Hello,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and for all your generous support.

I am really excited to have the opportunity to be here in Guayaquil, Ecuador for a year where I am volunteering for the Charlotte Miller Art Project. I am leading a programme of practical art workshops for 5 - 18yr olds who work on the streets. The children make money on the streets by selling sweets, washing car windscreens and by dancing, singing and doing acrobatics.  I am really enjoying spending time with the children and their families in the different sectors of Guayaquil and finding it a humbling experience. We currently have art projects running in the sectors Fertisa, Balerio Estacio and Nueva Prosperina.

Street-involved children are expected to assume responsibility for income generation, domestic household tasks and child care from a very early age. These children often have no time available in their busy day for recreational and creative activities and in most cases their parents do not understand the value or importance of expressive activities and stimulation for their child's full development. Some parents even go so far as to physically punish their children if they catch them playing.

The money that I have raised will go towards supporting me for the year and has already gone towards my flight, visa, vaccinations, insurance, accommodation, Spanish lessons and art materials. It has also helped fund an 8 week pilot project that I ran with JUCONI Mexico at the beginning of this year.

In addition to my justgiving page I was raising money through a series of events before I left the UK. Any additional money that I raise will go towards my living expenses and art materials for the projects.

Donating through this site using a debit or credit card is totally secure. If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

For further information about this project or to view artwork created during previous years you can visit www.charlottemillerartproject.co.uk

Thanks again for your support, I really appreciate it,

Anna