tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32131922262221848592024-03-21T19:53:30.290-07:00Precious LittleAn exhibition and sale of drawings by African schoolkids, for the sole benefit of the schools involved. Opening night May 8 at Gallery Forty-Four in Sydney.Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-32570341932230941882008-09-10T19:06:00.000-07:002008-09-10T19:51:02.916-07:00Happy Cows at MangambaThe money Precious Little made has been put to good use at Mangamba School in Tanzania by helping to buy and take care of these two fine beasts.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqeBNma3Ys0ibqqwpFNQvv2ntx9Fr-00YBEulvF_slTr7H-rsdHslfXyR0zolAA3Lid5IsZ81i6gPKEOdnkiYn3fNqd2L5Z17rLr1ndn0uY7_E4ynelf1zTKA2KyBSBsrkrDxaKH_AY33/s1600-h/cows-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqeBNma3Ys0ibqqwpFNQvv2ntx9Fr-00YBEulvF_slTr7H-rsdHslfXyR0zolAA3Lid5IsZ81i6gPKEOdnkiYn3fNqd2L5Z17rLr1ndn0uY7_E4ynelf1zTKA2KyBSBsrkrDxaKH_AY33/s400/cows-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244581571028887266" /></a><br />'Angry' and 'Noisy' will provide milk for the kids' breakfasts, enabling them to concentrate on their studies better. Giving kids meals also encourages parents to send their children to school.<br /><br />There are rumoured to be lions in the vicinity of the school, so they've built this little hut to protect the cows. Not sure who is protecting the kids from the lions, but hey...Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-17632483973854842262008-07-01T17:29:00.000-07:002008-07-01T17:35:56.383-07:00Updates on the Impact of Precious LittleA couple of updates on the use of the money gained from the exhibition.<br /><br />In Kenya, Tipape Loomu, the principal of the Maasai school, says they have 53 new kids at his school and they plan to build new infrastructure to house them. A new classroom is one of the first things on the agenda.<br /><br />At Breakfast Club in Mangamba,Tanzania, Romy Campbell says they're grateful for the assistance from Precious Little. They recently bought some cows to make the Breakfast program self sustaining.<br /><br />Romy says: "I went to Masasi a couple of weeks ago to buy the cows: Makelele (noise) and Hasira (anger) although both have calmed down now they are being well fed. The money will certainly be used on (all) the extra costs associated with looking after cows." <br /><br />Cheers and I hope everyone is enjoying their kids' drawings<br /><br />Nick and LeoniePrecious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-79600009123010191372008-05-19T16:02:00.000-07:002008-05-19T16:12:19.085-07:00Thanks for making Precious Little a successThis post is to thank to everyone who came out and supported our little project.<br /><br />We're still tallying up how much we raised, but it was far above our expectations. In the next couple of weeks, once we get all the promised money in, we'll be sending a substantial sum to benefit the three schools.<br /><br />You can check out more about the places that will benefit from your donations by visiting the sites below:<br /><br />http://www.adeaafrica.org/Maasai_School.html<br /><br />http://maasaischools.blogspot.com/<br /><br />http://www.breakfast-club.org.uk/html/about.html<br /><br />We're over the moon with how the event turned out, and we couldn't have done it without enthusiastic support from folks like you.<br /><br />Stay tuned for more updates.<br /><br /><br />NickPrecious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-7615864246114318122008-05-09T15:14:00.000-07:002008-12-09T00:16:05.009-08:00Last chance to see Precious Little<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ7YxLPPQogph6ofRoAERGhK4yyWzzPX9A1xNXp1_gnxQLmpAfR3_IjzvIMn8sJPZIRKnMg_7CsiEhY3ctq9kBGjEDwYkAroxkoCEBCw8kYnQK2i117rhaLD5TOoG17ix84v4ortx7opP/s1600-h/CROPPED.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ7YxLPPQogph6ofRoAERGhK4yyWzzPX9A1xNXp1_gnxQLmpAfR3_IjzvIMn8sJPZIRKnMg_7CsiEhY3ctq9kBGjEDwYkAroxkoCEBCw8kYnQK2i117rhaLD5TOoG17ix84v4ortx7opP/s400/CROPPED.