Talking Mural exchange that began in Kibinge.....

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the completion of the Renewing Material: Nurturing Environment mural at Rasor Elementary School. Led by project assistants Rebecca Schaefer (art Teacher at Rasor) and Amanda Batson (UT Austin), a select group of students from each grade were invited to add their vocabulary about the environment to the mural that was began in Kibinge, Uganda.
The focus of this exchange was to give an opportunity for students to think about their role in a global village. To think about the lives of students on the other side of the globe and how they are linked by caring for our one world.
One very special part of the day was the video conference with Fred Mutebi in Uganda. This was incredible opportunity for the students to ask Fred about Uganda, what they eat, what the environment looks like and even what is happening to the environment. Fred's energy and enthusiasm encouraged each student to learn more.
The mural will be exhibited at the University of North Texas as a part of the Material Evolution: Ugandan Bark Cloth exhibition opening on March 1st at the UNT Art Gallery.
Here are a few photos of the mural as it came to be.

From Kasota Primary School in Uganda








From Rasor Elementary in Plano, Texas

Connections made...highlighting Kinderen van Uganda

Since 1995 Kinderen van Uganda, under the leadership of Ruud Boon, has supported a varity of projects in Uganda. Since 2000, Fred has worked with KvU in Uganda and giving workshops on printmaking in Holland. It was through their connection that Project Kibinge started. With the support of a Dutch fund they are building the Community House in Bugoga, Kibinge. They are in the process of raising support for finishing the roof; once this building is complete it will serve as the centre of activities for the communities of Kibinge.

KvU was a supporter of the Renewing Material project, their groundwork in the Kibinge area and the use of the community building site allowed us to join together as we promote the preservation of bark cloth. Their continued investment in the area will build from what we did by continuing the conversation surrounding bark cloth. They are able to go a step further; they continue to support tree planting efforts, are investigating new markets for Bark Cloth/Lubugo in Europe and will be investigating the possibilities of carbon rights which could make it possible to invest in child-projects in Kibinge and other areas in Uganda.

Here is an excerpt from a recent email from Ruud - "In Uganda we are supporting a shelter for streetchildren in Kampala,school sponsoring vocational secondary education, a primary school near Jinja and the mother and child care program in Mukono. Kibinge is the other and important part of our work.In this project Kibinge we work together with the municipality of Deventer, the city we are living. It is great that this municipality wants to support the project and the local council of Masaka in improving policies for childcare, education and rural development. The most important thing in Kibinge is to help the communities in making their own plans for the future.We want to support this with ideas, attention and some funds. During my last visit I met the local people of Kibinge and i am very sure these communities want to make a better future for the families and children.
They earn our support!"

For more info, see www.kinderenvanuganda.nl

I have included photos of the Kibinge community center in progress as well as a group of students from the local teachers college participating in a Talking Mural led by Fred Mutebi. This is being painted on the community center, facing the road.