going back …. Make do Tell 2

fundraising for our art and drama projects with

Saltpan Families in India and Street Children in Nepal

In December and January we are returning to Nepal and India for two months to continue our art and drama projects with street children and Unatti Foundation in Nepal and with the salt pan communities in India. We will also be presenting at two conferences in India.

Please donate through POZIBLE (click here)

Why are we going back

This is our third visit to Bhaktapur and the salt pans.  We want to develop and deepen the relationships with these communities.  In our first Make do Tell project (early 2014) our aim was to immerse ourselves in Bhaktapur with the street children, in collaboration with the Unatti Foundation and Children’s Art Village, and give the children the opportunity to immerse themselves in creative practice.  We believe it is important to spend time with a community if we are to develop skills and trust.   We also visited the Saltpan Families who live in a very harsh environment and isolated part of the state of Gujarat India.   At that time,  we were only able to spend a few days with them.

We were so surprised by how much of those previous visits – and the art projects themselves – they remembered.   They remembered the mime and clowning routines, the colours, the songs, and the art projects.  This gave us the insight into the importance of going back and committing to these vulnerable people.

It always takes time for enough trust to develop so that participants are able to explore and reveal about themselves, their personal lives and desires.   However, these are important components of any art practice and we need to offer them time and space for this to happen.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rehOomoQKTU

What we do

We go into communities and teach art and drama.   We teach skills.  We develop imagination.   We have fun.  We teach students how to work co-operatively with others.   And we help improve  language skills.   We build self esteem and self confidence.   We encourage participants to learn, stretch themselves and to see and meet their  potential.

We believe that art and drama is a stepping stone into education which for these communities in Nepal and India can be informal and non-school based .

We believe that children have a right to play and to learn through fun and creativity.  We believe entrenched disadvantage should not impede  children  from experiencing from what we know to be good for a child’s wellbeing and future. We believe  in human rights and equality, especially for girls and women.  We support them by providing opportunities for them to broaden their horizons.  We encourage boys and men to work co-operatively as part of a whole community where there is space and respect for all.

 

What is  Make do Tell 2

It’s a skills based, arts and education project with the street children of Nepal.

Make Do Tell – making art & theatre, being creative, learning, making childhood fun.

Make Do Tell : doing drama and art together, being active.

Make Do Tell : being resourceful and adaptable.

Make Do Tell : Giving participants a voice through the arts. Creating stories, drama & artwork of participants’ lives.

Make Do Tell : an invitation to participants to share their stories.

Why art and drama works

Make do Tell 2, like all our programs, is built on our education, experience as professional artists, research including a PhD and years of engaging with disadvantaged communities.   Our programs work because we are passionate about art and the role of artists in contributing to a healthy community.   We are committed to nurturing the creative potential in every individual and encouraging that person to shine.  Our programs work because we consult with local community organisations with whom we partner, (such as the Unatti Foundation and Children’s Art Village, Nepal, Desert Coursers in India) and we train their leaders through professional development so that the work continues after we leave.

 

Why help

Helping feels great.   We donate our arts services.  Your donation helps by helping us get to Nepal and India.   Your donation buys the materials.   Your donation gives the children exposure to a wide range of art and drama projects.    Your donation nurtures their childhood and the community and helps put in place the self-confidence that will propel participants forward.

Can you make a donation? and join with other who have already supported our projects?

 

How to help

Please donate through POZIBLE (click here)

Please pass this on to others who are interested in art, education and helping communities in need.

Check our GET INVOLVED page for Gift Cards and other ideas to support  Make do Tell 2

Further Information 

see:  our videos on YouTube  and our posts on earlier projects 

 

Thank You

and thank you to all who have already supported our work in the past.

 

 

Anne and Alex.

 

Crowdfunding  is the collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money to support efforts initiated by other people or organizations.  Crowdfunding is used in support of a wide variety of activities, including the support of artists and community projects.