Open Hand Newsletter

12/17@7pm: Faces of Dignity Launch Party
Be sure to join us in launching our new book, Faces of Dignity, at Schuler Books & Music in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 17 at 7pm. Faces is a collection of photography, cultural stories, and lessons learned that takes a second look at people and places from around the world. The event is free and all are welcome. Check out the details on Schuler’s Facebook page or our website.

Children playing in Yemen, from Faces page 23.

OHS in the News
This month, Spark magazine from Calvin College published a profile of OHS and our work with Calvin professor Dr. Bert de Vries at the vibrant community of Umm el-Jimal, Jordan. Birzeit University has a review of the recent Enabling Local Voices conference in Palestine, where Open Hand’s Jeff DeKock and Paul Christians presented on cultural heritage and development. OHS is also heavily involved with nonprofit Healing Children of Conflict, which featured in a recent full page news article in the Grand Rapids Press. And stay tuned for upcoming coverage of Faces of Dignity and Open Hand in the Grand Rapids Press newspaper, by WYCE 88.1FM community radio station, and on WGVU public television channel.


Winter Update	www.openhandstudios.org
The Grave Errors Launch at the Panafrica Hotel in Nairobi. Kenya Peace Project Launched On December 3, the Hope for Kenya Forum—a collection of seven Kenyan and international NGOs—and Open Hand Studios launched the short documentary Grave Errors: Stories from the Post-Election Violence. The Forum is using the film, along with its companion peace-building manual called “Seek Peace,” across Kenya to build reconciliation over election violence in 2008 and promote peace as the potentially deadly 2012 elections draw nearer. Dignitaries and leaders from across East Africa attended the launch event and are bringing the peace-building materials home to their own communities. A mother and child in a refugee camp where Grave Errors was filmed. STS Donor Challenge Report: Success Our sincerest thanks to STS Transportation (Grand Rapids, MI) and all those who became monthly supporters during our November donor challenge: Due to your generous contributions Open Hand reached our fall fundraising goal. Year-End Giving Thinking about a year-end charitable donation? It’s been a year of growth at Open Hand Studios, but our projects are only made possible through a strong and diverse support network. As a 501c3 public charity, your gifts to OHS are fully tax-deductible—and as always, 100% of funds received support our critical work in Bolivia, Kenya, Jordan, and elsewhere. As we reflect on the year past and another in sight, we hope you’ll consider a gift to help indigenous communities protect their cultural heritage while meeting their own needs for development. Thanks for your support. Students at Berzeit University, where OHS presented their work in October.	Winter 2009 Newsletter In this issue: • Kenya Peace Project Launched • STS Donor Report • Faces of Dignity Launch • Year-end Giving • OHS in the News
	*12/17@7pm: Faces of Dignity* Launch Party** Be sure to join us in launching our new book, Faces of Dignity, at Schuler Books & Music in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 17 at 7pm. Faces is a collection of photography, cultural stories, and lessons learned that takes a second look at people and places from around the world. The event is free and all are welcome. Check out the details on Schuler’s Facebook page or our website. Children playing in Yemen, from Faces page 23. OHS in the News This month, Spark magazine from Calvin College published a profile of OHS and our work with Calvin professor Dr. Bert de Vries at the vibrant community of Umm el-Jimal, Jordan. Birzeit University has a review of the recent Enabling Local Voices conference in Palestine, where Open Hand’s Jeff DeKock and Paul Christians presented on cultural heritage and development. OHS is also heavily involved with nonprofit Healing Children of Conflict, which featured in a recent full page news article in the Grand Rapids Press. And stay tuned for upcoming coverage of Faces of Dignity and Open Hand in the Grand Rapids Press newspaper, by WYCE 88.1FM community radio station, and on WGVU public television channel.
	Mission Open Hand Studios is a Chicago based 501c3 nonprofit organization that partners with communities across the world, academics, and the international public to create hands-on museum exhibits and virtual media that nurture social justice. Our projects help developing communities independently protect, celebrate, and share their cultural heritage—while also challenging visitors to rethink their assumptions about others. Our partners generate sustainable economic value from these projects by directly reinvesting proceeds to meet pressing community needs such as food, clean water, and education. Learn more: www.openhandstudios.org
Children playing in a Kenyan refugee camp.
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