Dream.Love.Grow - came into fruition in 2008. It started off as a way to inspire people to be creative and to be kind to one another. Founder, Mailyne would use it as a vehicle to bring art and foster more love in herself and in the community by performing direct acts of kindness. She would use her savings or the money she earned from selling her art work thinking it was a better way to spend the money.
Her projects from oldest to newest, included:
Valentine's Day - Street Love:
One hundred packages of hershey kisses and chocolates were packaged along with a hand-written "Love" quote. They were distributed to any homeless person spotted, as well as anyone that would give a smile passing by. In return for this, 100 smiles were received.
Shepperds of Good Hope - Christmas gifts
At the end of the year leftover artwork from craft sales and exhibitions were wrapped for the Shepperds of Good Hope in Ottawa. Every year people donate presents to the shelter for families who can not afford presents for themselves and for others. These families can come in and choose gifts, which are pre-wrapped in cellophane to make the choosing easier.
The Mandaue Landfill Project:
What started off as a one time field trip became an on-going project for Mailyne. Her first visit at the landfill, 50 loot bags were made up with crayons, notebooks, balloons, bubbles and candy to be distributed to all the children in the landfill. Photographer Dana Harper joined her a second time to hand out photos that were taken of the children and families. A documentary was created called One Act of Kindness. The third visit at the landfill was the most difficult one since as conditions were worst. However, her hope in the future is to bring dental/health care outreach programs to the landfill, as well as a way to clean drinking water.
:A few homes in the landfill
Ify handing out some clothing to the kids:
Our jeepney during our last visit:
Maasin Earth Day - Southern Leyte
Every year Maasin has an Earth Day event where people join from all over bringing together artists, skaters and children. Fortunate enough to have a wonderful cousin organizing the event, Mailyne was able to bring her friends along to experience the event and paint a mural with a few children, including one she called Spiderman.
One Act of Kindness #2: Joe Mike Store
A little store that hit by vandalism, became our experiment with a mural painting on the front and the side of the store. Designed to be a tribute to the Philippines, the sun was painted on the front and the side was Lapu-Lapu, the new bridge and a beautiful sunset. Children helped create the sun with their handprints and as well as the side mural which was filled in with brushes. It took all day, with retouches the next day, but it became the brightest store on the block A documentary was also created of this day, for One Act of Kindness.
Joyce and Carlstein painting away:
The Albert Schweitzer Orphanage - Christmas visit
The kids at the orphanage were really something else. We played frisbee, volleyball, basketball and watched as they practiced their Christmas performance for the concert. There are close to 60 kids, all very bright and friendly. They absolutely loved the camera. Our friend from the Rhema Creatives regularly visits the children to teach them about music, love and life. They are also on the list to receive health care and dental care.
My niece and I with a few of the orphans after playing frisbee:
Kinderhilfe Childrens Village and Lets-Share
Our first trip in the Lets-Share boat brought us to Padre Burgos in Southern Leyte. We visited these children for a weekend and I brought all my art to paint with them. They have families, but they are placed in the Children's Village where they receive education, health care and love - things that they would normally not receive. The Children's Village has about 10 homes that can house 14 children and are run by 2 House Parents. The whole organization was put together by one man named Jeurgen from Germany. We were able to make a documentary about this as well. These kids were the first kids that ever made me cry when we had to say good-bye.
My nieces and nephews painting together:
You would think that art, education, health care and love would be easily accessible to most families in the Philippines. But unfortunately, these are more of a luxury than anything. The children that I've met along the way can not get enough of love. If you play with them for a minute they already love you. To show children your love and appreciation - it is something that will never be forgotten. Our belief is that Love is the center of everything.
If you go to the Philippines, you will never forget the love that is felt from the different communities. If you are from there you know how hard the struggle is. If you've visited it, you can see it. If you've lived through it, you can understand it. The goal of Dream.Love.Grow is to help these communities and the children and to make their struggles less difficult. We want to be able to bring them health care and dental care, education in the creative arts and also teach them the importance of taking care of the environment, as well as each other.
We are currently working hard to make Dream.Love.Grow a charitable organization so that we can do this full-time and really make a difference in the lives of the children and bring hope to their future.
Our projects occur in Cebu, Philippines, but we want to see love happen worldwide.
Our projects occur in Cebu, Philippines, but we want to see love happen worldwide.
If you want to know more about Dream.Love.Grow, please visit the Facebook group: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7366056061
Your support and any support is truly appreciated.
Please feel free to e-mail at anytime.
Sincerely,
Mailyne
Founder/Artist