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198511932680659154" /></a>As you can see, the Thursday's Precious Little opening night was a massive success. <br /><br />But there is still a chance today - Saturday May 10 - to pick up your own little piece of Africa.<br /><br />We'll have the the gallery open from 10am until 4pm. So come in and have a chat.<br /><br />Read all about the project by scrolling down posts below.<br /><br />Cheers!<br />NickPrecious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-35032871638419220862008-05-04T14:22:00.000-07:002008-12-09T00:16:05.220-08:00Precious Little on this Thursday night!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pcARRAOp-1uR3Rz6hPhU-sDv40_kr3XipRygWrT1hsSKBOY1igWr3pLW4PKlOap2u2Z5XgGNOaT-OSbjBvruAxzTpb3cyPHd-DJ0V9YCUpKzviwsGgGQVM6tRuqM_bFl244zXSXR2g0S/s1600-h/DSC_0023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pcARRAOp-1uR3Rz6hPhU-sDv40_kr3XipRygWrT1hsSKBOY1igWr3pLW4PKlOap2u2Z5XgGNOaT-OSbjBvruAxzTpb3cyPHd-DJ0V9YCUpKzviwsGgGQVM6tRuqM_bFl244zXSXR2g0S/s400/DSC_0023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196639961757557442" /></a><br />Spent all Sunday hanging our Precious Little drawings. I've got a sore thumb where I banged it with a hammer, but by the end of the day, we'd filled pretty much every space of white wall.<br /><br />Now all we need to make a real art gallery exhibition are lots of appreciative art lovers. That's where you come in.<br /><br />Thursday night is shaping up to be a heck of an event . We had the Sun Herald run a piece on Precious Little on Sunday. We have drinks supplied by the Clock Hotel and Hahn Super Dry. And we've had friends of all shapes and sizes helping out to make the gallery look amazing.<br /><br />Bring your friends, bring some cash, and prepare to be transported to Africa for the night - this Thursday from 6.30pm at Gallery Fourty Four <br /><br />It's at: 44 Little Oxford St, Darlinghurst. Turn left into the alley off Crown as you pass the Gaslight Inn.<br /><br />Read all about the colouful history of this project and the journey by scrolling down through the posts.<br /><br />See you Thursday (or Friday, or Saturday).<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Nick<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMoSATSQq1uMEqGbw6qUkdnEtdoAznvkw-t4JPbKPwcFvI0JCsxRB85Y7TkOS2qL99ZKKyKjwMoBgPVYO5G0rpw96oIZBBV8jqvmMV1MSnSBP1W1zuhTsYOTx2Lb5-vp2s2FzY96JeW3R/s1600-h/Precious+Little+Invite.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMoSATSQq1uMEqGbw6qUkdnEtdoAznvkw-t4JPbKPwcFvI0JCsxRB85Y7TkOS2qL99ZKKyKjwMoBgPVYO5G0rpw96oIZBBV8jqvmMV1MSnSBP1W1zuhTsYOTx2Lb5-vp2s2FzY96JeW3R/s400/Precious+Little+Invite.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196645296106939090" /></a>Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-72893235089639204892008-03-23T23:23:00.000-07:002008-12-09T00:16:05.460-08:00Precious Little to launch May 8Precious Little will happen on Thursday, May 8 at Gallery Fourty-Four. It's at 44 Little Oxford Street and the door looks like this.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi7vHAXc7ZJZchC9o23CiMa-M2bfV-Tu0gWLoI9MrATZPMoBiEA2HitHDUv0h9d6cH7l6CYZNSbTzRGTBTBB8955-n-WZ_fO2qvB-Z8YSeDMIJiLIF83pIgBbyGSkctDV4SuRh91sNcbA/s1600-h/DSC_0011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi7vHAXc7ZJZchC9o23CiMa-M2bfV-Tu0gWLoI9MrATZPMoBiEA2HitHDUv0h9d6cH7l6CYZNSbTzRGTBTBB8955-n-WZ_fO2qvB-Z8YSeDMIJiLIF83pIgBbyGSkctDV4SuRh91sNcbA/s400/DSC_0011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181197217448772690" /></a><br />Gallery Fourty-Four's website: http://www.fourtyfour.org<br /><br />The opening night will be supported by our friends at Frankie Magazine. Look for the story on Precious Little in their May edition, coming out April 