I had the opportunity to be present for the entire creation of the mural, and spending time with the AHOPE children, Sharon, and my fellow students impacted my time in Ethiopia in a big way.
We started work on the children’s mural from a faded chalk outline of Sharon’s design. I had been to the big AHope orphanage two weeks prior, and going back this time had me feeling at home. Sharon’s sketch had been there last time, so I knew where we were going from the start. Our helpers for the day, Reed S. and Lillian F., began work on the background. Reed was quick to coat his side (and at least one of his arms) with thick green paint by the first half hour. The children were so excited to help us, and their enthusiasm helped spur us on. By the end of day one we had completed the right side of the back wall.
Day two we had Evan S. and Katie R. The left side was easily slapped on, leaving time for the more important central part. Finally prying open three other colors, we managed to finish filling the circles, arrows, and silhouettes for a near-done look that ensured completion by at least the next day. The kids could help in a much more restricted manner today, seeing as there was more specific work to be done.
Day three was mainly made up of Sharon outlining the figures while Ian E., Elisa N., and I finished touch-ups and second layers. With an hour left over, the mural was done. We took pride in our hard work, but we still had work to be done. The orphanage coordinator requested that we paint pictures on some of the buildings outside as well, so we students went to work on brainstorming ideas. I made some sketches for my ideas.
Day four we stopped at Little AHOPE to meet with the orphanage coordinator. We presented my sketches and asked for permission to use them. They gave us the go-ahead, and we bused back to the other orphanage to begin. Along the outside wall of the boy’s rooms we plotted the designs. Keeping the theme of the original mural, the idea was simply silhouettes performing different virtues: Sharing, Happiness, Praying, and Love. Our helper today was Susanna L., and as the two of us painted the outlines, Sharon worked on a third painting, an AHope sign on the front wall.
The last day of painting, Lillian was back again, and we finished outlining the virtue murals. Sharon completed the AHope sign and painted a banner above the front door. We finished all but the banner, as we never figured out how to say welcome in Amharic. That along with the paintings for each of the bedrooms will be left for the second project to finish. With more than an hour left, we headed back to our compound, saying goodbye to the kids.
The painting project is done, and we couldn’t be prouder of our work. It was probably the most fun part of being in Ethiopia for me, and I look forward to seeing the fully beautified AHope orphanage when everything is done.
Here are some pictures of the mural in progress (and completed!):
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The old wall |
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| Sharon, Micah, and Lillian expressing their inner Charlie's Angels |
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| Susanna, Micah, and Sharon are excited about the AHOPE sign |
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| Celebrating the completion of the mural! |
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| The new wall |
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