Saturday, June 29, 2013
Asana!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Lepta na Mwelu
Yesterday, I met with John Ngare of Lepta, a youth organization in Mathare slums. They assist youth aged 18-25 with training in performing arts. On my visit, I met with kids concentrating intently on guitar and keyboard. They meet regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We decided that TWO Hands could come and work with the youth of Lepta with their service project for a local school, Kiboro Primary. Together the youth could engage in program planning for an arts and crafts fun day at the school. We will engage more in creating a full week of activities for both groups. It sounds fun, so far!
I also went by Mwelu for a visit. Since the two organizations are around the corner from each other. Though we decided our youth may not be able to work with them because of the time frame, it still may be possible to collaborate in some way. As I waited for the meeting, I sat with Racheal to watch a few of the movies filmed by the kids in the organization. I must say, these kids are pretty good!
I also went by Mwelu for a visit. Since the two organizations are around the corner from each other. Though we decided our youth may not be able to work with them because of the time frame, it still may be possible to collaborate in some way. As I waited for the meeting, I sat with Racheal to watch a few of the movies filmed by the kids in the organization. I must say, these kids are pretty good!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Check... Check
Logo- Ready
MOUs- Done
Site Visits- Scheduled
Brand Identity- Finito...
Things are really moving.
Whoohooo!
Photographer...
Check!!!
Just got a photographer to take the branding shots for TWO Hands. This is quite exciting.
Click Pictureworks with Mwarv!
The passion behind Mwarv's work,
"Africa is a very blessed continent. However, many Africans don’t see it that way. We have believed in the skewed negative stories about Africa to the point of pitying ourselves and seeking the riches of the lands from where these storytellers come. With every click I take, I will show you what a blessed place we live in. I will rebrand Africa, one click at a time."
- Mwangi Kirubi (Mwarv)
This will be a fruitful partnership. I am very excited!!!
Check out his blog!
Photos will be featured on the TWO Hands website and all other branding materials!
Just got a photographer to take the branding shots for TWO Hands. This is quite exciting.
Click Pictureworks with Mwarv!
The passion behind Mwarv's work,
"Africa is a very blessed continent. However, many Africans don’t see it that way. We have believed in the skewed negative stories about Africa to the point of pitying ourselves and seeking the riches of the lands from where these storytellers come. With every click I take, I will show you what a blessed place we live in. I will rebrand Africa, one click at a time."
- Mwangi Kirubi (Mwarv)
This will be a fruitful partnership. I am very excited!!!
Check out his blog!
Photos will be featured on the TWO Hands website and all other branding materials!
Monday, June 24, 2013
So cute!
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I stole this picture from The Nest Home, a children's home in Lumuru Kenya, which cares for children whose mothers have been incarcerated for petty crimes. The picture was just too adorable not to share... three little girls who have wrapped stuffed animals on their back the way African Mamas do.
I thought it was so cute!
Mama Ndogo.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Brooklyn school girls get American Girl store thrill
I found this article published on NBC News yesterday. It is so wonderful in so many ways.
Check it out below!
Brooklyn school girls get American Girl store thrill
Meghan Holohan
June 20, 2013 at 8:06 AM ET
A group of girls were chatting in Rob Robinson’s fifth grade classroom in PS 28 in Brooklyn when the special ed teacher overheard them talking about American Girl dolls. One of the girls mentioned a place girls can visit on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to purchase these dolls. At the store, a girl can also buy matching clothes for her and the doll and visit the salon where both can get their ears pierced and hair styled.
“I know about this place. Only white girls can go there,” one of the girls explained.
Robinson, who admits he didn’t know what an American Girl Doll was, believed that this girl was mistaken. Surely, the store is for people of all races.
“I just heard what you said—I think everybody goes there, not one specific group,” he said. And to prove his point he added: “We’re going.”
The girls stared at Robinson as if he were crazy.
He didn’t realize that American Girl Dolls—a doll matched to a historical era like Colonial America or the Depression—cost more than $100 and that a day at the store would be a significant investment—one he and his students couldn’t afford. About 80 percent of the students at PS 28 qualify for the federal free lunch program.
After recovering from sticker shock, he remained determined to show his students that they can go where they want and achieve their dreams. Robinson believes that his participation in similar programs as a child helped him become determined and success.
“Here [was] an opportunity to turn around the thinking of little girls when they are thinking of image,” he says.
