing light to her people.”

eXile international exists to instill hope, healing, and love to the traumatized children of war in Congo and Eastern Africa by providing art/expressive therapy and peace building through a program called the HOPE Initiative.

Their mission: Through partnering with existing African organizations, orphanages, churches, and schools on the ground, the vision is for the art therapy and peace program to be implemented throughout Congo and Eastern Africa.

Their greatest vision is for this program to provide a means for the children to heal from their heartaches and to learn forgiveness, peace, and reconciliation at a deeper level. With a problem so massive, they believe they must begin with the smallest child and teach them a different way: To live in hope, peace, and healing.

Their motto is this: We Must Stop the Bleeding and Mend the Wound To Change the Course…..

Stopping the Bleeding is international political activism to support peace in Congo and throughout Eastern Africa.

Mending the Wound is giving the children an opportunity to heal from their heartaches through art, dance, drama, and music therapy and teaching them what peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness looks like.

If both of those things happen over time and through the hearts of enough children, we can see a change in the course of war. Their dream is for the next generation of Africa’s children to be soldiers of peace rather than soldiers of war.

Finally, Beth remarked, “My heart cry is for the people of Congo and Eastern Africa, but in general, it is for anyone who others have given up on. I think believing in someone and valuing them for who they were created to be, in the place they currently are, is one of the greatest honors you can give them. That can be the underdog who is my next door neighbor, on the team on the basketball court who is loosing, or in a developing country. God is the ultimate one who believes in us when no one else does. Although I fail daily, my wish is to be His heart here on earth. Apart from that, its kids kids and kids. I love my nieces and nephew like crazy.

Simply: [I want to] let the Lord use my passions to make a difference, to embed peace in once war torn countries, and help these kids know that God is beside of them in their pain. Much of the program has to do with togetherness. In showing them that they have all suffered greatly, but they have suffered together and they can heal together…that they are not alone. Because there is a strength that lives inside of them that no one can ever take away – they are never alone and peace is possible.”

“As a survivor of domestic violence I am hoping to spread the message of awareness through art and the written word. Had I known some of the red flags of domestic violence or what to do if ever in such a place, I would have been better off. Many domestic violence victims believe they are to blame. They are convinced of this by their abuser. Often, they think there is no way out. There is. This is a very important message for everyone. It’s important that if you know someone who is in a position like this, how you might help them in a safe way so no one gets hurt.

Sexual Abuse is another cause that I feel is important. Breaking the silence is so important. People are abused twice when no one understands. My biggest and most ambitious goal is to try to find or create an auction of art to benefit those women and children who are viciously raped everyday in Africa and the Congo.”

You can find more of Chastity’s work on the Break the Silence Project website.

Shana found social he(art) after Dawn decided to feature my blog on her site, under a list of several other similar resources. So, I’m absolutely honored to be passing along Shana’s story, as I’m so amazed at her personal strength. It’s rare (and brave) when you see people speaking, using their voice, to shatter silence and break stigma. As you’ll see, what Shana has experienced is tremendously difficult, and I’m hoping that more are inspired to start telling their own stories by the courage she shows here in letting you into her struggles.

“I got started thinking about, and painting about, the issue of Domestic Violence about 20 years ago. When I was 14 years old, my mother was murdered by my brother with a bow and arrow. He is currently serving a life sentence for first-degree intentional homicide and reckless endangerment. We are not, nor will ever (if I can help it) be in contact.

At the time, there was so much going on in my head, that I sought painting as a refuge from the testifying and the publicity and the hurt that came along with that event. I found that I had a lot of healing to do, and I started painting a lot of images of my mother. Working with my hands, images, seemed to help me mourn. So I just created and felt, rather than thought, for many years.

Painting helps me to understand events in my own life so much better than simply thinking them. In fact, I find myself still working out the emotions of this experience, 20 years later. I probably could have been the ‘poster child’ for art therapy, I have always done it, but just didn’t recognize it as such.

When I finally went to an art and design school for my BFA, I was starting to better understand the use that creating and art had in my life. I was also starting to understand its power; both in what it gave me, and in what others saw through my work. I felt that I had something to say, something of my experience. I felt that I had the ability and the means to say something powerful, and so I began to more consciously ‘speak’ with my art.

