(Artwork above: Big Horn Ram by an Inmate of the Oregon Correctional Institute)

Art in the Atrium, Franklin Crossing, First Friday, December 7, 5-8pm exhibits artwork by inmates of Oregon correctional institutions with sales benefiting the Ugandan orphan children of Otino Waa Children’s Village. The exhibit continues through December 28.

In 2002, Carol and Bob Higgins, missionaries and former Bend school teachers, responded to pleas to rescue orphans from the violence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Recognizing the need for on-going care for the rescued orphans, in 2003 the Higgins created Otino Waa Children’s Village near Lira, Uganda.

Now some 16 years later, approximately 300 children continue receiving food, clothing, housing, education and spiritual support at the village, assisted by U.S. in-country directors, native Ugandans, dedicated employees and worldwide beneficiaries. In residence, the children attend primary, secondary and vocational school. Especially noteworthy, 78 Otino Waa graduates currently continue on scholarships in Ugandan institutions of higher education.

Visions of Hope (VoH), directed by Dale and Sandy Russell in Bend, supports Otino Waa by joining its children and inmates of six Oregon correctional institutions. In its eighth year, VoH, a volunteer organization, collects and sells paintings, jewelry, crocheted hats, quilts and other items generously created by approximately 80 women and men inmates from correctional institutions statewide as a fund raiser for the village children. All sales of inmates’ art and other items solely benefit the children.

For Visions of Hope information contact Dale Russell at dale@visions-hope.org or 541-420-6611. Billye Turner, art consultant, curates the Franklin Crossing displays with info at billyeturner@bendnet.com or
503-780-2828.