To fund the trip, Robinson built a website, 21 Girls of Color to American Girl NYC, and approached his network for donations. He worried that people might not give. Meanwhile, the list of students kept growing. He started with seven girls, but ended with 27. He had to limit it so they could dine in the private area, which accommodates 40 (this included an entourage of Robinson, chaperones, a photographer, and security).
Despite his worries, the donations rolled in—in five weeks Robinson raised $14,000. He provided stylists to fix the girls hair and nails, a limo ride to and from the store, and a photo shoot for them. Each girl received a doll, an American Girl t-shirt, a bag, her picture on the American girl magazine, breakfast, and private dining at the café at the store.
“When they walked into the American girl place, they lost their minds,” says Robinson. “They walked differently, their shoulders were squared, and it was amazing to see that. And they believed they belonged there or anywhere else.”
View the full article here
It is so encouraging to know that there are good-hearted people out there who believe that children should be exposed to certain things no matter their economic situation. And that is essentially what we seek with TWO Hands. I remember the Addie doll and also how I couldn't have one as a child though some friends of mine had them. If I had the opportunity these girls received I probably would have been just as excited. The article is so wonderful. I love it!!!
Check it out below!
Brooklyn school girls get American Girl store thrill
Meghan Holohan
June 20, 2013 at 8:06 AM ET
A group of girls were chatting in Rob Robinson’s fifth grade classroom in PS 28 in Brooklyn when the special ed teacher overheard them talking about American Girl dolls. One of the girls mentioned a place girls can visit on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan to purchase these dolls. At the store, a girl can also buy matching clothes for her and the doll and visit the salon where both can get their ears pierced and hair styled.
“I know about this place. Only white girls can go there,” one of the girls explained.Robinson, who admits he didn’t know what an American Girl Doll was, believed that this girl was mistaken. Surely, the store is for people of all races.
“I just heard what you said—I think everybody goes there, not one specific group,” he said. And to prove his point he added: “We’re going.”
The girls stared at Robinson as if he were crazy.
He didn’t realize that American Girl Dolls—a doll matched to a historical era like Colonial America or the Depression—cost more than $100 and that a day at the store would be a significant investment—one he and his students couldn’t afford. About 80 percent of the students at PS 28 qualify for the federal free lunch program.
After recovering from sticker shock, he remained determined to show his students that they can go where they want and achieve their dreams. Robinson believes that his participation in similar programs as a child helped him become determined and success.
To fund the trip, Robinson built a website, 21 Girls of Color to American Girl NYC, and approached his network for donations. He worried that people might not give. Meanwhile, the list of students kept growing. He started with seven girls, but ended with 27. He had to limit it so they could dine in the private area, which accommodates 40 (this included an entourage of Robinson, chaperones, a photographer, and security).
Despite his worries, the donations rolled in—in five weeks Robinson raised $14,000. He provided stylists to fix the girls hair and nails, a limo ride to and from the store, and a photo shoot for them. Each girl received a doll, an American Girl t-shirt, a bag, her picture on the American girl magazine, breakfast, and private dining at the café at the store.
“When they walked into the American girl place, they lost their minds,” says Robinson. “They walked differently, their shoulders were squared, and it was amazing to see that. And they believed they belonged there or anywhere else.”
View the full article here
It is so encouraging to know that there are good-hearted people out there who believe that children should be exposed to certain things no matter their economic situation. And that is essentially what we seek with TWO Hands. I remember the Addie doll and also how I couldn't have one as a child though some friends of mine had them. If I had the opportunity these girls received I probably would have been just as excited. The article is so wonderful. I love it!!!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
I'm Just Saying Though...Congrats Mrs. Sheila Hogan
Special shout out to my second mom, Mrs. Sheila Hogan, who was awarded as an 'I'm Just Saying Though' 2013 "Golf For A Cause" Recipient last weekend. I have known Mrs. Hogan since I was three when she somewhat adopted me from my preschool. I was best friends with her daughter, Lauren, though she treated me as her own from then on. Even through my own mother's battle with cancer she has been very supportive, loving, kind, and just an amazing woman. It is such wonderful news to hear that she is receiving this award... so thanks to IJST for recognizing her in this way. Mrs. Hogan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, is a community leader and honorary TWO Hands Board member. She currently works at my old high school.
Check out the video and be sure to take a look at the IJST blog!
Check out the video and be sure to take a look at the IJST blog!
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