Spotlight on a Guinea Kid: Bosana (Ismael) Toure

To know 16 year old Bosana Toure (aka Ismael) is to know a bright and shining star. When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Ismael describes the role of an ambassador. A most charismatic young person, Ismael maintains his zest for life despite the tragic hardships he has recently endured.

Bosana took the name Ismael after both of his parents were killed in a car accident when he was 13. This has been a tenuous period for Ismael and school. After his parents’ death, he lost interest in school and was found to be wandering his neighborhood instead of attending school. GKEF board members Karim Koumbassa and Alya Koumbassa both counseled Ismael, having brotherly heart to heart talks and encouraging him to stay in school. He continues with school and the GKEF program and he is our student in the highest level: year 8.

Ismael has a gift for creative and entrepreneurial intelligence. His capacity for learning is great and his potential needs to be guided and challenged by a supportive, high quality education experience.

You can support a bright future for Ismael and many other children like him by making a donation today.

Inawali! (Thank you in Sousou)

Drawing Together: Site Specific Installations

Last spring, K.I.D.S. Art Education teaching artist Ruth Wetzel led local children and family members in an art making exploration at the Kentler International Drawing Space. In response to the installations of Mary Ting and Ilene Sunshine, participants created their own installations. After examining the work in the gallery through inquiry and observational drawing, partners worked with post-its, twigs, ribbons, tape, toilet paper rolls, pencils, Styrofoam meat trays, oval-cut mats, and phone cords to change the materials and then arrange them in an assigned section of the room. These site specific installations were terrific displays of collaboration and imagination and were poetic reflections on materials, the space and the artwork by Ilene Sunshine and Mary Ting that was already occupying the space.  Everyone had a great time!