Uniformes & Differences

Le Projet

This project started by Designing Hope in 2011 consists in distributing school uniforms for disadvantaged children in Southern Africa. 
This year's campaign will support children from Ladysmith & Kimberley in South Africa, and Piggs Peak in Eswatini (Swaziland).
Designing Hope has a 16 years field experience in these 2 countries. Southern Africa is indeed one of the HIV & AIDS most affected areas in the world. The situation is improving, especially through better distribution of treatment, but many people died in the last 2 decades, and AIDS orphans are very numerous. This project is dedicated to these vulnerable children.
They are very vulnerable children. They are supported by their extended families that often can not afford to properly fund their education.
 In fact, the school system in Southern Africa is very expensive for families, who must take charge of their education, books and school uniform, which is mandatory.
Therefore these children often wear second hand uniforms that they get from an older brother, sister or cousin, and that is torn, patched or not even repairable at all. Uniform, that is supposed to eliminate social differences among children, has an opposite effect. These children are rejected by others because of their appearance, at an age when children are very tough toward each others.

L'exposition "Figures of Fortitude"

L’implication de Thebe Magugu et d’Aart Verrips dans ce projet est forte de sens:

Ces photographies, qui seront exposées à l’occasion de la Journée Mondiale de Lutte contre le sida et jusqu’à la fin décembre, illustrent les actions de l’ONG à plusieurs titres … entre couture et culture:

• Les prises de vues sur des terres agricoles illustrent les projets d’agriculture durable développés par l’ONG pour les patients séropositifs en Afrique australe.
  
• Les créations poétiques et élégantes de Thebe Magugu, photographiées par Aart Verrips, contribuent au financement du projet de couture impliquant directement des femmes africaines. L’attention portée par le créateur africain dont elles admirent les créations,  est une fierté pour ces femmes impliquées elles aussi dans une activité de couture.
  
• Figures of Fortitude, le nom de cette série photographique mettant en scène les créations de Thebe Magugu sur ces corps de paille, illustre la force et la fragilité de la femme africaine, un parallèle fort avec les bénéficiaires du projet de l’association: des femmes séropositives qui ont su se reconstruire et s’impliquer dans un projet social qui soutient leurs enfants. 
  
• Enfin, Thebe Magugu rejoint la longue liste des 80 créateurs de mode internationaux qui ont soutenu Dessine l’Espoir depuis 2003.
• Sensible à cette problématique, le designer soutient personnellement les enfants de sa ville natale de Kimberley. Un quart des fonds recueillis par Dessine l'Espoir reviendront ainsi aux enfants de sa communauté.
  

This year fundraising campaign is organized together with an exhibition organized with Parisian gallery Umcebo: Figures of Fortitude. Photographs can be booked online on the following link: www.umcebo.com/boutique

This exhibition presents South-African fashion designer Thebe Magugu’s collections Photographed by Aart  Verrips on scarecrows in south African fields…
All profits of this exhibition will fundraise  This year edition of Uniform and Differences.
Thebe Magugu’s involvement in this project is very symbolic and strong.
The designer was very sensitive to this issue, supporting personally children in his hometown of Kimberley. 
Photographs that will be exhibited in Paris in the Gallery Umcebo at the occasion of World Aids Day and until the end of December, are also illustrating the Ngo’s actions in many ways, between sewing and sawing… 

• The set up in fields illustrate the sustainable agriculture projects developed by the NGO for HIV patients in Southern Africa.
• The poetic and elegant creations of Thebe Magugu photographed by Aart Verrips, are contributing to fund a sewing project benefiting African women.
  These women are extremely proud of this prestigious support.
• Figures of Fortitude, the name of this series of pictures on scarecrows, illustrates the strength and fragility of Women, such an incredible parallel with the beneficient of this project, HIV affected women, who successfully fought against stigma, overcome critical financial situations to often raise their children alone .
• Finally, Thebe Magugu is joining the long list of international fashion designers who have been supporting Designing Hope since 2003.
  Objectifs

Objectives

Our aim is to distribute 500 school uniforms with your support!

• 250 will be distributed in 6 schools supported by Designing Hope in Swaziland since 2011.
  
• 125 will be  for Roosboom, a poor suburb of Ladysmith in South Africa, where Designing Hope supports a day care home (Half Way House) for orphans.
  
• 125 will benefit disadvantage children from Kimberley, home town of South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu, supporting this year edition.

Each children need can be different, and depending on the funds raised, we will offer to the children additional quality shoes, sweaters for girls and boys, because winters are very cold, and support more children during the year, as the need is HUGE! ...

A local production which also benefits to a group of HIV-positive women
Designing Hope launched this school uniform distribution project in 2011 within a support group of HIV-positive women in Swaziland who are also beneficiaries of the project.  

Designing Hope organized a professional training in sewing for these women, and supplied them with professional sewing machines and patterns for each tunic model.They can supply locally the uniforms in the colors and sizes needed for children identified in each partner school. They have already made more than 1,500 uniforms in recent years, and this activity gives them an income and an a valuable professional experience.

Echéancier de l'action

Ce projet bénéficiera aux enfants pour l’année scolaire 2020 qui débute mi Janvier.

La distribution sera organisée fin mars 2020, après avoir identifié les enfants à aider prioritairement,  et fabriqué les jupes et les chemises.

Les contreparties offertes aux donateurs seront disponibles à la fin de l'opération le 20 décembre.

Timeline of the project

This project will benefit children for 2020's school year (beginning in January).
Distribution will start end of March 2020, after identifying the needy children, and manufacturing the skirts and shirts.
Rewards offered to the donors will be available after the 20st of December.

Contreparties

Nous avons prévu des contreparties pour vos dons! 

a découvrir ci dessous...

Vous pouvez choisir les photographies en ligne sur le site de la galerie: www.umcebo.com/boutique

Ce projet a un impact réel sur la vie de ces enfants. 
Il les aide à retrouver leur dignité et les encourage dans leurs études.

Merci d'avance pour votre participation!  

This project has a real impact on the lives of these children: 
it help them regain their dignity and actually encourage them in their studies.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!