Artists for Charity (AFC), a non-profit organization based out of Ethiopia, is a group of not only artists, but also other volunteers from all walks of life, that works for educating and providing awareness to individuals who reside in developing nations.
The organization hopes to aid in providing a fair chance for the less-fortunate, specifically with education and health care. The organization works with artists from around the world to utilize art to not only educate children, but to also raise money for the programs or projects AFC is working on.
The programs range from a children’s home located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which provides food, shelter, medicine and educational opportunities for HIV-positive orphans from the area. The orphanage is currently operating at almost maximum capacity, and utilizes funding generated by the selling of donated art works for much of their budget.
The home works hand-in-hand with artists to not only raise money, but to also bring artists over to work with the children at the home. The Desta Project was created by the children and artists together to help bring together talent and skills to raise money and educate the kids about art.
They also have an artist-in-residence program, which allows an artist to create art in a challenging environment; they volunteer their time in exchange for a residence and studio space in Ethiopia. Artists are responsible for their travel expenses, but living expenses once you are there are provided. They have an active gallery on the Web site, and they work with the artist-in-residence to place their work in galleries throughout the United States to raise money for AFC. They have other volunteer opportunities based on skill sets as well. More information can be found on their Web site at www.artistsforcharity.org.
As far as a less travel-heavy option for people who still want to be involved, there is also the Art Pen Pal program. Each pen pal works with a child from the AFC program, not only on the written correspondence level, but also working to get the child’s art and message to galleries in the area. AFC provides the materials for printing and shipping of art, and the pen pal aids in the education in their community about AFC and the current state of life for orphans affected by HIV/AIDS.
There are multiple ways to aid children from around the world just by using art, and AFC is just one organization trying to bring together art and charity. Their Web site has more information on just donating to the program, or volunteer opportunities.