24. www.frankie.com.au<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCi4rb_kiFFYk5RpawSj4Xsnu-TR3QyJMHaobmYrM9yWDX71YaYFEaCBVKOlSDpoaPvcu4HT-9vSspi1JF7izmcDXUK2PwZum6Ke3pLHqfmFLq9aCawWqwbZTux-eqncfHEakoDcQpKxqR/s1600-h/frankie_logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCi4rb_kiFFYk5RpawSj4Xsnu-TR3QyJMHaobmYrM9yWDX71YaYFEaCBVKOlSDpoaPvcu4HT-9vSspi1JF7izmcDXUK2PwZum6Ke3pLHqfmFLq9aCawWqwbZTux-eqncfHEakoDcQpKxqR/s400/frankie_logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181200159501370466" /></a>We'll start the exhibition at 6.30pm, and we'll have the gallery open on the night of Friday May 9 and Saturday May 10 as well. But best to get there Thursday night, 'cause that's when you'll have a chance to buy the best stuff. <br /><br />Bang it in your diary now, and start putting aside a few bucks to take home a small piece of Africa. The proceeds of every artwork and photograph sold will go to the schools involved in the project: Lo'mongo Masaai School, Kenya; Mangamba Primary, Tanzania; and Koelenhof Primary, South Africa.<br /><br />Where's Little Oxford St? <br /><br />It's a little laneway off Crown St, just next to the Gaslight Inn.<br /><br />Updates on sponsors and a sneak preview of some of the artworks... coming soon!Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-48644750448113648532008-01-29T17:39:00.000-08:002008-12-09T00:16:05.535-08:00Precious Little team returns to Australia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEto4w9RA6vFwIYqvwZLGfQABcdcUlUpM7RORWysooTgoNLdGx0z9dCtDMYXp_XlmtMKgcE64msJ57QMFZ5GFbRoG0fgqphOiuKf_ec06rc27un1VNqZizriMbFNO-G6uyI7qBMIK4Z-u/s1600-h/DSC_0014.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEto4w9RA6vFwIYqvwZLGfQABcdcUlUpM7RORWysooTgoNLdGx0z9dCtDMYXp_XlmtMKgcE64msJ57QMFZ5GFbRoG0fgqphOiuKf_ec06rc27un1VNqZizriMbFNO-G6uyI7qBMIK4Z-u/s400/DSC_0014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161079541273957346" /></a><br />As the title suggests, we're back home in Sydney... <br /><br />It's a little disorientating to be back in the glitz of Tamarama after three months in Africa, but we've brought a little of that continent back with us (in the form of drawings and photos like the one above).<br /><br />We're both back into working our respective jobs. Leonie cuts TV commercials and other films and I write for TV shows. While we were in Tanzania, we also made a pilot for a TV show, so we didn't laze about as much as you should on holiday. Shame.<br /><br />Next step for us is to find a suitable gallery for the Precious Little exhibition - around April - and to seek someone who can help us with framing. We estimate we'll have around 70 drawings to be sold on the night, as well as some stunning photographs and even some Masaai jewellery. <br /><br />In the spirit of the cheerful schools we visited, we plan the show as a happy night with an African flavour, not a dour evening where you're motivated to contribute by feeling guilt or pity. Africa isn't a dark, depressing place... it's colourful and vibrant... and that's just what we want our event to be.<br /><br />We welcome any suggestions and offers of assistance - especially from those who have skills in framing : )<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />NickPrecious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-26225470983657502812007-12-08T06:13:00.000-08:002008-12-09T00:16:06.059-08:00Koelenhof Primary, WC, South AfricaPrecious Little racked up its third school at the end of November, and I've just a got a few minutes to update the blog with a few pics and some basic info. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_PzqBaysu25Fj91uMGwd_6gL_Zq4wGCJ1Bcq0-HRp0TY8Nxi4xsRj58NKxyw486uwHs2c-hdZcYnsLjbiyWxpeXQ2LqZJ-wl7oFktL7zUCiJkoeFIQyC6PV4jFF-MXrLgwFG9GB2V3wk/s1600-h/DSC_0071.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_PzqBaysu25Fj91uMGwd_6gL_Zq4wGCJ1Bcq0-HRp0TY8Nxi4xsRj58NKxyw486uwHs2c-hdZcYnsLjbiyWxpeXQ2LqZJ-wl7oFktL7zUCiJkoeFIQyC6PV4jFF-MXrLgwFG9GB2V3wk/s400/DSC_0071.