Glowing with Hope

Amanda Nied, a first grade teacher in Dallas, came up with a great idea and allowed us to give even more money to the DD Dliwayo School. I'm touched and inspired by this story. I hope that we are able to continue to support this amazing school. Please let me know if you still want to give money to the school, because we are still able to pass on donations to them. Thanks Amanda!

Below is the story in Amanda's words:

I was inspired by the acts of Hanson and Toms shoes in the fall. I joined the guys on 5 walks, and love my TOMS shoes. I am a teacher of 22 first grade students in a DFW area city. Following our study of Africa, the kids were inspired to raise money to better the educational system in Africa. We choose the DD Dliwayo School in Soweto because we had seen your amazing photos, and that was a tangible image the kids could use as motivation. We brainstormed several ways to raise money, and settled on selling glowing wristbands under the catch phrase "Glowing With Hope". Each morning 5 child volunteers would come in and work the sales table. After just one week of selling glow bracelets for $1, 22 6-7 year olds had raised $577. They were so proud of themselves! As a teacher, that's a lesson that is priceless. A lesson that not only makes a child smarter, but a better person all around.

DD Dliwayo School

As I sat down tonight to go through the film for the DD Dliwayo School I didn't expect to get emotional. Something came over me though. The acute pain for those children when there just came rushing back over me. I was reminded of their discipline, their resolve to learn under the cirmcumstances, and their overwhelming joy.
May I say again how proud I am of all the people that saw something special in those kids and gave without reservation. My heart is truly full with gratitude for knowing each of you, even if its only by name, email address, and T shirt size.
Once again, here's a glimpse of the lives you've touched.

The school's principal:




























I have learned so much through this experience. By nature I'm a very hesitant person and have a strong fear of failure. I almost chickened out on doing the donation idea, just because I feared that the whole thing would bomb and no one would donate. I remember finally get up the nerve to click "publish post" in blogger for that post. My fears quickly melted away as my heart was warmed by your donations within minutes of posting. Because of you, my heart will be little less fearful the next time I have a cool opportunity to share. People honestly want to help those in need and often just need an outlet to channel their feelings of goodwill and charity.

The school is still sorting through how they are going to best spend the money we raise and I should have an updated in a few months as to how the money was used.

Three more items of business:
1. If your T-shirt didn't make it, please let us know so that we can send you another one ( email josh@abryanphoto.com). I am so so sorry if it hasn't come through yet. Since I have never done a web store and had to set it up with a fulfillment company after the project was over, it took us longer to get things out. You all have been so understanding and patient throughout this whole process. Thank you for being so understanding.
2. For those that bought the custom prints, they are currently in the hands of the brothers Hanson and should be getting framed soon.
3. Someone recently asked me when I was going to post the pictures of all those that donated. I had forgotten that I never posted it! To check out the supporters, click here.

Thanks again to all of you. You have enriched my life.

Update on The DD Dliwayo School.

Many of you have asked about the T-shirts and I'm happy to announce that the orders began shipping today! If you haven't gotten your order by December 28th please let me know. I appreciate your patience up to this point because I have never had to fulfill t shirt orders. We just figured it out when I got back from Africa and we are now ready to rock and roll!

The custom Hanson print:



These are going to be a bit longer until fulfillment because we are still working through the best way to frame them where the Hanson guys can sign them but we hope to get them printed by the end of next week. Also, I thought I had sold all 10 but the last print actually fell through. If any of you want the last of this very rare yet special Hanson piece, let me know at info@abryanphoto.com. The cost of this framed print is $750.

The school is working on a list to show what all your money is going towards and they are also anxious to get in touch with several of you who want to help them out further. Thanks again for all that you guys have done for this special school. It truly is remarkable!

The video!

Here is the video of us giving the check to the school. The principal couldn't be there unfortunately but Ella (on the left), a devoted and spirited worker for the school, came in his place. Her sister Catherine ( on the right ) came as well. They were so floored! Ella told me that she wants to take before and after pictures to show you all the changes that you were able to make in the school. Thanks again!

The final amount is.....$15,000!!

I'm at the airport about to take off for home, but I had to post a quick blog and let you know that we were able to give a check for $15,000 to the school! They were absolutely blown away, and they immediately began naming off all the things they could buy for the students with the money. When I get home, I plan on talking with them further about how we can partner with them in the future. They are also going to take pictures of before and after so that you all can see what your money went towards. We got a video of them receiving the check, and I hope to post it in a couple of days.

Once again you guys are amazing. I'm completely blown away and forever indebted to you all.
USA here we come!

Bj

We did it!

We just hit $14,000! We went way above and beyond our goal. Somebody pinch me.

Closer, Closer...

We have raised over $9000 for the school!

Unfortunately, I haven't had a moment to sit down and calculate the exact total. Emails were coming in right and left today with donations, and I was trying to keep track of where we are in my head. Rebecca has been helping me tally all the money, and we are going to go over all the numbers in the morning. I will be able to post something more definite then. I'm sorry its vague, but I've been trying to run this while I'm also running around shooting in Capetown! Thank you so much for your patience with me throughout all this. I know alot of you have emailed and proposed some cool ideas to me, but at this time I am not able to process it all. Some people have asked if we can make the project more than just a one time thing, so that you could invest more into the lives of the children. Amazing ideas by the way! I love where your hearts are and that you have a strong desire to help these students. I haven't had enough time to really think long term and probably won't consider it until I can get back to the States and on my feet again. I will probably need a few weeks to process it all before making any further decisions. Thanks again for your patience.

