This fall, Broken Wings Missions published Shine, written by Peter Eyvindson. The story portrays life on the streets of Port au Prince from the perspective of Didi, a shoeshine boy and Reginald, a one armed child beggar. The illustrations were completed by two young students from St. Joseph’s Community Art Center, which was connected to the now destroyed original home St. Joseph’s.
Soni's Mended Wings tells the story of Soni, a physically and mentally challenged child in Haiti spent years confined to his crib until one day some street children took over the operation of his orphanage. These teenagers offered Soni the same hope that they received from living in St. Joseph's Home, a mission designed to rescue boys from the harsh reality of the streets of Port au Prince, Haiti. Soni, now an adult, works as a caregiver at Wings of Hope.
These copies of Soni's Mended Wings and Shine have been signed by both illustrators -- a rare treat.
Walnes Cangas (above, left) joined the St. Joseph’s Family at the age of seven when his family could no longer provide for him. He now provides for his family with his art activities. At an early age, he showed interest and gifts in painting, dancing, drumming and singing. For the past three weeks, Walnes has stayed at the ruins of St. Joseph’s with the hopes of protecting it from looters.
Frandy Jean (above, right) had been painting on his own when, in 2006, Walnes invited him to study with well-known Haitian artist Ralph Allen at the St. Joseph’s Community Art Center. He describes painting as, "Vital to me, like oxygen for my mind." His watercolour portraits are incredibly well rendered with great attention to detail and real emotion. Frandy is discouraged since he lost all of his art in the earthquake.
Peter Eyvindson, founder of Broken Wings Missions and a Canadian children’s author, has dedicated the past twelve years of his life to bettering the lives of children in Haiti through support for St. Joseph’s Family of Homes. Soni’s Mended Wings, his first book dedicated to the well-being of children in Haiti, was first published in 1999. With 36,000 copies sold, a home for disabled children was built called Wings of Hope. Now in ruins, a new printing of Soni’s Mended Wings was published on Friday, January 22, 2010 in order for rebuilding to begin.
All proceeds from items sold on the To Haiti with Love auction go directly to the St. Joseph's Family in Haiti. To make a bid, simply leave a comment with the amount of your bid and your email address. The auction will wrap up on February 8, 2010, and winners will be contacted right away to arrange payment and shipping. Good luck!
A set of signed books (Soni's Mended Wings and Shine) signed by the Haitian illustrators Walnes Cangas and Frandy Jean. (origin: Canada)
Starting bid $20.00