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141606068197622722" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPtJUmG71PirYoA7fPo_zQ9EXYVI_-rGxC26VfFmbkfOcD78Ene199o-5tCUvsIQKLoiuOG1dcuUfg4ijzMG8PmVL6Orn7cX8BwkwiNVlK1VhUuffaGZ4x-tntJvBdHoF-eiQS-bzIJwO/s1600-h/DSC_0018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPtJUmG71PirYoA7fPo_zQ9EXYVI_-rGxC26VfFmbkfOcD78Ene199o-5tCUvsIQKLoiuOG1dcuUfg4ijzMG8PmVL6Orn7cX8BwkwiNVlK1VhUuffaGZ4x-tntJvBdHoF-eiQS-bzIJwO/s400/DSC_0018.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141606592183632866" /></a><br /><br />The school is near Paarl, in the Western Cape of South Africa and is attended mostly by Kleurling and Xhosa kids. The surrounding region is famous for its stupendous scenery and its even more stupendous wines. Most of the kids' parents are farm labourers on the nearby vineyards and farms.<br /><br />The kids were a delight - especially for Leonie because they spoke Afrikaans! Not so easy for me to communicate, however, as my Afrikaans vocabulary mostly consists of animal names and swear words.<br /><br />Thanks to Este Mellet and Mr Manders for helping to set this visit up.<br /><br />Will post more later on this school - gotta dash now.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGoy5PWgPRwxEsFW7l3NTMeoLYNR9pe4xl3PEdE-0-ZPblaNUjIy-O3OAKYa9FrU_YQYTWXhq3MqlTidE5WfqGAo_b5rjDsmW03HuX_StDinWqmI7b5i32j6458vkpQ_AI4r973pA8ny0/s1600-h/DSC_0049.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGoy5PWgPRwxEsFW7l3NTMeoLYNR9pe4xl3PEdE-0-ZPblaNUjIy-O3OAKYa9FrU_YQYTWXhq3MqlTidE5WfqGAo_b5rjDsmW03HuX_StDinWqmI7b5i32j6458vkpQ_AI4r973pA8ny0/s400/DSC_0049.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141606776867226610" /></a><br /><br /><br />Love<br /><br />Nick and Leonie (nr Mussel Bay, South Africa)Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-61825195414246320642007-12-08T05:23:00.000-08:002008-12-09T00:16:06.669-08:00Lomongo Masaai School, Kenya<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExzSmY5uIv7VNPsxeGvNvdDFKU82DGidM16-ZhWHcAcP8nny6c0MsyFYVFuvMH8egkfKaU8I_QRPw6sXuTsbhubA2UziCH4RkATqB1Wz54sriHisK2SqHs84qZCssm28MIEXZ6NWzsu_G/s1600-h/DSC_0086.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExzSmY5uIv7VNPsxeGvNvdDFKU82DGidM16-ZhWHcAcP8nny6c0MsyFYVFuvMH8egkfKaU8I_QRPw6sXuTsbhubA2UziCH4RkATqB1Wz54sriHisK2SqHs84qZCssm28MIEXZ6NWzsu_G/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141603620066263986" /></a><br />The second Precious Little school is set in true storybook Africa. If you want to gaze at Kilimanjaro at sunrise, stay in a mud hut and listen to elephants trumpeting in the night, or take a walk through the thorntrees with a noble, spear-wielding warrior, Lomongo is the place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmR3acYDW6Nw7iVIYwbMcgL7kcl_qLaVnzB8dDyrl7wOn9K6QU5dCdIi2WzILzLTGCMBwkRtX0ZzV95GgX3TSXHYg3cys0cqr0AI2VJHNKmkBVDmS0Jsq3iET66v0HkikuZ7JrxrkpMFg/s1600-h/DSC_0044.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmR3acYDW6Nw7iVIYwbMcgL7kcl_qLaVnzB8dDyrl7wOn9K6QU5dCdIi2WzILzLTGCMBwkRtX0ZzV95GgX3TSXHYg3cys0cqr0AI2VJHNKmkBVDmS0Jsq3iET66v0HkikuZ7JrxrkpMFg/s400/DSC_0044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141603104670188434" /></a><br /><br />First, a bit about the Masaai...<br /><br />By nature, the Masaai are nomadic herders. For at least the last couple of hundred years, they've been grazing and breeding cattle in the region of the southern Rift Valley, moving on to greener pastures (literally) whenever necessary.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUltIdFKhYL6ZoYF0yejEbfCuier-cOvOSouUlt09Z9X2ytyGFsYEiCHPQChDMb2yWWiM1D8utzomp3e6g0u3_wzqS-_UD3P_opk9OavvLlmUxuPbHdyXVv4lhzPScLRKtASJSSRPjhrca/s1600-h/DSC_0054.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUltIdFKhYL6ZoYF0yejEbfCuier-cOvOSouUlt09Z9X2ytyGFsYEiCHPQChDMb2yWWiM1D8utzomp3e6g0u3_wzqS-_UD3P_opk9OavvLlmUxuPbHdyXVv4lhzPScLRKtASJSSRPjhrca/s400/DSC_0054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141602958641300354" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />But the Masaai in the region of Kilimanjaro are no longer free to roam where they like. Hemmed in on all sides by national parks to which they are forbidden entry, many Masaai have been forced to put their nomadic lifestyle behind them. They've made more-or-less permanent farming settlements, growing beans and cassava. Lomongo is one of these.