For now, I'm going to post a few shots from Day 3 that I have yet to be able to post. We were still with the TOMS guys and Hanson gave us all a campfire concert. The night was filled with sing-a-long hysteria. Enjoy the shots!

$8,000!

Hello from Capetown!
I have an awful internet connection with limited time but wanted to update you on some exciting developments. We have just crossed the $8,000 mark! You all are seriously unbelievable. My blackberry buzzes about every 5 minutes with a new donation, and I can't help but grin each time it happens. We are all having dinner tonight and my blackberry buzzed three different occasions, all for the Limited Edition Print! The whole crew was high fiving, we were so thrilled with your generosity.

Let's get it to $10,000 before Sunday night! I am looking forward to seeing the look of the face of that principal when he sees the check. I can't wait to tell him of all your support of these kid's future. We will have very limited internet for the next few days but I'm going to do my best to pop on and let you know where we stand.

Good night, and keep it up!

Bj

Limited Edition Framed Hanson Print

We are at $5,000 and halfway home to our goal! The Hanson guys were so proud of what you were able to do that they wanted to send you a special message and present ten lucky fans with this special offering:



Purchase this 16 x 20 print for $750 and all the proceeds will go directly to the school this Monday:


It will be professionally framed and matted. The back of the print will be personally signed by the Hanson guys. These are limited edition and only ten will be donated! Act fast if you want one. They will go very quickly!

To secure yours, purchase it here through PayPal.

Limited Edition Framed Print

Order HereLimited Edition Framed Print

Donate any amount of money here:

The guys and I can't stop talking about how moved we are by your absolute willingness to help out with such a worthy cause. Remember your smaller donations of $5 and $10 dollars are making such a big impact. Please know that you can make a difference with just a little bit of cash. We will be traveling tomorrow and won't be posting at all during the day but please keep spreading the word while we are away! I'm hoping to have internet at our next hotel and I will be able to continue to update you with where we are with our goal.
Cheers.
Bj

In 2 hours...

there is another big announcement. I promise I won't make you wait this time.

Ngi Ne Themba (I have hope)

Keep it Coming for the Kids of the DD Dliwayo School!

We just hit $2,000 and its only been 16 hours since the original post! I'm seriously blown away by the generosity of the online community. My new goal is for us to raise $10,000 grand before tomorrow night for these amazing kids. What do you think? Ridiculous? Too lofty or too easy? You guys don't even know what kind of difference you are going to make. These kids will be the future of South Africa, some of the only advocates of hope in a nation decimated by fear and death ( 60% of the students at theDD Dliwayo School live with their grandparents or siblings because their parents have died of HIV or AIDS ). We got to go to the Civic Center in Joburg and hear many city council members talking about the future of this city and nation. They were expressing that one big problem is that because of poverty and HIV the kids become a liability to the nation at such a young age. By giving to the students of the DD Dliwayo School, you have a chance to help raise up children who will be a blessing to the community of Joburg and South Africa . Children who will influence their friends, neighborhoods and family. These kids have so much promise yet still so much need.



On another note, people have been asking about sizes. The guys shirts run pretty normal in size and the girls shirt is very much a fitted tee. I'm not going to say it runs small, but it is the type of shirt you would wear out. Its not the type of shirt you wear with your pajamas, but instead to dinner and a movie. Does that help? Actually, click here to see what they look like on the American Apparel website. Does that help?

Also I don't know other ways to give money other than pay pal so if any of you out there have some advice, please let a comment for those that can't seem to use it. If you want to send a check to our studio:
1710 2nd Ave N
#509
Birmingham AL 35203

If you are sending a check, please email me at info@abryanphoto.com and let me know what the amount you are sending so that I can add it to the total amount that I give the principal on Monday.



I also noticed that some of you want to give but can't give $30. You have to understand that every bit of this money counts! $5 will mean 3 kids don't have to share a text book anymore. That is huge! Anything you can contribute can change so much.

If any of you want to offer something to people and have the proceeds go to the DD Dliwayo School, I will link to your site from my blog! What do you think?

My heart is so full on this Thanksgiving day. Ash and Noah, I miss you so much. 1-4-3.

I'm thankful for...YOU.

When I posted this entry last night I had no clue how many responses I would get. I posted it about 2 a.m. here in SA and was planning on just hitting the bed because we're gonna head out to a local hospital (the one that proceeds from the Hanson song "Great Divide" went to) early this morning, but the giving started happening fast and I couldn't fall asleep! I was lying in bed with the lights out and my laptop on my chest just watching the PayPal confirmation emails roll in! You guys blew me away with how fast you responded and how generous you have been. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude towards you. When you are sitting around the Thanksgiving table today and you are listing what you are thankful for, know that we will have already listed you (trust me, I'm at least 8 hours ahead of you at the moment). If you have any friends and family that want to take part in something meaningful on this Turkey Day, tell them about the school.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is amazing!
More to come...

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).