The work I do is not spectacular. It consists of trimming overgrown bushes, taking care of the fallen leaves, getting rid of the immense amount of weed that has grown there, etcetera. Later we may go further into replacing or repairing a small wooden fence that has since long seen its best days. And I must admit that the work I do there every Friday fills me with a sense of satisfaction.
Summery Son, captured 2009.
The feeling of doing something good for people whose lives have been filled with hardships is very rewarding in itself. It is no understatement that I am thankful for being able to do this work. A gospel kind of thankful. Having gotten the chance to eat dinner and talk a little with a few of them also gives interesting perspectives on things.
I also have a few more or less visionary ideas involving art and this group of people. Wouldn't it be fantastic if there was a direction towards establishing more artistic projects with music, photography, painting and whatever sparks their interest and curiosity available for people who have lived or live under these conditions? It could be a way of regaining hope in yourself and realizing your own potential which may have been forgotten. Time will tell if or when I will put forward these ideas and what kind of response it will gather. I have a voice in the local section of the green party now after all, as I have written about before.
On a personal level I am also happy to tell that I am going to have a few of my photographs on exhibition in a café hopefully not long from now. I have refurbished a couple of frames I got from second hand to go with them. I also got it clear today that I will have the opportunity to exhibit my photography in another café run by a city supported non-profit organization next late year. Something I wouldn't have believed of myself doing not long ago. But I am determined to continue my life towards a positive path.
