Supporting Anno’s Africa

“Any human anywhere will blossom in a hundred unexpected talents and capacities simply by being given the opportunity to do so.” – Doris Lessing

That is how one of the main pages of the Anno’s Africa website starts. Quite inspirational I would say, and it seems that I’m not the only one with that opinion. As a result, over 70 stars of film, TV, music and the arts including Daniel Craig, Benedict Cumberbatch, Felicity Jones and Joanna Lumley have created unique postcard sized artworks to raise funds for ANNO’S AFRICA, a charity running educational arts projects for children in the poorest Kenyan slums and rural Malawi.

How exactly does this work?

Basically, you choose a team (don’t be shy – you can choose more than one) and under each team you have a number of postcards drawn by a good part of the 70 stars. The interesting thing is you don’t know exactly who drew what and which one you might win – a bit of excitement there for all of you who enjoy a bit of gambling. I went for the Daniel Craig one because Lion King was one of my favourite childhood stories. Yes, the choice was as simple as that! Plus, discovered the charity’s work via a David Oakes post, who is one of my first ever interviewed actors, and he is part of that team.

And how much does this cost?

Raffle tickets will be £10 each. So basically, less than 3 coffees. Which I bet most of us can spare.

And just so you feel even more tempted: winners could win a signed artwork by a popular star or a potentially valuable artwork by a famous artist. It’s the LUCK OF THE DRAW!!!

So who is Anno’s Africa? And more importantly, why you should to this?

In short, because Anno’s Africa needs your support to help shape the future!

In a more detailed manner: Anno’s Africa’s remit is to bring to underprivileged children in Sub Saharan Africa opportunities that are normally beyond the hopes and dreams of most children growing up in some of the most overpopulated and poorest slums in the world.

Each year the charity holds two monthly intensive workshops and teacher training programmes, headed by volunteer professional artists and performers from Europe who work alongside and offer advice and support to the 17 local trainers. None of their European teachers are paid for their work! Only basic costs – economy fares and subsistence – based communal living –  which are funded by Anno’s Africa. The teachers volunteer their services and give the charity their precious time for free. This combination of workshops and clubs guarantees the sustainability and growth of the arts programmes on many levels and gives the children and their young Kenyan trainers the vital continuity and encouragement that they need – and deserve.

Anno’s Africa run all their amazing projects in collaboration with existing African charities, shelters, orphanages or non-formal schools who receive little or no Government support in order to maximize access to the kids who need them most. And throughout the year Anno’s Africa continues to recruit local talent as trainee teachers, classroom assistants and peer educators so that the projects can grow and expand to include an even greater number of needy children, not only in Nairobi and the other cities in Kenya where they work, but also other countries on the African Continent.

Convinced yet?

Hope so!

All the raffle details can be found on the Anno’s Africa official website. Also, if you want any updates, I’d encourage you to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

And, in case all of this hasn’t convinced you, here are the names of the stars who decided to support Anno’s Africa:

 

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Denisa