<br /><br />Lomongo is really just a sparse collection of mud huts, united by footpaths and rutted roads. If the crops fail or the cows die - and increasingly, they do - the people don't eat. For the first time, the Masaai are beginning to understand the need for education. The Masaai school we visited is a reflection of the changing world to which the Masaai must adapt.<br /><br />Douglas and Tipape started the school earlier this year, and already have over 90 primary school kids enrolled. Many of the kids had never been to school until this one opened its doors.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIC5r5eQuLeyEw9EfG4kQduzM2ZdOhkkWNGSBIULckYZVe1ZkFZdsCBvFGVrmT2I9P7M1R1ZxHcpeE3DMMG71UDOxMXYoyYdpyj2sNRygBTdNRuUtq7r1eZY4GvrKJoQMl7m9T_pfHQO6/s1600-h/DSC_0007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIC5r5eQuLeyEw9EfG4kQduzM2ZdOhkkWNGSBIULckYZVe1ZkFZdsCBvFGVrmT2I9P7M1R1ZxHcpeE3DMMG71UDOxMXYoyYdpyj2sNRygBTdNRuUtq7r1eZY4GvrKJoQMl7m9T_pfHQO6/s400/DSC_0007.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141603448267572130" /></a><br /><br />School fees started at $US1.25 per month, but this had to be reduced to 75 cents because too many parents couldn't afford the higher rate. That tells you a little about how much money is in the area.<br /><br />Getting the kids to draw well was actually very challenging. They don't draw on paper very often, so some of them were a little bewildered. But the natural artists among them soon rose to the challenge. Giraffes, elephants, huts and cows (of course) were the most favoured subjects. There's also a very convincing goat (or perhaps its a donkey).<br /><br />Anyway, I'll post more about the school and Lomongo after Christmas. Enjoy the pictures... and a huge thanks to Douglas and Tipape for looking after us in Kenya.<br /><br />Love <br />Nick and Leonie (currently in South Africa).Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-29552236133351511842007-11-03T06:51:00.000-07:002008-12-09T00:16:07.081-08:00Mangamba School, Mtwara, Tanzania<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhPQPInTiJBnSHzvNDSk5If8rM8pbTP0Bc430cMBBliaiprh5nO2GaszvbD2EUIf06UrglinynjC6WqIlOy5Mg8YCcVDYuS8J3XmNbh0rA3wPH2fiOINQ8dBM-ZF-QS5KMadtTy9p3zVB/s1600-h/Nemes+January+Age12.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhPQPInTiJBnSHzvNDSk5If8rM8pbTP0Bc430cMBBliaiprh5nO2GaszvbD2EUIf06UrglinynjC6WqIlOy5Mg8YCcVDYuS8J3XmNbh0rA3wPH2fiOINQ8dBM-ZF-QS5KMadtTy9p3zVB/s400/Nemes+January+Age12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128619374957990210" /></a><br />Precious Little has begun...<br /><br />On Friday, October 26, we visited Mangamba School in South Eastern Tanzania.<br /><br />Contact was made through a UK NGO called Breakfast Club. They do a marvellous job in providing breakfast to the kids at Mangamba to encourage attendance and to aid concentration. <br /><br />The school is set in the rolling hills behind Mtwara. The area is inhabited mostly by the Makonde people, the majority of whom are subsistence farmers. In the school grounds, guinea fowl peck under mango trees and from the road nearby you can glimpse the Indian Ocean. In many ways it's an idyllic setting, but its far from paradise. HIV and malaria are big problems here, and Mtwara region is one of the poorest and most remote in the country.<br /><br />There are about 250 kids at the school. We asked 30 of them to draw their best friends, their families and their home. They took the task very seriously and drew with painstaking care. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlfVrGowi4hPJnoBcET9zr4wIuEXiTS2mg2K3a1qvyqrwZYhJlavrXrG9EndF7cfXAWARiofCSAECmequ3cYts9yyNayRxkgc0bfxis1gkwVjAPly0IRx65gtS-GjgDrXyfNcJE8EQwQv/s1600-h/Friends.