Art for orphans in India

Mary Tavy artist Laure Bury recently spent some time running art workshops for the children of Tara Children’s Project in Bodhgaya in India. Coordinated by the Buddhist Root Institute, the centre includes a Buddhist retreat with accommodation, prayer rooms, canteen, a school for over 230 children, a free medical centre, library and orphanage. The Dalai Lama was teaching there during her stay, so she was also able to attend some of his teachings, as well as meet Richard Gere who was also staying there.

HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in India and orphaned children can be rejected and left to fend for themselves at a very young age. Tara Children’s Project has 21 orphaned children, who are the ‘lucky' few, as this is the only HIV/AIDS orphanage in the state of Bihar. These children go to the Root Institute school where they are educated in the seven principles of Forgiveness, Apology, Patience, Kindness, Courage and Rejoicing. Laure arrived in India with a suitcase full of art materials for the children, including mandala outlines on paper and canvas for the children to decorate. She says: “The warmth, kindness and generosity of the children, far outweighed any discomforts of travelling in India and I would like to thank everyone who supported this worthwhile project”.