Mourja is a very tender-hearted girl. It’s rare to catch her without a smile on her face. The first few times Mourja came for art therapy sessions, she made very little eye contact with me and was very timid. When I would ask her what materials she’d like to use, she wanted me to choose for her.

Mourja was born with severe clubfoot in both of her feet. All her life she has gotten around by crawling on her knees. Her knees are calloused the way someone’s would be if they walked their whole lives without shoes. After her first operation, when she had two brand new casts on, we pulled out the paint, and she started painting on one leg while I painted on the other. This was the moment when the ice broke between us. She was sitting on a chair at the table and I got down on the floor so that I would be able to paint the bottom of her cast as well. I don’t think she was expecting that. Here I was, practically nose to toe, hunched over so that I could cover her cast in color. Read the rest of this entry »

Hannatou, the hospital social worker, does an amazing job with the patients, and especially their families, during their stay at the hospital. Many of the mothers who accompany their children get to participate in all kinds of activities like cooking, sewing, jewelery making, and knitting. One of the projects Hannatou does with them is knitting winter outfits for kids. Yes, they bundle up like they’re just about ready for a snow storm! Read the rest of this entry »