Join In Helping The DD Dliwayo School!
Today was one of the most moving experiences of my life. We visited the DD Dliwayo School outside of Joburg. The school has over 800 students but has a very tiny facility. In fact, in order to get enough desks in the room, the students have to climb over the desks to get to theirs.
The space is not the school's only problem though. The most basic needs like pencils and paper, rulers, chalk and erasers are scarce as well. They often break pencils in half so that the kids can write. Sometimes four kids will share one workbook. They are also trying to teach on computers, but they only have six pieces of junk for all the students to work on.
Despite all this, I was completely floored by how overjoyed the students were to be there. I have never in my life seen people this excited to learn.
No space for desks in this room, only chairs:
When we walked in, we were bombarded by the children who wanted us to look at their work in their notebooks. They would just hold them out and show us their accomplishments, longing for affirmation and praise.
My heart was completely moved by their needs. These are kids of so much promise and their needs are so freaking basic.
So, here is my idea. I want to see how much money we can raise this school before I leave South Africa on Monday. My plan is to actually hand a check to the principal in person. The plan of action is easy and rewarding:
For the next two days, and for the first time ever, I'm going to sell my new A Bryan Photo graphic T-shirts to you for $30. All of our proceeds will go straight to the school before the end of the week! You can affect the lives of many promising children immediately. The Hanson guys were so thrilled with the idea, especially since they are so attached to the school.
The kids of the DD Dliwayo School were the ones who sang on "Great Divide", on the newest Hanson record, The Walk.
Girls who sang on the album:
Hanson put on a show for the kids:
Let's help these beautiful children!
If you want to just give a few bucks you can donate any amount here (think as if you are buying a latte, only you don't get the latte).
Labels: Africa, DD Dliwayo School, Hanson
posted by A Bryan Photo at
5:23 PM
35 Comments:
about to order a shirt - but first wanted to say how awesome :) i love being able to give tangibly and think this is such an admirable action that you're taking with such a spontaneous heart - God bless you :)
Thank YOU!!
Wow! I def admire the kids for all they go through; even through struggle they seem happy.
Going to donate right NOW!!!!
Good on you for having this idea :)
This is a really wonderful idea. I can't afford the full $30 right now, but I donated $20. Sorry it's not more. :(
I'm running low on money right now so I can't afford the t-shirt, but I'm about to donate a few dollars that I can spare. I wish I could do more to help. I truly admire what you guys are doing over there.
oh man bryan
i cried
this is amazing, all of it. i'm so stoked. .... about to buy a shirt.
i am so jealous of you. SO jealous. I wish I had the means to go to africa.
Bryan, I love love LOVE what you are doing, and have been following your trip since post #1. These images are amazing, and you are truly capturing the story about these amazing children.
Have a great Thanksgiving, and I am going to head over and donate now :)
-Michelle
Bryan, THANK YOU for letting me be a part and giving me a way to help out. I hope you get an amazing response. I'm going to link to your blog on MySpace tonight and post about it on my blog. God bless you guys!
This is pretty awesome man. Proud of all you are doing and privileged to be a small part of it.
A lot of people don't give a s*** to study. That's one of the things THESE kids want the most.
i just wanted to comment to let you know that what you all are doing is absolutely wonderful. as a hanson fan, i have been following their cause since they first introduced it to us, and i never would have imagined that it would impact me (and countless other fans!) the way that it has. your photos are both beautiful and haunting...and it feels AWESOME knowing that i have helped to make a change in the lives of these children, so thank you for allowing all of us who bought toms (and now your shirt, too!) to see the difference we've helped to make. definitely looking forward to your next blog! be well!
Hi!
Absolutely love this idea! We always want the money to go straight to the people who need it!
Just donated $40 through paypal, but didn't see any comments box, so just wanted to say it was from Lauren and Marissa in Melbourne, Australia.
Don't worry about shipping a tshirt over, we just wanted to donate to these beautiful children, they are an inspiration to us all.
Please keep uploading more photos, we are checking back regularly!
Hanson, you guys are doing a fantastic job, we are really proud to be your fans! :)
Thanks,
Marissa :)
i really wish i could get the shirt... but i can't use paypal :0( i wish there was a different way i could help
I hope you guys raise a LOT of money for the school. What a great idea!!!!
