It all starts with humble beginnings and for Victor this “Creative Journey with Purpose” was a way to go home to his beloved El Salvador and fulfill a personal dream and to work with his life long friend, Pastor Miguel Tomas Castro from Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel. This wonderful Church had a plan to refurbish an existing building and create a “Youth House”. What they needed was Victor; a creator, artist, musician, poet, actor/writer and an amazing teacher. Victor recruited a young musician, Sarah Johnston to venture on this trip to teach English and music. The youth and their families have worked very hard to freshen up the building. This photo journal takes us over a period of three months. Victor is back home in Ottawa now and because his journey had a purpose, it will continue with the help of everyone her at home to contribute and encourage these young people to enrich their lives with strong faith, to live in solidarity and to continue their journey in cultivating the arts and making it a productive part of the moulding of these young lives.
This is our invitation to follow the “A Creative Journey with Purpose“

Actividad Dia del Nino en Alegria
The first weekend was a trip back to Alegria to celebrate Actividad Dia del Nino en Alegria
The fun is just beginning…
Who invited these clowns to the party?
Pass the balloon

Special treats
The guys stick together
Victor wants to play too
The girl’s pinata
Victors initial visit to the Youth House in September when he arrived
Exterior of the building
Courtyard where great activities are yet to happen
Interior needing a facelift
Tired kitchen
Fixing, cleaning and painting by the youth and their families
Painting to prepare the canvas for a wonderful mural on the street front
Everyone takes a turn to hold the ladder
Exterior repairs
Team work
All work and no play..the girls will be unhappy
The masterpiece is underway

The mural is a masterpiece by the youth
Rev. Miguel Tomas Castro enjoying the pre-opening concert
Very handsome cheering section
When there is entertainment, let their be Victor
Pre-opening concert
Two old friends, Isaac and Victor were reunited. They started up where they left of (many years ago) and recruited some younger blood, practiced hard in their spare time and were much in demand providing music at Church functions, Cal-Pipil, private invitations, community activities and on Radio Cadena Mi Gente.
Here is “THE WHOLE TEAM”

Practice, every night and it all paid off
Opening Address
Ribbon cutting ceremony
Certificates of Recognition at the opening ceremonies
Art Classes

Art Classes
Close up to some art
Close up to some art

Close up at some art
Friends
Guitar Classes
Jamming Girls

Jamming Boys
Mr Composer
Keyboard Instruction
Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice, Practice, Practice
Drama

Handsome Mime

English Classes
Ping Pong
Convivio de Fin de Año Escuela Biblica Dominical Infantil
Celebrations at the end of Bible School
Victor entertaining at the Bible School party
We all fit in this small space
I realize how spoiled I am at home. I am homesick and miss my home cooked meals
So I am going to find me some Special Friends and go and have a feed of papusa. Ummmmmmm.

Bless this food!! Victor having papusa with his closest nieces and nephews of Cal-Pipil
WOW. Such happy looking children! Great work!