independent and interdependent

We talk a great deal about whether we are independent or interdependent.  We wonder if the actions of one blind person can change attitudes toward the blind.  We often become discouraged by the immensity of the challenge of changing attitudes, and we throw up our hands and say, "I just can't do anything about it". 

Lily Yeh is not blind.  She is an artist.  One individual.  But Lily Yeh listened to her inner self and then took the next step.  She acted.  And out of her individual action an organization blossomed. Independent:  Interdependent?  Individual?  Organizational?  It's all part of the same thing.  We are all joined together.  Read about Lily Yeh's approach to making change and see if it doesn't make sense. 

Curious Carl

 

Barefoot Artists, Inc. is a nonprofit arts organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that uses the power of art to transform impoverished communities. Founded in 2003 by Lily Yeh, Barefoot Artists aims to train and empower local residents, organize communities, and take action for a more compassionate, just and sustainable (better) future. Using the concept and model proven in her 20 years of work in inner city North Philadelphia at the Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philadelphia and in other poor communities in the States, Yeh works on projects in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Ecuador, China, and Rwanda, among others. As the name implies, Barefoot Artists is a volunteer organization with few encumbrances of staff and overhead. Yeh raises funds for specific projects that pair volunteer expertise with local people to improve environment, advance health, education, and economic development. When funds are raised for a project, a call for volunteers is held and a group of volunteers and some paid staff are organized.

During the project process, participants learn Barefoot Artists methodology on community building and economic development through art. We aim to inspire the participants such that they will take initiative to start their own projects, bring other volunteers, funding sources and new opportunities to the communities in need. We intend that the various programs initiated by volunteers become multi-faceted and inter-connected so as to better serve the communities. To read more about the Village and see photos of the projects, please click here.