Posted on 12/31/2008 11:35:09 AM PST by Stoat
Ghanaian orphan ... Paul Apowida
Ghanaian Paul Apowida was sent to a boarding school and later college by UK charity Afrikids. He had been brought up in an orphanage after being rescued by a nun when his stepmum tried to poison him.
Now rifleman Paul, 23, has joined the 1st Infantry Training Battalion in Catterick, North Yorks, to pay the debt he feels he owes. The talented artist, who recently sold works for £30,000 and gave the cash to Afrikids, said: “I want to say ‘thank you’ to the country that gave me life.
“It is my proudest moment to say I’m part of the British military. My girlfriend in Ghana understands why I want to do it.”
For info on the charity, go to afrikids.org.
| Resident Artist - Paul Apowida |
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Paul in the Gallery, May 2005
Paul Teaching African Art in Oxford School, May 2005
Paul Painting In Tower 42, London, May 2005
"I wish to achieve my greatest dream, that is to help people like myself, who have to go through the trauma of neglect by families because of traditional beliefs and superstition and to sensitise them on certain facts of life which may be linked to a child birth."
Paul Apowida
AfriKids Gallery Resident Artist
Excellent! Thanks for posting.
An inspiring story indeed, my best hopes for Paul and his efforts.
But as for his art, Meh, totally derivative. Just the sort of stuff you see in any framing shop.
You're quite welcome, and I'm delighted that you've found it to be worthwhile :-)
A great story. Perhaps there is hope for the future world.
Agreed. His heart seems to be in the right place and he may make an excellent soldier and a tremendous asset to the Armed Forces.
Perhaps there is hope for the future world.
I hope so as well, but although stories like this are indeed great to hear, they naturally remind us of how rare such stories are, which is disheartening. When you consider the billions of people all over the world who have had their lives dramatically improved as a direct result of Western religious aid agencies as well as from the Governments of both Great Britain as well as the United States, one might hope for just a tad bit more gratitude from the recipients than what we typically hear about. How many American 'inner city' kids who were raised on welfare do you hear about who are so filled with gratitude to America and the American taxpayer who provided everything for them and their families that they are filled with such a profound patriotic pride and love of country that they want to enlist in the military or do other honorable work that benefits the nation or to at least make the most simple gesture of their gratitude? Not many, which is why stories like this stand out. One key factor is that Mr. Apowida is from Ghana and has not, from outward appearances, been subjected to the typical indoctrination of the Left which tells people that they are owed such assistance and need not feel or express any sense of gratitude. His honor and integrity appear to be intact and have not been destroyed by the cancers of Socialism.
A nice read. Happy New Year.
I'm delighted that you liked it :-)
Happy New Year to you and yours as well :-)
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