MANCHESTER’S GIFTED EX HOMELESS MAN HELPS
MEXICO’S DEPRIVED CHILDEN
When ex homeless Graham Hudson from Manchester, 48, was offered the chance to take his artistic skills to Mexico and teach deprived children, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Thanks to the continued support provided by Manchester based charity for the homeless, The Mustard Tree, Graham was given the chance to spend two weeks driving around Mexico especially in poverty stricken Armonia Mexico teaching art classes to children aged between four and 15.
Armonia was founded in 1897 in one of the poorest communities in Mexico City, the Jalapa ravine, a violent and impoverished neighbourhood to the west of the city. Armonia now has three community centres in urban and suburban settings, as well as working with native students in the mountains of the Sierra Norte in the south of the country.
Graham said: “There are over 100 people involved in the Armonia project and I was delighted to be a part of it. The purpose of my trip was to help the children express themselves freely through art. I was one of 17 artists from Manchester that went to Mexico and it was an incredible experience seeing how the use of vibrant colours bought so much joy into the lives of these children. There was a real sense of community spirit.
“I primarily funded the trip myself by selling my works of art and it has been a life changing experience for me. Previously I had considered myself as a bit of an amateur but my travel to Mexico has given me the confidence to take my art more seriously. The personal satisfaction I got from being able to help Armonia’s deprived children has inspired me to continue teaching and I am planning another trip there next year.”
Graham was introduced to The Mustard Tree when he became homeless himself in 2008. The charity has since helped him rebuild his life and provides ongoing support.
Paul Wenham, CEO at The Mustard Tree, commented: “Graham is extremely talented and we knew by giving him this opportunity to help others would give him extra confidence to believe in his already successful art. Graham is also heavily involved in teaching art classes to marginalised people at our premises in Ancoats, Manchester.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
The Mustard Tree celebrated its 15th year in 2009 and continues to help homeless and marginalised people of Manchester, providing food, clothing, furniture, training and friendship with the help of donations and volunteers.
Graham’s work can be viewed at The Mustard Tree premises in Ancoats, Manchester, or see the website for more details: http://www.mustardtree.co.uk.
The Mustard Tree is a registered charity no 1044349.
For more details see http://www.mustardtree.co.uk or email nada@nadapr.com.
Become a regular donator to The Mustard Tree. Just £10 feeds a homeless person for a week. To donate money, visit http://www.mustardtree.co.uk, or call 0161 228 7331.