Hanley Denning's legacy at Bowdoin began long before her tragic death in January. Camino Seguro, or Safe Passage, which was founded by Denning in 1999, has been a testament to Bowdoin's mission to serve the common good for almost two decades.
The organization, which works with poor, at-risk children of families working in the Guatemala City garbage dump, has received three volunteer groups of Bowdoin students since Denning's coordination of an Alternative Spring Break trip to the program's site in 2003. A number of Bowdoin students have made their way to Safe Passage independently.
Liz Lovell '07 spent 10 days during January working with elementary school children as a teaching assistant in an educational reinforcement program. As students in Guatemala City only attend school for half-day sessions, the program facilitates continued education for the remainder of the day and encourages an extended commitment to learning.
Touched by the program's impact on Guatemala City's children, Lovell was compelled to share her powerful experience with the Bowdoin community in an effort to promote awareness of Denning's program and the volunteer opportunities available.
The result: "Through My Eyes: Visions of Hope from 5th and 6th Graders at Safe Passage." On display in Lamarche Lounge, Lovell's exhibition features artwork done by students at Safe Passage.
"Though the trip was short, I saw the opportunity to bring something big back with me," Lovell said.
She had a vision that the Guatemalan students could share their appreciation for Bowdoin's involvement with Safe Passage, while being commended and rewarded for their enthusiasm for learning.
Lovell provided art supplies and asked students to create images showing what Safe Passage meant to them.
"The kids were extremely responsive and happy to work on the project," she said.
She plans to send them photographs of the exhibit and notes from members of the Bowdoin community to thank them for their work.
"The main goal of this art project was to create an exchange that would benefit the students at Safe Passage, as well as the community here at Bowdoin," she said. "I want the students from Safe Passage to see their work in a gallery setting and understand that people will listen to them and appreciate their commitment to education."
Lovell hopes that the exhibition will promote awareness and involvement among Bowdoin students.
The exhibit opened on Monday evening, with a speech by Professor of History Allen Wells, who specializes in Latin America Studies, about the history of Guatemala City and the community targeted by Safe Passage, as well as Denning's role in the development of the community.
Lovell was pleased with the opening. "The people who attended the opening were kind enough to write short notes to the artists, which I will send back to Safe Passage with pictures of the opening," she said. "I hope that people in the Bowdoin community have gained a new understanding of the organization and of Hanley's vision."
"I hope that Bowdoin students are moved enough by the stories they are hearing about Safe Passage to become involved," she continued. "Becoming involved means anything from volunteering in Guatemala to going on an ASB trip to simply spreading information about Safe Passage beyond Bowdoin. Hanley had an amazing vision and courageously took action to make it a reality. Now it's up to us to carry on her work in any way that we can."
Information regarding volunteer opportunities with Safe Passage is available at www.safepassage.org.