"I first got connected to the Jacaranda Foundation when Marie Da Silva came to my school and talked to me and a group of students about her foundation. That same year I had my Bar Mitzvah and wanted to donate a lot of the money that I received as gifts to them because her story really touched me. I was so happy to help the school she started which serves children orphaned by Aids in her small village in Malawi, Africa.

I asked Marie what else I could do to help. She suggested that I start pen palling with a young student named Blessings Goliyo. He lost both his parents to Aids but he has a positive outlook on life and feels lucky to attend the Jacaranda School. I wanted to send Blessings some gifts and we had also cleaned out our closets at home so I sent three big boxes of things for Blessings and the students. Unknown to me, Luc Deschamps, the head of the school, videotaped and photographed the kids receiving their clothes. He emailed us these pictures. I was amazed to see that these clothes, which we were giving away, were so special to these kids half way across the world. I realized that the world is full of so many different situations. My mom decided to organize an exhibition of these portraits to share this story with our community. Hope you can join us."

Sam Steinberger
Sam, at the Lost & Found Gallery in Los Angeles. Picture on top left features Blessings, Sam's pen pal, reading his letter in Malawi.
(below, a few of the pictures featured in the exhibition)
JACARANDA, A Photo Exhibit documenting an unexpected exchange between Sam, a 13 year old boy in Los Angeles and the Jacaranda School in Malawi, Africa.
April 12 - May 26
Lost & Found Gallery
6322 Yucca street
Hollywood
323.856.5872
(Directions)