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlfVrGowi4hPJnoBcET9zr4wIuEXiTS2mg2K3a1qvyqrwZYhJlavrXrG9EndF7cfXAWARiofCSAECmequ3cYts9yyNayRxkgc0bfxis1gkwVjAPly0IRx65gtS-GjgDrXyfNcJE8EQwQv/s400/Friends.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128621591161114978" /></a><br /><br />The drawings we collected, along with those from a Maasai school in Kenya and an as-yet-undetermined school in South Africa, will be sold as part of the Precious Little Exhibition in Sydney next year. <br /><br />At Mangamba, the proceeds from the exhibition will be controlled by Breakfast Club - they plan to buy a cow for the school so that breakfast programme can be more self-sufficient. There are also some classrooms that don't have flooring, and some without desks, so perhaps the money can help with that.<br /><br />Thanks to Romy and Katy for setting it up, and thanks to everyone who has already promised to bring themselves and their wallets to the Precious Little Exhibition.<br /><br />Next stop, Rombo, Kenya.<br /><br />Please post comments!<br /><br />Love<br /><br />Nick and Leonie<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9Fq8BF9-jaibKg1NKTMqGxSzFNRi3F_purlIhx519WP6kJGtS7ToM6gYzEyq-A6jCxvL3UP8sZOsZQ6VwsWukkj6NUqWDuaOeywthg4ZPe1rB57nAlZ66uhQ24tJ62agE6N1zYw2Ah3b/s1600-h/Concentration.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9Fq8BF9-jaibKg1NKTMqGxSzFNRi3F_purlIhx519WP6kJGtS7ToM6gYzEyq-A6jCxvL3UP8sZOsZQ6VwsWukkj6NUqWDuaOeywthg4ZPe1rB57nAlZ66uhQ24tJ62agE6N1zYw2Ah3b/s400/Concentration.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128621277628502354" /></a>Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3213192226222184859.post-71410069375368051712007-09-23T01:37:00.000-07:002008-02-03T23:18:12.262-08:00what is precious little?It's an exhibition of drawings by African schoolkids<br /><br />70 unique artworks.<br />3 schools that need a hand.<br />1 night when you can make a difference.<br /><br />Precious Little brings together students’ drawings from three very different schools in Africa – one in Kenya, one in Tanzania, and one in South Africa.<br /><br />Whether the kids involved are Masaai, Makonde, Xhosa or Kleurling all of them have something in common: they come from schools that lack basic resources. Things like textbooks. Desks. Even pencils.<br /><br />That’s why every cent of profit from Precious Little will be sent directly to the schools and used to improve them, bringing results the kids can see and touch.<br /><br />The drawings in Precious Little are currently being collected by husband and wife team Leonie Blignaut and Nick Long. They are personally visiting each school, meeting the kids, commissioning the artworks and recording the whole experience. <br /><br />According to Nick, providing monetary assistance to African schools is only part of Precious Little’s aim. <br /><br />“It’s not only a case of helping the schools to buy better supplies,” he says. “By exhibiting and selling the drawings here in Australia, we hope to send a message to the kids that what they make can have value.” <br /><br />The project title Precious Little refers to the currently meagre resources in the schools, and also to the artists. <br /><br />“If things are going to improve in Africa, it’s going to be up to these little ones to do it,” says Leonie. “So the kids themselves are precious, and so is their education.”<br /><br />All drawings and photographs at Precious Little are for sale.<br /><br />By making a purchase you’ll not only be gaining a unique piece of art, you’ll be helping young Africans to help themselves.<br /><br />Precious Little is an initiative of Precious Few Pty Ltd. Precious Few Pty Ltd is a creative production company which also organises not-for-profit events (like this one).<br /><br />Stay tuned for updates on this project, and contact info@preciousfew.com.au if you want more details.Precious Fewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16598706802898875176noreply@blogger.com8