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The Orenda Tribe Supports The Shared Language of Art

Art projects provide such a great opportunity for our little ones to stretch their creative muscles, reflect on their world, and show us how the world looks through their eyes. Not all children, however, have access to even the simplest of materials to create their own “masterpieces”. The Orenda Tribe strives to change that for under-served communities around the world. 

Thanks to The Orenda Tribe for providing us these shirts as part of a campaign through Ethical Writers and Creatives.

We do a lot of little projects in our house; our boys are busy little bees. We don’t routinely take on the adult kind of “house project” that fills up weekends (we’re not very good at those). We do, however, try our hand at lots of little art projects with the boys during which they create loads of “perfect masterpieces” made of various supplies and materials from around the house.

Sometimes they have a special vision that requires a trip to the craft store, but for most of the projects, we make do with what we have available at the house. We have lots of crayons and markers, a pile of cardstock and printer paper, and we always keep a stash of cardboard at the ready.

Particularly on mornings when both boys are home with me, we dive into all sorts of creative messes. Recently, the boys spent a morning making paper crafts, building with all sorts of LEGO bricks, and piecing together a small alligator foam project they received as a gift from their aunt.

Art Lets Us See Through Their Eyes

Art and building projects provide such a great opportunity for our little guys to stretch their creative muscles, reflect on their world, and show us how life looks through their eyes. What the boys create is an indication of the ideas percolating in their little heads and almost always a reflection of people, places and things they’re seeing in their own world.

Their busy bee projects also give us something fun to discuss and provide great context for meaningful time we spend together (not to mention it keeps them away from the television and tablets).

Not All Children Have Access to Creative Materials

Our family is fortunate to have an abundance of materials and opportunities to be Makers and explore creative expression. We have more than enough markers and paper to draw for days. My boys claim we have more LEGOs than LEGOLand. They haven’t proven it, but that they believe it offers a glimpse into the number of little bricks and plates floating around our house.

Not all families, however, have such luxuries.

The Orenda Tribe Hopes To Change This

The Orenda Tribe is a lifestyle company with a mission to support and empower less fortunate communities through art. Orenda is a mystical force present in all people that empowers them to affect the world or to effect change in their own lives. As their name suggests, The Orenda Tribe believes that we can all make a difference in the lives of others through our actions and by finding our own Orenda.

The organization aims to use art to foster creativity and confidence as well as help build communication and problem-solving skills for children and families in the communities they serve. They offer Giving Art Workshops as a means for teaching life skills.

Like art from my boys gives me a window into their minds, art can be a shared language for people all over the world. The Orenda Tribe strives to help children use their art as a means of shared communication with those around them.

Sharing Art Beyond Borders

The Orenda Tribe celebrates artistic creations of the children in each of their communities, but they also share certain pieces with the world. The organization chooses a few of their favorite children’s art pieces and prints them on organic cotton shirts, the proceeds from which are used to support their art programs at refugee camps and in less fortunate communities around the world. I can only imagine how great it must feel for a young child to have their piece chosen to be shared on shirts with fans and supporters around the world.

They have a whole collection of shirts for kids and adults, including these adorable bumblebee shirts the boys and I are wearing. The shirts are very soft and great quality. They do run quite small, so be sure to size up. I typically wear a small or medium. I opted for a large this time and wouldn’t go any smaller.

To date, The Orenda Tribe has reached over 2,000 children in 6 different communities around the globe. There are so many more children who could benefit from more access and opportunities to explore the world of art, so be sure to stop by and check out their t-shirt collection. You won’t be disappointed, and you’ll be supporting young children in need.

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2 Comments

  1. I really love this. I was raised by a family of artists on my mom’s side and spent my entire childhood crafting/drawing/painting. What a wonderful organization, and what lucky kids you have to have such a thoughtful and socially engaged mom.

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