For February at Gafney Library

Here's a report from The Art Group's leader, Peter Abate about the February 2010 show at the Gafney Library on High Street in Sanbornville, New Hampshire:

Down at the Gafney Library in February we truly have something special going on. Our current exhibit of photographs by Berri Kramer of Maine, are a sample of her photographs she takes on her visits to South Africa helping to improve the lives of woman and children. She also works with children who have been orphaned due to AIDS, children who are running households with no parents. If you get a chance to visit the library this month you will be moved by the scenes she has captured and amazed at the work she does. On display are her book and related post cards. Berri also works with the Heartwood College of Art in Kennebunk. Pictured below is Berri holding her book followed by a brief description of her work related to this show. Please watch for the write up in the local papers.

There are few vehicles on the roads in Greytown, South Africa. Women carry wood and children haul water. There is silence and beauty that keeps you in the moment, but there is no escape from the hard reality of life in the third world.

I visit St. Mary’s Hospital every time I return to South Africa. In the palliative care ward I take photographs of loved ones and give them copies as soon as I’m able to get them printed. For many, it is the only photograph they will ever have to pass on to their families.

The women of Jabulani welcome me into their lives as if I have never been gone. I work in their sewing rooms and bake bread with them just to spend time in their presence. They are sisters in another world. Our language is in our eyes. Their strength and gracefulness have humble me everyday since I met them.

Kennebunk Portside Rotary partnered with Play Pumps of South Africa to bring water to three schools in Greytown. This was made possible with a matching grant from Rotary International. The students were so excited the day the bore holes were dug, they had to call school off for the rest of the day. These Pumps will serve over 2000 children and their families. The reliability of clean water is not only a huge health benefit, but allows girls to go to school, rather than fetch water all day. It is incredible to think that such a contribution could so dramatically change the way of life for so many people.