And along the way, I realized that I was fortunate to have had the release that I found through art. I also recognized that there were others that were still trying to find their own voices, their own freedom in that way. My work is all about a message, a dialogue; I strive to give ‘voice’ to the voiceless. I allow them to have a voice through me, if they need it. This is hard, emotional work for me, I’m not going to lie. But creating a narrative about these experiences is a must, and I will continue to ‘talk’ as long as anyone is willing to listen.

Recently, I felt that it was time for me to start giving back more and learning more, and the Sojourner Truth House happened to be in need of volunteers. Specifically, they were looking to fill a position at our county court house. Now I volunteer my time at the District Attorney’s Office waiting room, as a confidential advocate. There is a new, and unique partnership going on between Sojourner and the DA’s Office in my area. It is a program that is geared towards better helping and protecting victim’s rights. So my job is to answer questions, and protect the victims who have to testify that day.

I feel as if it is the perfect position for me, because I still remember being incredibly scared when I had to testify at my brother’s murder trial. It was one of the scariest moments of my young life, and indeed, I frequently see the victims shaking when I volunteer. So I am there to ease that for them, a little bit. I call for extra support, if it’s needed, and I make sure the defendants get nowhere near the victims/witnesses.

I am able to ease my own childhood fears at this job, as I do with painting. It helps me, just as much, maybe more, than I feel I help anyone else. It’s about listening and learning and crafting a universal voice from my own experiences and those around me. My mother’s violent death made me a stronger, yet more understanding woman, and I’m actually grateful for that. I’m happy to have been given this chance, this ability, and this ‘voice’ (always on loan to whomever needs it).”

You can check out Shana’s blog, where she updates frequently, at http://artinshanaty.blogspot.com/.

Photo Credit: gobuttit photography

Rich had this to say about how he got started:

“I’ve always been into art and was the art geek in school. It came naturally to me that I would use art as a release and escape when I started going through problems in life. It became my cure without even realizing it. It wasn’t until I started telling people how I used art as a release and a cure that I realized how powerful art can be to someone.

I put my artwork on MySpace, as most artists do, and it started to attract attention from people. One girl in America emailed me one day asking about my work, so I told her my story; how it helped me deal with problems, what the paintings represented and how it made me feel. She replied a few days later telling me that she had been suicidal for months and used self harming as a release from the pain she was feeling. After hearing me tell her about using art as a form of therapy for myself, she went out and bought all manner or paints, brushes, pens, paper and spent a couple of days locked away experimenting with art as a release. She concluded the email by saying she didn’t think about self harming once in the last couple of days and that telling her about art as a cure saved her life.

This made a big impact on me and I thought, if I can do that for someone I’ve never met without even realizing it, imagine what I could do if I poured all of my energy and resources into this, and the movement Art Is The Cure was born. In the last year since the project began, it’s grown to help people all over the world and inspire thousands of people to deal with problems through art.”

Rich is based out of England and his own art is primarily rooted in street art, with stencil and spray paint (my own personal favorite). You can check out his pieces, along with more on his organization at his MySpace page, www.myspace.com/artisthecure.

I’d love to hear more from you readers about how art has been a release in your own life, and any other individuals or organizations you know working for similar causes. I’ve seen art as therapy exploding everywhere, and it’d be great to hear more. Be sure to write Rich, as well, if you’d like to tell him how art has helped you deal with issues you’ve faced.

The Freedom In Creation Tour is a unique concert and art exhibition experience to benefit the work of Freedom In Creation in Northern Uganda. Visiting six cities from June 12 to June 18, our goal is to raise $10,000 for Freedom In Creation’s weekly art sessions and fresh water well projects in the Koro Abili IDP camp community. Each night we will showcase the work of child artists and hear live music from singer-songwriter and Freedom In Creation partner, Alex Mejias. Also appearing will be the up and coming pop-rock band, Tim Be Told. Freedom In Creation Founder and President Andrew Briggs will also be presenting a short film and speaking on Freedom In Creation’s work in Koro Abili. For more info visit www.fictour.org.

Since those tour dates are too small to read, they are as follows:
06.12 | Awesome Inc. [Lexington, KY] $10
06.13 | The Water Heater [Roanoke, VA] $10
06.14 | Hazel River Armory [Culpeper, VA] FREE
06.16 | Gallery5 [Richmond, VA] $10
06.17 | Contemporary Art Center [VA Beach, VA] $10
06.18 | Try and Make [Cville, VA] $10

Here is the text from the event press release:

FREEDOM IN CREATION TOUR FEATURING REGIONAL MUSICIANS AND WORK OF CHILD ARTISTS FROM UGANDA SETS OUT IN JUNE 2009.

