History and Philosophy

What is the Memory Project?
What is the purpose of the project?
How did the project start?

The Memory Project was developed by Ben Schumaker, from Madison, Wisconsin. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Ben worked as a volunteer for one month at an orphanage in Guatemala. Having traveled there hoping to make a difference, Ben quickly felt helpless by the situation, realizing how significant the challenges truly were. Then, one day, a young Guatemalan man stopped by the orphanage. He introduced himself as someone who had grown up in a different orphanage years earlier. He explained that he did not have any personal belongings from his youth: no photographs, no keepsakes, and no parents to help him look back on his own development. His advice was simple: try to help the kids collect special items that will contribute to their sense of identity and personal self-worth. 
           
This man, whose name was not even recorded that day, is the true founder of the Memory Project. Ben was struck by his message, and thought about it frequently after returning to Wisconsin. It was not until nine months later, while thinking of Guatemala, that Ben began to envision portraiture as a powerful method of honoring the immeasurable worth of children in orphanages. Moreover, having the portraits made by high school art students would be a way to connect American youth with kids from other countries in a meaningful exchange of friendship. The Memory Project was born shortly afterwards, in the fall of 2004, thanks to a group of 15 high school art teachers who responded to Ben’s invitation to become involved. As more art teachers continued to show interest, more orphanages were contacted, and the project has grown continuously ever since. 

How many art students are involved?
Who are the children that receive portraits?
How many portraits does each child receive?
How do the kids react to the portraits?
Do the kids also get to make something for the art students?
How do we get involved?