Dear Supporters of Zimbabwean sculptors

The Zimbabwe Sculptors Association is appealing for your help. It has become apparent that there is no assistance at present for the 100's of sculptors across Zimbabwe. Many are already hungry and we need to act swiftly to help them and their families cope. Many sculptors as you know live from day to day on the sales of their sculpture, with no savings. We hope that none of our sculptors will be effected by this pandemic. Being based in Harare we can help coordinate aid whilst in self-isolation, which as a nation, we have to do.

Whilst we are all feeling the impact of cancelled shows, events and closed galleries, may we please take a moment to think about the sculptors whose entire livelihoods have stopped overnight, with no safety net or state aid. It makes more sense to coordinate a collective effort to ensure all families are covered than to avoid duplication of individuals effort.

We have contacted the Leading sculptors at each Art Centre and area to gather names and numbers in need of assistance, with the criteria of those who have been sculpting for longer than 4 years. We are currently looking at approximately 600 sculptors.

With the help of EcoCash - a method of payment via a cell phone, we can send funds to each artist, wherever they may be in Zimbabwe. This is the safest and quickest solution.

With the aim of accomplishing our target, this would give on average USD$40 per sculptor, for food USD$15 and calculating an average rent of USD$25 for two rooms in a house, for a month. The funds will be distributed fairly amongst sculptors, according to donations received, whether it is more or less. ALL donations will be given to sculptors and documented, which can be sent on request. Any amount will be helpful, whether it's a single lump sum or smaller amounts, every so often. Anything you can afford will be gratefully received and much needed.

Art Centres and Areas registered so far are; Tengenenge, Chitungwiza, Guruve, Mvurwi, Hatfield, Tafara & Mabvuku, Silveira, Mbare, Ruwa, Nyanga, Domboshawa and independent or family groups of sculptors.

As you can imagine this has taken some coordination and time on all of our parts, but we hope that it will be worth it for everyone.

Please feel free to call, WhatsApp or email any of us to discuss further. Let's ALL work together for a common goal. Any help you can give in terms of fundraising or ideas would be very much appreciated too. Please send me your name to add to the list of supporters below.

Thank you

Taurai Tigere, Chairman, Zimbabwe Sculptors Association tautiger@gmail.com +263 772 598060

Vivienne Prince, Campaign Manager, vivprince@hotmail.com +263 772 907758