Student Hopes Art Exhibition Will Inspire Support for Health and Education Efforts in Kenya
by Kristen Scott, '05

For Meredith senior Rachel Souza, a recent 18-day mission trip to Kenya was one of the "most eye opening experiences" of her life.

Souza traveled to Kenya with Commit Ministries, a missionary group that built a small clinic in an area of Africa called Gunda Nina the year before, where she and seven other Americans worked in the clinic.

"It blew my world view wide open," Souza said. "In five days we treated 521 people, 312 of whom were HIV positive."

After returning from her trip, Souza wanted others to witness what she saw, with the hope of inspiring support for education and health initiatives aimed at helping the people of Kenya.

"…An art exhibition just seemed like the perfect way to share my experience and spread the word of the need for medication and help in that area," Souza said.

A studio art major concentrating in ceramics, sculpture and photography, Souza used her talents to create "Negative," an exhibition of over 20 framed and matted pictures along the halls and a handmade portfolio of over 60 pictures.
"Negative" will be on display in Meredith's Science and Mathematics Building Gallery through November 27.

Souza hopes the portraits in her exhibit will allow people to "look into the children's eyes and know many of them have died since I've been there [and]…to be moved by that and know they can help."

"I would like [for] people to view my pictures and feel connected to the people of Kenya," Souza said. "I have begun to cut down on wasteful spending in order to sponsor a student in Kenya. I hope that my exhibition will help others to join in on my efforts."

Nutshell Notes

• Meredith College hosted a Fall Counselor Workshop sponsored by the College Board on September 14. A group of 224 guidance counselors from high schools across North Carolina attended to learn about the new SAT and programs offered by College Board.

• Tony Bledsoe, associate professor of business, has written an article titled "Family Business/Entrepreneurial Studies: A Small Private Liberal Arts College Approach," which has been accepted for publication in "The Journal of College Teaching and Learning."

• The Meredith College Choirs, under the direction of Lisa Fredenburgh joined by the Capital City Girls Choirs Cantabile Singers under the direction of Fran Page, will be giving their Fall Concert on Monday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Chapel. Admission is free for the concert, which will feature music from all over the world including Bulgaria, Canada, Norway and the U.S.A.

• The flu vaccine will be available free of charge to all Meredith faculty and staff. Vaccinations will be given in Carroll Health Center on October 27 and 28 from noon until 6 p.m. For more information, call ext 8535.

• The Office of Study Abroad and the International Studies Committee will hold "World Fest: Celebrating International Meredith," from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 18. The event will honor international students, staff and faculty, who hail from 50 countries. Festivities include a picnic in the courtyard, international fare, and the band Color Latino. The cost of the picnic is $2 per person.

Newsletter Staff
Editor - Melyssa Allen
Contributing Writer - Emily Gupton
Web Designer - David Timberlake
Photographer - David Timberlake
Production Assistant - Kaye Rains
Interns – Kristen Scott, '05, Kelly Jones, '05 and Allison Ladd, '05

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