CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS SOUTH AFRICA NEWS! Our sock monkeys are already at work!

Riley's monkey in South Africa at Artist Residency with Project Khuphuka (Monkey #66 "Bones")

Lucas's monkey in South Africa at Artist Residency with Project Khuphuka (Monkey # 96 "Alex")

The Clowns have been working orphans and vulnerable children and their guardians in partnership with the Khuphuka Project in Umqatsheni, KwaZulu-Natal.  “We are telling stories, practicing mindfulness, and playing games as we explore ways of connecting through play and creativity for orphans and their guardians affected by HIV/AIDS… Project Siyazisiza (Helping Ourselves) and Project Siyajabula (We are Happy) focuses on providing children and guardians affected by HIV/AIDS with the opportunity to reawaken to joy and happiness while finding the means to cope with stress and challenges in life.”  Our sock monkeys are used in the therapeutic process!

Sock monkeys getting ready for a residency. All homemade by crafters from Woza Moya in Ixopo thanks to Operation Sock Monkey!

Nadia Maria Caldeira and Nomfezeko Sussie Mjwara gnashing their terrible teeth as they narrate Where the Wild Things Are to the children in Chibini.

WORKSHOPS IN AUGUST!

I’m planning some sock monkey and some drawing workshops in August at the North Vancouver Opus Art Store Classroom (2nd and Lonsdale, North Vancouver BC).  Gathering input right now as to times and dates you may be interested in… they would run 3 hours each and all materials including handouts are included in the $65 fee- max people per workshop: 24.  Feedback please!  Do you prefer weekday evenings or Saturdays?

Cher’s sock monkey adventures!

Cher (Kat’s “sis”) is well on her way to becoming a sock monkey fanatic!  In fact, she already is!  She recently brought kits along to Ontario when visiting family…

Here's a pic of Cher a few months ago with her first ever sock monkey in progress. This monkey was part of the first shipment to Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa!

Cher's first sock monkey's passport photo!

Ooooh, this is a good one! Made in Ontario!

Cher's second ever monkey was a hit by the looks of it!

KLASS-OPERATION SOCK MONKEY UPDATE!

Head clown, Clowns Without Borders South Africa, Jamie McLaren Lachman writes:

“Monkeys on my roof and in my car.” !!!

Jamie, Clowns Without Borders South Africa

Ashleigh and Hannah make sock monkeys for friends!

Family friends were over for a visit… that means SOCK MONKEY MAKING TIME!  I mean, what else would they make?!  These two “GET IT”…  Bravo, ladies!  Love, Kat

Note on Kat’s car on July 1, 2010

Kat’s car was full of monkeys for two days…  She found this blue note on her car!

Update on our 40 sock monkeys headed to Kwa-Zulu Natal via Canada Post airmail: on July 2, 2010 “International items released from Customs to Foreign Postal Administration”!!!  For more info go to: PASSPORTS

AFRICA BOUND! Scroll down for KLASS-OSM UPDATES!

SEE ALSO: PASSPORTS

READ MORE ON KLASS’s OPERATION SOCK MONKEY: KLASS-OSM

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Now you can support our drive online- through purchase of Kat’s POST STREET sock creations or donation via PAYPAL!  Go to Kat’s POST STREET STORE!

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UPDATE March 7, 2010

At least 35-40 out of our goal of 100 sock monkeys by Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary for Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) and Clowns without Borders completed! Homerooms 1C and 2E have already had OSM sessions and staff members like Auntie Lynn, Deb, Lucas, Jen, Carole, Lenore are making their own monkeys.  Staff like Erica, Brad, Janice and Ian are sponsoring monkeys to help the project.

Thanks to students and staff for their help and enthusiasm during this amazing project!  I appreciate you!!!

Can’t wait for the 100 monkey group shot! Mid to end of April is the target date!

♥ -Kat

PS. Go to CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS VISIT SUDAN to see the organization in action!

UPDATE March 29, 2010

We’re up to 50+ monkeys!  Homerooms 1C, 2E and 1C have had OSM sessions.  The 2B’s and the 1A’s are lined up for April.  Staff- Lynn, Deb, Lenore, Jen, Carole have made sock monkeys in addition to those done in class!  Deb and Lynn have gone nuts!  How many is it now?!  Doreen and Erica made a generous contribution of much needed of stuffing!  Thank you to staff sponsors!  Carole is arranging an OSM night with Kat for friends on April 6th!  ONLINE FUNDRAISING PUSH COMING SOON!

As of April 6, 2010 we’ll have made at least 79 monkeys!!!

The FIRST INSTALLMENT of 100+ sock monkeys  will be sent to Africa around April 30, 2010, to support the work of OPERATION SOCK MONKEY- an initiative in support of Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA) providing laughter, hope and healing to communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

UPDATE April 6, 2010

An evening at CAROLE’s! It was amazing!  My brother, Fredrik, filmed it and my sister-in-law, Char, joined Carole, Sheila, Debbie, Carol, Laurie, Barb, Kerry, Susan, Diane, Rose, and Viv- we made monkeys, Carole sewed clothes for the monkeys, we laughed, ate, drank, chatted and felt the power of sock monkey making!  Thank you Ladies! (and Fred!)  And a huge thank you to Carole for opening her home and her generous hospitality.  Additional friends sponsored the Operation: Shelley, Roberta, Kerry, Delaney, Cathy… HUGE THANKS to all of you!  Carole will be taking photos of her friends and their finished monkeys before adding the new recruits to the pile.

