Cry For Africa
A large-scale mural with a purpose — raising awareness and support for the needs of Africa's poor, widows, and orphans. Painted on the All-Trans Transmission building, Abbotsford, BC.
(across from Sevenoaks Mall)
Doug Cariou & Steve Stanczyk
What Cry For Africa Depicts
The mural depicts the true story of a girl who traveled to Canada from Sudan in Africa. She had no money and no clear means of getting here, yet she believed she was destined to come. She left on foot from her home in Sudan and eventually, through remarkable and very testing circumstances, made it to Canada — where she lives today.
She is shown wearing a traditional African bridal dress, representing the church in Africa. She looks confidently forward, representing the strength, dignity, and determination of the African people and culture. Tears are forming in her eyes — her cry for Africa.
She is knocking on a door bearing the maple leaf — the church of Canada — seeking help for the needs of the poor, the widows, and the orphans of Africa.
The image of the people walking in the mural is based on a photograph by Stephanie Mallen, rendered through photography, conte drawing, and digital art. Art poster prints and canvas prints of this image hang in private residences, businesses, offices, ministries, and churches.
At the centre of the mural is text from Scripture — the call that underpins the entire work:
“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need… Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto… Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
Deuteronomy 15:7–11
Art with a purpose beyond the wall
Cry For Africa was never only a mural. It was a declaration — that art can be a witness, a voice for those who have none, and an invitation to the church to open its hand. If you would like to support initiatives connected to this work, or commission a mural with a similar charitable dimension, Doug would be glad to speak with you.