Artist: Carl Heins Desroches

Inspiration: This piece is inspired by the work that Gèrye Jwa/Life is Good Playmakers Ayiti is doing in the country. I see them as a superhero who carries the country and accompanies children from generation to generation towards a brighter future. As you can see, the shape on the superhero's back is Haiti that he pulls out of a darker, more deserted place to lead it, along with the kids, to a lighter and greener place. For me, this is what the work of Gèrye Jwa/Life is Good Playmakers Ayiti is accomplishing in Haiti.

Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the landscape of life and meaning of optimism was forever changed for Haitians. But the Haitian people carry an undeniable resilience that's a deep part of their history and character.

Life is Good Playmakers, trained to spread the power of optimism to children who need it most, formed a Playmaker Program in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to help ensure high-quality childcare even under the most difficult of circumstances. Ten years later, Playmakers in Haiti are known as Gerye Jwa - which directly translated means Joy Warriors, and that's exactly what they are.

Regardless of what life throws at Haiti, Gerye Jwa always remembers the simple ways we can shift our mindset and refocus our energy. Every day they work with the children to find and nurture and spread that light.

A group of these Playmakers brought community members and artists together to create over 30 pieces of artwork to donate to the 7th Annual Art of Optimism Virtual Exhibition and Auction so together, we can continue our mission to help kids heal both in Haiti and in the US.

• Dimensions: 18" x 24"
• Medium: Electronic art printed on Canvas

This item may be shipped to any US destination at an added cost TBD.