UPDATE April 12, 2010

2B’s Operation Sock Monkey morning coming up on April 15!  1B’s finish their monkeys on April 14!

UPDATE April 13, 2010

Any staff that have made monkeys for this instalment of KLASS-OSM Africa- please bring them in week of April 26th for photo shoots and prep for shipping!  Monkeys made by students that need finishing and finesse will be prepped by certain AT students next week as required.  All monkeys will have labels with the first name of the original maker.

PHOTO SHOOT!  Before being shipped, each KLASS-OSM sock monkey headed to Clowns Without Borders will be individually photographed by Kat’s son, Julian- yearbook/passport style.  A new website page will be created where you can view each heartbreaking portrait!  They will sit in this fabulous vintage chair that Kat bought in Fort Langley:

UPDATE April 21, 2010

My son will be coming in on planning day (the 30th) to spend a time doing “passport/yearbook shots” of each of the monkeys going in this FIRST wave to Africa. We’ll use photo lights and my son’s super-nice camera etc. I’ll be making a special website page for the photos. I have the 2A’s for 3 blocks tomorrow and the 2B’s for one block next week and a wrap-up block for certain students to help finish remaining monkeys. Next week we’ll get the homerooms together who participated for a group shot for the district website- homerooms 1B, 1C, 1A, 2B, 2E plus staff who participated and donated. Thanks everyone for your help!!! I’ll be contacting the media regarding the story and I have an invite to go to South Africa with OSM  if we get grant funding!  Shipping is likely mid May. Before Friday the 30th all monkeys will be finalized, receive surgical TLC, labeled and decorated with all original creators names on them. It’s been a great team effort seeing kids help each other and work on motor skills etc and experiencing the power of philanthropy.  - Kat

UPDATE April 27, 2010

My goodness!  Carole brought in the monkeys she and her friends made!  They were all adorned with beautiful costumes and brimming with personality!  2A’s continued their Operation Sock Monkey sessions started last week and tomorrow homeroom 1D joins in!  CRAZY!  Carole has made a fantastic large Operation Sock Monkey sign- so next week we’ll get all the kids and staff who have participated in KLASS-OSM via making monkeys or through donations together and take THE BIG SHOT!  I am so excited seeing people so happy!  Staff are carrying monkeys around, I find staff in corners sewing and my art therapy room stays open past 4 PM with people sewing sewing sewing!  I was saying to a colleague today that I love thinking about all the thoughts contained in the monkeys- how the maker has sat in deep thought and each stitch contains a thought, a thread, a journey…

Visit:

1. OPERATION SOCK MONKEY CONTINUES AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL!

2. OPERATION SOCK MONKEY CONTINUES AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL! PART 2

UPDATE MAY 1, 2010

Julian Bowers, Kat’s son, came into the art therapy room on Friday April 30 and photographed 99 monkeys!  There are 50-100 more monkeys to go! Some are completed and still at people’s homes, some are under construction and in bins in the art therapy room, some are still being dreamt of. We have increased our goal from the initial 30 –> 100 –> 150 –> 200!!! Can we do it?  The fever continues and we’ll at least send as many as we have in the first wave!!!  The rest can be the start of the second wave!  It is such a rewarding program for all involved, it generates its own momentum.  To see the passport photos visit:  PASSPORT.

UPDATE MAY 29, 2010

KLASS OPERATION SOCK MONKEY UPDATE! MORE SOCK MONKEYS WILL BE FINISHED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND PASSPORT PHOTOS TAKEN!  KAT HAS A HUGE BAG AT HOME OF MONKEYS IN NEED OF SURGICAL REPAIR AND CAN’T WAIT TO ADD THEM TO OUR PILE OF GLORY!!!

THE MAIL OUT IS DELAYED FOR A WHILE AS WE WAIT WORD FROM THE CLOWNS WHERE TO SEND THEM AND RAISE FUNDS FOR SHIPPING.  THERE IS ALSO A FUNDRAISING PUSH HAPPENING TO HELP COVER SOME OF OUR COSTS AND TO SUPPORT GALLERY GACHET.

Sock Monkey Making Workshop (@ Gallery Gachet – Thurs June 10th, 7pm)

In the spirit of the exhibit at Gallery Gachet: Animals as Subject, Gallery Gachet and KLASS Operation Sock Monkey present a Sock Monkey making workshop.

Update JUNE 11, 2010

The workshop was wonderful and ran until 11:30 PM! Great people, great dog, great music, great monkeys!

Update June 18, 2010

The photo speaks for itself:

UPDATE JULY 4, 2010

“WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The FIRST INSTALLMENT of 40 of 150 sock monkeys  were sent to Africa June 25, 2010 to support the work of OPERATION SOCK MONKEY- an initiative in support of  Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA) providing laughter, hope and healing to communities affected by HIV/AIDS.  The cost to send 40 monkeys via airmail to Kwa-Zulu Natal was astronomical and paid through my own pocket.

PLEASE HELP BY PURCHASING A POST STREET ORIGINAL: 100% of ALL proceeds from Post Street sales  go to support Keith Lynn Alternative Secondary School’s OPERATION SOCK MONKEY DRIVE!  This will cover all materials and shipping costs!

Go to Kat’s POST STREET STORE

Thank you!”

- Kat