138. The Memory Project

This episode refers to a number of visuals that are in the video version which can be seen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fbnO3K6fxKt9pfaTp8mYn or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zxlfSvqAhOY• We believe the message is an important one, even if you do not watch the video, and hope that you will enjoy this and every episode of our series.Ben Schumaker first spoke to the Rotary eClub of Silicon Valley in 2016 to tell the story of the Memory Project, a youth arts organization he founded in 2004. He spoke to us again in 2022 about his efforts to help resettle Afghan refugees. In this presentation, he will briefly recap the history of the Memory Project and update us on his efforts to support education for Afghan girls. He will then describe several challenges that the Memory Project (and the field of art education, in general) has faced during the past several years. Lastly, Ben will invite club members to help him brainstorm potential new pathways that the Memory Project could take in the future, with hopes of adapting and strengthening the organization in these changing times.Ben founded the Memory Project in 2004 after an experience volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala. While there, he learned that the children had very few personal keepsakes to take with them after leaving the orphanage. As Ben had always enjoyed drawing portraits for others, he had the idea to organize high school art teachers and art students to create portraits as positive and tangible "memories" for the children to carry into their future.Since then, more than 300,000 young artists have participated in this effort to create portraits for children in 58 different countries. Running the Memory Project has been Ben's full time job ever since 2006, and his typical workday consists of answering emails alone on his couch. However, the days he loves far more are the ones spent delivering the portraits to children around the world.Please check out the Memory Project's website and see videos of our work at:https://memoryproject.orgTo learn more about Men for Equality, go to:https://menforequality.org/