A E London Journal

Our 2018 ARTS FOR ANIMALS Teaching trip focused on Administrative goals and expanding our programs to new schools and bush camps.
Through a friend we met at the Atlanta art festival,Matt Lindenburg, we were introduced to Timbavati Bush camp near Kruger Park in South Africa. We met his friends Charles and Inga,who have spent well over $1 million building the camp.

Our 2018 ARTS FOR ANIMALS Teaching trip focused on Administrative goals and expanding our programs to new schools and bush camps.

While in South Africa we met Charles and Inga Devillers-South Africans who believe strongly that conservation education is critical
Charles's family has been extremely active in many South African conservation programs. Not only did they fund the beginning of the South African Ranger College, but they also built the Timbavati Bush camp for children.

While in South Africa we met Charles and Inga Devillers-South Africans who believe strongly that conservation education is critical

Although we dropped in rather unexpectedly, Inga put together a delightful dinner
Their small but comfortable home is nestled in a private game reserve. Charles's family donated several thousand acres to the world wildlife fund to preserve rhinos and other endangered species

Although we dropped in rather unexpectedly, Inga put together a delightful dinner

Their home overlooks a pond in a wildlife sanctuary
As we were chatting, or heard of 100 Cape Buffalo walked up for a drink

Their home overlooks a pond in a wildlife sanctuary

While sitting around a campfire, a white rhino and calf walked up- incredible!

While sitting around a campfire, a white rhino and calf walked up- incredible!

We had a very enjoyable day with Charles and Inga and France and Teresa
It was very interesting to hear a local landowner's viewpoint toward elephant conservation. Balancing elephant conservation against Elephant forest destruction is quite a challenge.

We had a very enjoyable day with Charles and Inga and France and Teresa

In some areas elephants are much more of a dangerous nuisance and cause massive destruction of forests

In some areas elephants are much more of a dangerous nuisance and cause massive destruction of forests

Only 100 yards from the house, the road was blocked by Lions on the way home

Only 100 yards from the house, the road was blocked by Lions on the way home

This lion absolutely refused to get out of the way....

This lion absolutely refused to get out of the way....

The Timbavati Bush camp for children enables 80 kids each week to learn about wildlife conservation
Charles and Inga have created a real state-of-the-art experience for these South African children. Often this is their only exposure to wildlife conservation stewardship and now, wildlife art.

The Timbavati Bush camp for children enables 80 kids each week to learn about wildlife conservation

At Timbavati, We're working with the teachers and staff at Timbavati to develop an art component to their conservation education programs
We certainly enjoyed working with the staff at Timbavati. This will enable us to reach well over 1000 more children each year with our art and conservation programs

At Timbavati, We're working with the teachers and staff at Timbavati to develop an art component to their conservation education programs

I use my sketchbook to show teachers how wildlife animal forms develop in my art.
Using the poster we developed, any child can learn to draw their wildlife.

I use my sketchbook to show teachers how wildlife animal forms develop in my art.

We Presented each of the teachers with a commemorative print called" The Last Unicorn", representing the plight of the Rhino

We Presented each of the teachers with a commemorative print called" The Last Unicorn", representing the plight of the Rhino

Children at Timbavati also learn about agriculture and growing trees to replace one's destroyed by elephants

Children at Timbavati also learn about agriculture and growing trees to replace one's destroyed by elephants

While visiting the Timbavati Bush camp near Kruger Park we visited a rehabilitation center for animals injured by poachers

While visiting the Timbavati Bush camp near Kruger Park we visited a rehabilitation center for animals injured by poachers

This Cheetah had been caught in a snare for five days before being rescued

This Cheetah had been caught in a snare for five days before being rescued

While at the rehabilitation center, we met these folks from the Make-A-Wish foundation.
The Make-A-Wish foundation was enabling this young cancer survivor to learn about and touch wildlife. Someday she wants to be a wildlife ranger herself.

While at the rehabilitation center, we met these folks from the Make-A-Wish foundation.

One of Africa's most beautiful raptors, the Bateleur Eagle. Beautiful black plumage with bright orange red beak and talons

One of Africa's most beautiful raptors, the Bateleur Eagle. Beautiful black plumage with bright orange red beak and talons

This Bateleur Eagle was caught in a snare and came to love being petted by humans.

This Bateleur Eagle was caught in a snare and came to love being petted by humans.

Hyenas are usually called the "bad boys" of the Bush but without them disease would wipe out many species
This is another victim of wildlife poacher's snares

Hyenas are usually called the "bad boys" of the Bush but without them disease would wipe out many species

"Anita" and" Sebo",These two young ladies won scholarships to attend Ranger school. They both want to save and protect wildlife.
We met these two young conservationists through Sue Goatley, our Children in the Wilderness representative. They both completed all their prerequisites and will be entering Ranger college on ARTS FOR ANIMALS scholarships this coming January

"Anita" and" Sebo",These two young ladies won scholarships to attend Ranger school. They both want to save and protect wildlife.

Interestingly, "Anita" and "Sebo", our ranger scholarship recipients, both attended the painted dog Bush camp for kids
15 years ago these young women were first introduced to wildlife conservation at the painted dog Bush camp. It goes to show that these camps effectively change the attitudes and future of African children

Interestingly, "Anita" and "Sebo", our ranger scholarship recipients, both attended the painted dog Bush camp for kids

Children really get into these art and conservation lessons and are quite adorable

Children really get into these art and conservation lessons and are quite adorable

We saw lots of animals with the kids on the game drive-These giraffes were beautiful!

