20/11/2025
"A Brush with Kindness: A Story of Trust and Creativity"
In 2019, during the "Year of Return," a historic initiative that marked the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in the United States, I received a message on Facebook from a woman in the United States. She was reaching out to inquire about my services as a mural artist for a project at an orphanage in Ghana. I was more than happy to help, and I offered to waive my fee since it was for a good cause. The only thing I asked for was reimbursement for my transportation costs.
The woman was thrilled with my response, and we began making arrangements for the project. However, due to time constraints, they were unable to bring the necessary art supplies with them. Instead, they agreed to send me the money to purchase the supplies locally.
Things took a complicated turn when the tour guide they had hired in Ghana offered to send the money to my associate, Kofi, in Accra. However, when Kofi didn't receive the money, I began to suspect that something was amiss. A conference call with the tour guide revealed that he had claimed to send the money but couldn't provide any details about the transaction.
Fortunately, the woman was understanding and apologetic about the situation. She assured me that they would arrive soon and that we could proceed with the project. With the help of my friend Ahmed, we were able to complete the mural at the Trinity Home Foundation in Aburi.
The experience was not only a testament to the power of art to bring people together but also a reminder that trust and kindness can go a long way. Despite the initial setbacks, we were able to create something beautiful together, and I was grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the children at the orphanage.
As I reflected on the experience, I realized that the woman's willingness to trust me despite the warnings from her tour guide was a powerful reminder of the importance of taking risks and believing in others. It was a brush with kindness that I would never forget, and it was a fitting tribute to the spirit of the "Year of Return," which celebrated the resilience and unity of the African diaspora.
Ibrahim Botchway.
(Artist)
