INTO THE WOODS AND THE WOOD CARVER'S CAMP (April 1, 2016 update)

This is the 4th time we have worked with our carvers, so we want you to meet them. This has been a very harsh year for them because of their badly declining economy. We visited them several times in between working with our orphans, and projects with Trust, Modestar and Nyaradzo.

Please meet Mdumiso (pronounced M-doo-mee-so). He actually specializes in carving elephants in many different modes and iron wood giraffes.

Joe Ndlovu's (Nd-lo-vu) name means "elephant,' and he makes elephants as well, and charming salt and pepper shakers.

This is Kennais, and he is the bowl and basket master. All of the carvers are multi-talented. HHTH buys pieces of art from almost all of them so we can sell them at Fund Raisers.  It feels good to know we are supporting these men and their families.

Janco brought out some of the Bibles we brought. We distributed many with the orphans and our carvers. They plead to have their own Bible. Then other people around town hear about us and we give to whoever wants one.

CJ and Sidney dispense new, brightly colored T-Shirts to each carver. They really love to get something new for a change. These were from the T-Shirt drive by our Kenwod Church. They were greatly appreciated.

Here, I am chatting with Jabulani (which means happy or joyful). He spreads a lot of smiles. Jabulani is showing his panel that shows the history of slavery in Zimbabwe. It is an amazing piece of art! I realized I could not leave it there. It is actually the story of humankind. It has an amazing story behind it and a story about getting it ready for me.

You must come over and witness it yourself. It is breathtaking

Here is Douglas Mcube (M-coo-be). Douglas carves the salad sets,, you see here. Plus giraffe statues and bowls.

Tanja Mufunda carves a plethora of finely detailed small and large bowls.

Admire Muzaza carves incredible animal heads and big 5 statues. Admire gave me a beautiful red beaded necklace as a gift from his heart.

This is David Wakatirinda and his younger brother Trafadzwa. David is one of the finest artists I've ever been privileged to know. He is at the Master level. Trafadzwa is apprenticing under David. I will bring back two extraordinary pieces back to the USA to enjoy.

John Muteedzi created a unique jewelry box of elephants for me. And he created a procession of elephants migrating across an arc. Stunning.

Mashonga Kudakwashe carved elegant panels for us. He is the vice Chairman of their Big Five Co-op.

We have known Amos Ngula since our first visit. He is battling AIDS and cannot carve every day. I had him carve a unique African chess 
set.

Vusa Ngwenya is the Rhino expert. He did not disappoint us.


Prince and Justin show off the panels they carved for us.

And here, all our artists put on their new shirt for a Kodak moment. They are so proud of their bright colored shirts and for the pieces of art they created for us.

Driving down the road in Botswana, we saw one elephant after another. Instead of seeing stray dogs or road side parks, we saw elephants, Cape buffalo, giraffes, wart hogs, baboons and more.

There is nothing like an afternoon drive in Botswana.

Until the next time, this is Sidney signing off in the Bush.