Thank you for visiting my blog, I hope that I can write as much as possible when I am in Kakuma, of course it depends on if I have reasonable access to the internet! Please also keep in contact with me GoFundMe. I wanted to share info that I gathered about where I am traveling. On Friday, Marti and I will be flying from Houston; to Minnesota (for fresh air); to Amsterdam; to Nairobi, Kenya. We will be staying in Nairobi a day or so before flying to Kakuma. From there instruct

Hello! Its been a busy few months since I started my job at FotoFest International as the Program Coordinator for Literacy Through Photography. I am excited to announce that my students as well as many other amazing LTP students will be displaying their work at FotoFinish 2016, our end of the year exhibition. Please join us on May 14th for the celebration reception! More info can be found here. I am a proud teacher and program leader! Hope to see you out supporting LTP. This

Hello! I'm thrilled to say that my talkback at the Landing Theatre in Houston was such a joy. Thank you to Troy Scheid and David Rainey for the opportunity to share my photographs and students stories. My exhibition will be on display at the theatre through May 13th. "Last night's talkback leader, Rebecca J. Hopp, was discussing her experience as an arts educator in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. (She has an exhibit of her photos and her students' photos in the Landing lobby.)

This weekend I was looking back on travels, grad school, and reflecting on my growth as an educator. Below is a excerpt reflection paper from May 2011. I smile because of the things I have learned, the lessons my students have taught me, the things I have already accomplished, the places I have yet to go, and the students that waiting to teach me even more! Maymester Lessons This Maymester two main topics have emerged that I have learned so much from, learning how artists i

Yesterday, was my last full day in the Kakuma Refugee Camp and it was packed full of adventure, visits, donations, and learning! Marti and I began our morning by visiting Madam Millicent at the Angelina Jolie Girls Boarding school. We shared with her the LTP curriculum, brought her a prayer flag for the school, and donated books to the girls for fun things to read. We hope that our LTP trained teachers will visit the school to do a project in the future. Next stop was visitin

Gofundme.com/ltpafrica Today was a day of celebrating! Both Marti and my LTP classes wrapped up today by combining classes we were able to have our students meet and discuss issues in Kakuma. It was wonderful to hear the adult students share their thoughts and perspectives, my students were still quite shy but I know they benefited from hearing and participating in the discussion. We talked about the negative aspects of their communities - sexual assault, lack of food, lack o

Gofundme.com/ltpafrica Its been a crazy few days of ups and downs. Friday, capped off our week. The students and reviewed our family discussions and began planning for self portraits. They were instructed to dress in their best and bring something precious or cultural with them to be photographed. We also practiced posing and how they wanted to stand/posture in the photo. On Monday, we photographed their portraits. We capped off the day by doing really fun shadow portraits. I

(side story I forgot to share) When I showed the students my dogs- Cookie and Monkey. The first thing they asked was, "what are those for?" Like I was going to eat them! Another person also questioned me that I was feeding them. Such a different perspective. I have also been asked if I had children, and shockingly I say no. One student explained to me that in his culture as soon as you marry you must have children. gofundme.com/ltpafrica Sawa Sawa. Ok ok. I love the mornings

Gofundme.com/ltpafrica Today I learned, well I already knew it, but now its confirmed- Kids are kids no matter what continent you are on! Yesterday, they were quiet, not so much today, well they were still quiet responding to questions! There was much more activity today! All the students that took cameras home took many great photos, mostly of their family and neighbors. I'm excited to dig in further. Today we focused our writings and talk on community. I learned a lot about

What. An. Amazing. Day! These kids are a dream and are helping me live my dream! I'm so so thrilled to be here I can't even put it into words. This morning after a crepe like breakfast we piled into a van, picked up students, and got to the school to set up. There were 14 students waiting for Trevor and I! We attempted to learn their names, photographed each one and got started with the Literacy Through Photography curriculum. The students are teenagers, the most well behaved

Woke up at 5am, packed and headed out of the hotel with a few slices of bread and butter. Our trip to the Wilson airport was short and the roads were quiet. We were able to check out bags, but not our boxes, they say they will ship them to us on Friday. Luckily, I packed my student cameras in my suitcase so I am hopefully set! We finally loaded the 1960s airplane, the beautiful flight attendant wearing a blue head scarf read the safety schpeal the propellers are spinning and

Marti and I began I journey in Houston, traveling to Minnesota where we met Trevor and continued on to Amsterdam. 8 hour flight, watch a few movies and slept! In Amsterdam, we had a short layover and picked up Josh. After some tiny poffertjes (mini dutch pancakes!), we were on our flight to Nairobi. After another 8 hours we arrived in AFRICA! Leaving the airport was truly a mini adventure as we have our suitcases and 5 large boxes full of photo and art supplies for our refuge