Velcro Gallery Event Raises Funds for Wells in Africa

4th Street Studios’ event venue was the location for an inspiring fundraising event. The current exhibition at the Velcro Gallery is a stunning series of portraits of people in Africa and India shot by Rudi Dundas funded by a grant by the Blue Planet Network. Photographer Dundas hosted the event on November 30 featuring special guest from Kenya, Sabore Ole Oyie, wearing traditional tribal garb.

Mr. Oyie is a founder of the Oldonyo Orasha Water Project in Ewaso Nyiro Kenya, which was established to bring clean fresh drinking water to his community. In addition to the obvious health benefits, young girls in the community are freed from walking long distances with their mothers to collect water from the river. This in turn allows them the opportunity to attend school and receive an education. Mr. Oyie’s original project was to build 2 wells for his village, but after attending an intensive workshop at Santa Clara University his vision was augmented. His new inspiring challenge is to build 400 wells for his community.

Mr. Oyie is an engaging speaker. He held the audience spellbound as he talked about living traditional Maasai ways. He showed his hand-made weapons used for hunting and self-defense against lions, elephants and other dangerous wildlife.

The Velcro Gallery was alive with people enjoying the vibrant portraits. Seating in the spacious main studio allowed good sightlines for everyone to enjoy the program.

Contact Information

Rudi Dundas www.rudidundas.com

Blue Planet Network: http://www.blueplanetnetwork.org/sabore

Sabore Ole Oyie: saboyie@yahoo.com

Therese Hjelm (local contact) terez25@sbcglobal.net (650)255-7221