I've got a name!

Art for Africa.
I love it - it's simple yet says what it needs to. Thanks for the suggestion Dacia!

If you know any artists who'd like to donate art (minimum value of $150 per piece) and/or sponsors, please send them my way.

Rwanda fact - Life expectancy in Rwanda is 40 years old.
The population is 8,722,000. There are four languages spoken in Rwanda - French (maybe I'll get to practice a little!), English, Kinyarwanda, and Kiswahili.

My Fundraiser Needs a Name

There is a lot to do between now and october 21 (tentative date) in order to prepare for a successful fundraiser. As I mentioned previously, my goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000 for Global Relief and Development Partners (www.grdpartners.org). My scheduled departure date for Kigali, Rwanda is December 11, 2009.

I'm in the process of organizing a small planning committee who are working to help make this dream a reality, but I need your help too.

I need a catchy name for my fundraiser!

The premise of this event is an art & cocktail evening with all proceeds donated to Global Relief and Development Partners. The event is 100% volunteer driven and my goal is to introduce art enthusiasts to the wide range of talent within Toronto and the surrounding areas, and allow collectors to appreciate art in an atmosphere different from a gallery setting. I want a balance somewhere between fine art and good fun.

At the end of the evening, each guest will walk away with one piece of art which has been generously donated by very talented artists.

To submit your name suggestion, please comment below, post it on facebook or send me an email to artforafricainfo (at) ymail.com

I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your help!

just about forgot

The tentative date for my fundraiser (more details to come soon) is April, 2010. If you know anyone that is willing to donate their art/time, please let me know. I'm specifically looking for:
1. Artists - interested in looking at all mediums
2. Musicians
3. Photographers - for the event itself and for their art
4. Writers for stuff - blogs, press releases, etc, etc.
5. Sponsors, of course!

ciao

The beginning of this journey is surreal

I'm not sure why the entire world (OK, my entire Toronto world) is not as excited as I am about my trip. What's wrong with them?!

Today the idea of going to Rwanda is surreal and I've now moved into "production" mode for my fundraising efforts. There's not a lot to report at the moment but as I watch Bill Clinton on Ted.com talk about Rebuilding Rwanda, I think I'll ask Bill Clinton and Bono for some support.

http://www.ted.com/talks/bill_clinton_on_rebuilding_rwanda.html

Fact about Rwanda - average income is <$1/day. Gee, makes that Starbucks coffee seem extravagant. Hell, at that price I can't even buy a chocolate bar in my local convenience store.

apologies

sorry 'bout the ads, but I gotta raise all the money I can!!

Just found out I'm going to Africa...

...and am beside myself. This dream of travelling to Africa started when I was around the age of four and although I've travelled to 25 countries (so far), I've never bought the ticket to Africa. Today that all changed. I spoke to Dave at Global Relief and Development Partners (www.grdpartners.org) and confirmed that I'd work with his organization for 2-3 weeks in December, 2009.

My reaction - (almost) speechless! I believe at one point, while trying to hold back tears of excitement, I said to him, "Dave, I'm so excited I feel like I just won an Academy Award and don't know what to say! If you told me I was going to clean toilets, I'd be happy. (pause) No, I'm lying, I'd be really grouchy cleaning toilets."

I cannot believe I will have an opportunity to work with some of Rwanda's entrepreneurs and hope that I can make a difference, even just a small one.
Dreams do come true.

As a personal mission I have committed to raising $10,000 for their non-profit organization...now the (fun)draising for Global Relief and Development Partners begins.