Charlottesville, VA , May 28, 2009 – The Freedom In Creation Tour is a one-week series of events across Virginia and Kentucky to benefit the work of Freedom In Creation in Northern Uganda, with stops in Lexington (KY), Roanoke, Culpeper, Richmond, Virginia Beach and Charlottesville. Each event includes both a concert from regional artists Alex Mejias and Tim Be Told and an art exhibit entitled “The Story of Freedom,” which features artwork by children participating in Freedom In Creation’s weekly art program. Freedom In Creation founder and president Andrew Briggs will also be presenting a short video and talk introducing Freedom In Creation to attendees. All proceeds from the tour will go to Freedom In Creation and tax deductible donations will also be collected at each event.

The idea for a tour was born out of the success of a benefit concert and exhibit that took place in Washington, D.C. this past February. Mejias and Briggs organized the event together after getting to know each other at an International Justice Mission conference. Of that event Mejias notes that, “the combination of a live concert and art exhibit provides a powerful setting to introduce the work and ethos of Freedom In Creation. Our goal for that night was to celebrate these children’s art as a meaningful contribution to the humanitarian efforts taking place in their community. But it also became a poignant way for us as artists to join them in that work. We hope that this tour will be an inspiration to artists interested in humanitarianism and social justice, that they too can be involved in this work, as artists.”

Freedom in Creation is a community-led, arts-based psychosocial, education and water-development program aimed at empowering war affected children in Northern Uganda while educating about the “global village” and celebrating the role of the arts within humanitarianism. FIC addresses the socialization and reintegration of children (non- and ex-combatants) into their communities and access to clean and safe drinking water. Following a simple process, the children, through their creative power, are able to bring access to fresh drinking water to their communities and consequently feel both empowered and valued as stakeholders in the process. (For more information about Freedom In Creation visit www.freedomincreation.org.)

The Freedom In Creation Benefit Concert and Exhibit will begin on June 12 in Lexington, KY and end on June 18 in Charlottesville, VA. There will be a $10 cover at the door for each event except Culpeper. For more information visit www.FICTOUR.org.

I encourage you to check out her blog, which can be found by clicking here, or taking a further look at some of her art, which is posted on her Deviant Art page. Julie considers herself a mixed media collage artist, and says, “I use whatever I can get my hands on.” (That’s the spirit…)

Julie says she’s passionate about so many things, but her art is focused on depression, suicide, self injury, and eating disorders. She’s got a great heart, and shared this story on her art with me:

“I probably got my start from my mom. She’s got a big heart. Definitely a giver. We’ve done a good deal of things together. Everything from working at homeless shelters to doing work in Africa. She definitely fostered this desire in me to give. My passions lie with using art as a solution.

I think I was 15 when someone handed me my first sketchbook. And at first, I tried desperately to use it as I thought a sketchbook should be used: to write and sketch out ideas and then make bigger full pieces of art from that. But after a while, I just kind of gave in. I hated leaving any page unfinished. I wanted them all to be pretty. And once I get started…it just kept going. Things I never knew I even had inside of me came pouring out. It became my healthy outlet when I was dealing with things that were bigger than me. It’s now nearly ten years later and I’m still doing art journals as a form of self therapy. Truth is, I can’t stop. I’d love for them to be able to help others. Anything from just reading and knowing that there’s someone else out there that feels the same, to inspiring them to pick up their own journal. (I guess we’ll see how that goes.)

I really love what To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) and Heart Support are doing, as well as Art is the Cure. I like the idea using art therapy to heal hurts. I came across videos on YouTube of National Geographic Photographers doing art therapy with people in war-torn countries, places that have already received the basic assistance of food, water and shelter. I think people neglect love sometimes as one of those basic needs, and I think art therapy can help with that. I would love to get to that point. But there’s a good deal of hurt here in the United States that can be helped, as well (and it’s where I am currently). Hopefully, I’ll find an organization that feels like home soon.”

Keep checking back for more artists, and you can now follow social he(art) on the official social he(art) Facebook page. Become a fan, and be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed on this site, as well!