Just ordered a shirt!
I'm about to cry my eyes out.
Again.
You're wonderful. Everyone there helping is wonderful and such whole-hearted in this act. And the world needs people like all of you.
And I love you for inspiring me so much. Project Ohana is taking shape and in March we will (hopefully) start working all over Brazil.
Thank you so much, again. And thank the TOMS crew and Hanson for me, will you?
All the love,
Biba :)
I am so glad you decided to do this!! What another great way to get people involved! Please let us know how much money you are able to raise!! Thank you for this, it's really inspiring.
I first of all would like to Thank You so much for what you are doing to help these kids. I was so moved by the pictures and blogs. I was wondering if there is an address we could possibly collect basic items and mail them,pencils, pens, notebooks, etc. Then the school can use more money toward new computers. Please let me know I'd love to help in any way I can.
this is a really amazing idea! i couldn't afford the t-shirt, but i was able to donate a few dollars, i'm sorry i couldn't donate more! i hope you raise your goal!
This is such an amazing idea.
I am so happy that you have made us all a part of this experience, and allowed us to help in any way we can.
Thanks for doing this.
And thanks for documenting your trip with Hanson - as a Hanson fan, I came upon your blog, and I have to say that your photos and words are truly inspiring and motivating.
Thanks again,
Stephanie
what a great idea...I am excited to see how many money is earned by Sunday and given to the school... Thank you!
Just bought a shirt. This is all just so amazing.
Bryan!
a) your pictures are STUNNING. i can't even express how i feel about them... you really know how to capture the message of your trip to Africa in every photo you take.
b) just bought a shirt. what an awesome idea! i really love what you and Hanson and the TOMS crew are doing out there... i live for your daily updates! please give my regards to all of those beautiful kids and to the Hanson guys. you are all in my prayers... God bless!
This made me cry again. I will definitely buy a t-shirt if I can figure out what size I need and if I have enough money. If not I will definitely donate!
Thanks again for the pictures and everything you are doing!
please send address of DD Dliwayo School here, want to post them something (pencils, pens, etc.) ..cannot find the adress on net, thnx :-)
Bryan, I really really really want to donate and buy a shirt, but I can't use paypal! Is there any other way???
to the one who can't use penpal... maybe you have a friend that can use it? it may be an option...
it's so hard to figure out the sizes... can you tell us if they're tight, or loose... or what size the model is wearing in the picture, and what's his height & weight more or less?
I'm also jealous! I wanted to go to Malawi last year with my church to volunteer, but I couldn't afford the $4,000 it would have cost to go for only two weeks, as I'm only a college student. I bought a shirt, and hope one day I'm able to have such an opportunity to help. :)
I think everything you guys are doing is amazing! As a Hanson fan, i have been following their efforts since the beginning and would like to thank you so much for keeping us updated with your amazing pics and blogs each day on the trip and also thank you for giving us another way in which we can help! I shall have to donate in a bit.
I was also wondering if here is an address for the school we could mail some basic supplies to??
i think what all you guys are doing is fantastic!!
Thanks alot!
Laura
So glad I could donate $30.
It was the only worthwhile thing I did today.
You guys are incredible!
Love from SCOTLAND!
Holly
I cant order a shirt right now, and I probably wont be able to until next week sometime, but I will. But, I wanted to post and just tell you how amazed I am by how much you guys really care and by all the action that you're taking. I wish there was some way I could be a bigger part of it than just buying a pair of shoes or a tshirt...I give you so much credit and praise. :]
wow so giving, i love you for your heart :) i love you
so glad i came across this! i was in malawi two months ago. fell in love with africa. my church handed out cash a few weeks ago in order for us to turn around and give it away. i haven't come across the right thing to give it to yet. so glad to be able to help the DD Dilwayo school. the pictures bring back so many memories of the faces i love in Malawi. would love to give more, would have loved a t-shirt, but so glad to help with what little i could! thanks for providing the opportunity!
Those kids are so amazingly beautiful and you did a great job capturing their beauty and good for you for taking helping them into your own hands. Imagine if you didn't have the bit of courage it takes to do so, they would be minus 15 grand right now. Makes me think of a commercial I've seen "Don't ALMOST give," and you didn't.
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