I met Sakler Moo last week at the Refugee And Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE) in Albany, N.Y., and the first thing I heard about him from his teachers and friends and the staff at RISSE, was how gifted an artist he is. I am not a painter or trained artist but I was struck by the detail and feeling of the few drawings he had on hand to show me.

I was struck by his friends, who gathered around me to praise his art and tell me how talented he was. That is not always something young boys appreciate in other young boys. The kids at RISSE day care are close, they watch out for one another.

Today, I went to RISSE again, this time with Maria and Rachel Barlow, both artists.

Sakler’s teacher at RISSE,  Amjad Abdalla Muhammed (a/k/a Ali), took out his Iphone and showed us another drawing – this one of a wolf, below – that Sakler made recently. “He is so talented,” said Ali,” and he is the nicest boy, so courteous and helpful and appreciative.”

Rachel,  a professional artist and landscape painter whose works have grown increasingly popular in Vermont, was deeply impressed. “He is super talented,” she said.

So was Maria, who has an MFA in arts and is an accomplished artist herself. “He’s a natural,” she said, “you can’t really teach that skill, he just knows how to draw.” I sure think he is especially gifted.

We went to RISSE Monday to meet Rachel there, she raised $1,300 in recent weeks to purchase and assemble art kits for refugee children, we brought 80 of the kits to RISSE in bright orange bags. I am going back on Wednesday to visit the refugee kids again in their cozy  warrens above the Methodist Church below.

The kits were especially to promote creativity, ease stress and boost confidence. The refugee children have been through a lot.

Muhammed, a large, genial, enthusiastic man was born in the United States, but lived in Egypt until he was 17. He is connected to both cultures, he says, the American and the Middle Eastern. He is, as a good teacher would be, looking for every opportunity to encourage Sakler’s gifts. The kids there love him, and their affection is returned.

I am much impressed with Ali, I have always believed encouragement is the hallmark of the great teacher. I felt we became friends almost instantly, an unusual feeling for me, perhaps not for him. He cares deeply about the kids in his charge.

We all sat down and talked with Ali about how we might help Sakler, who came from Thailand,  in a bounded and thoughtful way. He would like to help enroll Sakler in an art class, we talked about books and support materials that might help in his drawing and art. We will talk more about it on Wednesday.

Sakler was one of those children America welcome. At RISSE, everyone thinks of those left behind or banned. The refugee children seem to know it could have been anyone of those left behind.

I am cautious, in this work and other therapy work, including the Mansion, about overstepping my bounds and invading the life of another person, I consider the space around person to be sacred.  I am not there to save people or play God with their lives.

But I also believed measured and informed support and encouragement can transform lives. I have always believed in the power of encouragement. It is one thing to wring out hands about beautiful babies in trouble, it is quite another to help them when they need help. We are a good and generous people, that is our soul and spirit.

I asked Ali what he needs to do his work.

Ali mentioned their need for uniforms for the RISSE soccer team, and also his unsuccessful struggles to take some of the boys to the Great Escape near Lake George, it costs about $50 per child, and he wants to bring 16 children. The park doesn’t offer discounts and he has not been able to raise the money.

He might need help for Sakler if he wants to take an art course or sign up for some special instruction. He has already taken him to an art program at the New York State Museum.

I said we should talk about those things and take them one at a time and see if there is any way to help. Ali is considering a special support page on the RISSE website especially for the refugee children.

Mostly, we all know what the refugees and immigrants most need right now is to be known and not feared or demonized for political gain. That is something that doesn’t cost money. I believe in doing good, not in arguing or dividing.

I’ll share this process as it unfolds. I want to do good, but do it in the right way. That means slow and careful. I think I can do some real good here, with your help, in a way that is bounded, inexpensive, and yet very powerful. Ali is doing heroic work, but he could sure use some help.

More later.  Below is Sakler’s wolf drawing. He is 13 years old.