OUR MISSION

The Global Art Initiative's mission is to break the poverty cycle for disabled artists in Third World Countries. We are a non-profit focused on education and the sale of original artwork to benefit handicapped artists globally. We engage children and adults in art projects geared to developing an understanding of disability and the awareness that artistic ability is not limited by a disability.  Our hope is that through their experience with the Global Art Initiative, participants will take compassionate action, becoming donors in the larger shared humanitarian project.

Haiti Project - Trip to Haiti in November 2009

Crutch Painting

During his November 2009 trip to Port-au-Prince and Jacmel, Haiti, Global Art Initiative President and International Coordinator, Dr. Fred Sorrells, took a shipment of crutches for distribution among physically challenged people of Haiti.

American kids display painted crutches
As part of the Global Crutch Project, American children collect and decorate one side of crutches to promote disability awareness and assist the millions of diabled in the emerging nations.

On right, under the direction of Global Art Initiative Domedtic Coordinator Laurie Berg, children display crutches they painted for delivery to people with disabilities in Haiti.
Haitian children decorate crutches

 

Once delivered to an emerging nation, local able-bodied children decorate the other side of the crutch and deliver them to the disabled in their society.

On left, local children in the the Haitian city of Jacmel decorated the crutches and then distributed them to physically challenged in the local disabled population.

Haitian children display painted crutches

On right, able-bodied Haitian children display colorfully painted crutches which are now ready to distribute to people with disabilities.

The World Health Organization estimates that 10-15% of the Hatian population is disabled.

Haitian boy gives new aluminum crutches to Haitian amputee

 

 

On left, a Haitian boy gives newly painted aluminum crutches to a Haitian amputee.

People with disabilities in Haiti are often scorned and viewed as cursed by God, but this young man's attitude towards people with disabilities has been changed.

Amputee joyfully walks the streets of Jacmel on a her pair of new crutches

 

On right, the amputee joyfully walks the streets of Jacmel on a her pair of new crutches - colorfully decorated by American and Haitian children and given by Haitian children.

 

 

 

The Artists

Eder Romeus welcomes Dr. Fred Sorrells

The Global Art Initiative donates art supplies to disabled artists to help them pursue their artistic endeavors, and during his stay, Dr. Sorrells was able to visit Global Art Initiative disabled artists in Haiti.

He was especially happy to travel several hours outside the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, to visit disabled artist Eder Romeus.

On right, Eder welcomes Dr. Fred Sorrells. Eder had decorated his shack with symbols representative of the Global Art Initative.

Eder Romeus in his shack

Eder, who suffers from polio and was orphaned as a child, lives in deep poverty. 

However, through the eventual sales of his artwork through the Global Art Initiative, Eder is extremely hopeful that his situation with change soon.

He says the Global Art Initiative has brought the first ray of hope for a better life.

Eder Romeus paints canvas stretched onto old wooden crutch

The Global Art Initiative's mission is to break the poverty cycle of disabled artists in the emerging nations through the sale of their artwork.  Such sales will radically improve the lives of  disabled artists like Eder Romeus.

On right, Eder Romeus stretches canvas on old wooden crutches and creates amazing artwork.  This painting depicts the spread of malaria through misquito bites.

 

John Paul Joseph does a crutch painting on an old wooden crutch

 

 

On left, disabled artist John Paul Joseph does a crutch painting on an old wooden crutch exchanged for a colorfully decorated GAIN crutch. His painting depicts a female recepient of a colorful crutch - now able to carry a traditional basket on her head.

Herold Alvares mouth paints on canvas stretched on an old wooden crutch

 

 

 

On right, disabled artist Herold Alvares mouth paints on canvas stretched on an old wooden crutch that Dr. Sorrells had exchanged for a colorfully decorated GAIN crutch. A polio immunization of a young child is the subject of his painting.

 

 

 

Aspiring Athletes for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London

Haitian athletes aspiring to participate in the 2012 London Paralympic Games
Dr. Sorrells, a disabled sports consultant, also worked with local disabled athletes aspiring to participate in the 2012 London Paralympic Games.  He strongly feels there are potential Paralympic medalists in Haiti - just waiting to be discovered and trained in sports for the disabled.

On left, under the watchful eye of UN Peace Keepers, Haitian disabled athletes train on local streets hoping to qualify for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.  There is no regulation track with appropriate running surface in the entire country.

Please consider making a generous tax-exempt donation to help the Global Art Initiative lift disabled artists from the thoes of poverty. Art supplies, sports equipment, crutches, walkers and day and sports wheelchairs are desperately needed as well. Consider voluntering your time and expertise to the Global Art Initiative.