We saw lots of animals with the kids on the game drive-These giraffes were beautiful!

Although it was raining during one of the game drives with the kids- no one's spirits were dampened

Although it was raining during one of the game drives with the kids- no one's spirits were dampened

The children's attention to Anne's lessons is amazing! They are so interested in learning to draw

The children's attention to Anne's lessons is amazing! They are so interested in learning to draw

If this baby elephant is going to grow up safely, we need to educate local children to the importance of their wildlife!

If this baby elephant is going to grow up safely, we need to educate local children to the importance of their wildlife!

The baskets feature incredible designs and colors and we hope to help market them in the United States

The baskets feature incredible designs and colors and we hope to help market them in the United States

Anne Sue and Betsy (The inventive woman who is organizing this program) having some fun
These large plastic bags are unraveled and the plastic weaving used to wrap around twigs to make beautifully colored baskets. It's an incredible method of recycling for Zimbabwean women.

Anne Sue and Betsy (The inventive woman who is organizing this program) having some fun

These are our kids that were chosen for the Sketch for Survival exhibition in London this year
We were really pleased when ARTS FOR ANIMALS was asked to partner with this international fundraiser for wildlife conservation. These children's artwork will be on display at exhibitions in London and New York and obviously they are quite proud!

These are our kids that were chosen for the Sketch for Survival exhibition in London this year

Impalas are quite common and usually the target of snares- unfortunately those snares can kill and maim many other animals

Impalas are quite common and usually the target of snares- unfortunately those snares can kill and maim many other animals

Each year the ARTS FOR ANIMALS Wildlife Center grows and develops
This year our director, Tich Ncube , is joining with Susan Cottwell, a local artist to begin mentoring children at the Mosi A Tona( "Smoke That Thunders"-the local name for Vic Falls) school

Each year the ARTS FOR ANIMALS Wildlife Center grows and develops

"Pride"and "Blessing" ,Who one ARTS FOR ANIMALS scholarships
Pride Is an incredible artists and hopes to be a professional artist one day and Blessing wants to go to Ranger school and become a park ranger.

"Pride"and "Blessing" ,Who one ARTS FOR ANIMALS scholarships

We have been teaching some of these children going on six years and many are really developing their artistic skills

We have been teaching some of these children going on six years and many are really developing their artistic skills

It's always fun to visit the kids at the orphanage- they are also upbeat and happy- despite their hard circumstances

It's always fun to visit the kids at the orphanage- they are also upbeat and happy- despite their hard circumstances

This is Lamisha- five years ago she was abandoned in the Bush as a baby!
A friend , Sarah Mogk, who visited the orphanage with us fell in love with the baby and has been supporting her ever since.

This is Lamisha- five years ago she was abandoned in the Bush as a baby!

It's really amazing to visit the orphanage and see Lamisha growing up as a healthy and happy youngster thanks to Sarah

It's really amazing to visit the orphanage and see Lamisha growing up as a healthy and happy youngster thanks to Sarah

Lions are an important part of life in Africa- but sadly they're also now being hunted to extinction
Lion body parts are being sold in China as Tiger parts for use in traditional medicines

Lions are an important part of life in Africa- but sadly they're also now being hunted to extinction

Dotomo School has about 500 children for school lessons as well as conservation and agriculture

Dotomo School has about 500 children for school lessons as well as conservation and agriculture

At Dotomo School we held a session for the teachers demonstrating art techniques and teaching conservation stewardship

At Dotomo School we held a session for the teachers demonstrating art techniques and teaching conservation stewardship

Another group of children displays their wildlife posters and Wildlife Protector wristbands proudly!

Another group of children displays their wildlife posters and Wildlife Protector wristbands proudly!

The children are enthusiastic learners and love learning how to draw their countries animals
Often these children don't realize that African wildlife only exists in Africa. They can't believe that there are no elephants ,Lions, Cheetahs or even Zebras in America

The children are enthusiastic learners and love learning how to draw their countries animals

It's so much fun teaching these children to value their wildlife

It's so much fun teaching these children to value their wildlife

I did some sketches of baobab trees like this 1500-year-old beauty to incorporate into my work

I did some sketches of baobab trees like this 1500-year-old beauty to incorporate into my work

Even giraffes are in danger of being caught in the deadly snares

Even giraffes are in danger of being caught in the deadly snares

The ARTS FOR ANIMALS wildlife Center reaches hundreds of children every year!

The ARTS FOR ANIMALS wildlife Center reaches hundreds of children every year!

Mosi Oa Tunya high school and Victoria Falls is one of the biggest and best in the area

Mosi Oa Tunya high school and Victoria Falls is one of the biggest and best in the area

This building at the high school will become our second ARTS FOR ANIMALS wildlife conservation Center
Since our first wildlife education building is about 25 minutes out of town, and transportation and gases become a big problem- we are going to work with the school to create a facility accessible to all the kids in Victoria Falls

This building at the high school will become our second ARTS FOR ANIMALS wildlife conservation Center

We are not sure why, but African sunsets seem to be the most beautiful in the world
We're already looking forward to our next trip to Africa with a group of friends this comming May

We are not sure why, but African sunsets seem to be the most beautiful in the world

2018 ARTS FOR ANIMALS TEACHING TOUR

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