So, I'm going to Turkey again! Just me. Just for a week. And for something totally different than I've ever gone for before! It's exciting and scary and overwhelming... and I'm starting to panic, a little, when I think about it for more than 5 minutes and especially when I have imaginary conversations in Turkish!
I'm going to do 3 things that each require an entire summer, but will get a mere 2 days each. I'm crazy, but a Mom and a student and a week is all I've got.
First, I'll be in Antalya working with a 68 year old woman whose energy and gusto I envy. She and her husband have retired there and are working with disabled Turkish kids. I'll be doing a photography clinic with 10-15 year old Downs syndrome kids and training some Turkish college students to continue the workshop for a couple of weeks. It's an answer to prayer for them as they have been looking for something non-threatening to do with these kids and supported by the government social services. We're all hoping that by giving voice to this marginalized group, God will be honored and the beginning of restoration to dignity will happen for these kids. (6% of the population are Downs! yet rarely seen) Our goal is to have an exhibit of their work both in Seattle and in Antalya.
My inspiration for this project has come from the song: Broken.
From there I'll meet my friends in a village who have been working with a Turkish believer to produce handicrafts as a means of generating income for her and her community. We'll be talking through some ways the profit could funnel into larger community development for the village.
And then to Istanbul to see dear friends and catch up with my old team and get back on a plane to start another semester of grad school... hopefully with pounds of Turkish Delight, thousands of pictures, the meat of a thesis, and the beginning of "A Face to Reframe."
Very exciting stuff! If you have an old point and shoot digital camera, memory card, or camera bag you'd like to donate, please let me know. If you'd like to contribute financially toward their purchase, let me know too.
"For I never realized broken glass could shine so brightly."
3 comments:
I'm intrigued by your project after looking at your website. You go girl! Would love to talk to you some time about community development in our town AND our NGO to handicapped kids is up and running AND I'd love to learn more photography... Can our lives intersect again??
That sounds amazing! When do you leave?
Beth,
I guess you're back from Turkey by now. I'm envious! You do certainly have a gift for photography.
I remember feeling astounded when I finally saw a child with Downs syndrome in Istanbul. Why had I never seen any before? But then I wondered if they were all sequestered away somewhere, their parents too ashamed of their children. Had they done something to offend Allah? Would it make their family look bad? That thought broke my heart.
Guess what? I'm getting married in two weeks! Yay!
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