There was something about this image that struck me as twisted. To play nonchalantly next to fresh graves seems to be a more regular occurrence for kids there.

If you’ve been following my blog at all, you’ve probably learned that I’ve recently completed a series of 15 paintings which were used to illustrate a book. For a while after I’d completed the project, I was most confused with what I should do with the original paintings. I had galleries inquiring, people inquiring, etc.

It was at this time that some friends of mine told me about their experiences in Africa, and what they were planning on doing to make a difference in Swaziland in particular. Click here for more details.

For about a month, I was ruminating over how I could personally get involved with the efforts in Africa, all the while still considering how to use my gifts in art for the good of man. When…BAM! It was as if my thoughts about Africa and my thoughts about art completely aligned.

So, here’s the deal…

I will be selling the majority of the paintings from the “Morning is Come” series and donating 100% of the profit to Vanguard’s efforts in Swaziland, Africa. If you like my paintings, you’ll be investing in an incredible cause by purchasing. To view them, you can visit leoragardner.com.

Let’s recap:

Everyone knows that Africa is going through hard times.

At least everyone with access to a television, a newspaper or the Internet. Bono raised awareness for the One Campaign which charges Americans to do something about the emergency of global AIDs and extreme poverty. On top of that, the (RED) campaign has been launched making it easy for anyone to contribute financially to the African (and global) crisis. All you have to do is buy a (RED) product and up to 50% of the profit will be donated to buy AIDs drugs for mothers and children in Africa.

There are countless other organizations out there who are getting involved and encouraging people to take small steps that make a big difference in the lives of those less fortunate.

I’d like you to be aware of one effort that I’m especially excited about: the sponsoring of a Care Point in Swaziland, Africa. Read on…

I think a lot of us, if we had the means, would do as much as we could to help the hurting. Sometimes we become desensitized to extreme poverty and disease because our minds can only handle so much. Too many news reports, too many books written, or too many death tolls taken and we just zone it all out and get comfortable.

All it takes, however, is one authentic encounter with a person who is struggling (a widow or an orphan) and our priorities are redrawn.

I have never been to Africa, but I know a lot of people who are passionate about changing lives and making a difference there. Some friends of mine from Vanguard Church took a trip to Swaziland a few months ago. See map below:

According to them, “Approximately 46% of Swaziland’s total population is infected with HIV (population is 1.2 million, that is 552,000 people). Because of HIV/Aids there are over 150,000 orphans and vulnerable children living in Swaziland. Most people are dying at home. Children are attempting to take care of their parents.”

After learning of the crisis in Swaziland, Vanguard will be moving forward with plans to make a difference in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) there. Specifically, they will be working to sponsor a Care Point (and potentially several Care Points) in the nation.

The Vanguard website states that “Care Points serve as gathering places for the OVCs in a given community. Each Care Point varies in what it offers for the children, but the basic reason for existence is food. As long as there is food to be given out the children will gather. Some of the Care Points offer informal education. Some of the Care Points attempt agricultural projects, but these are complicated by the fact that the majority of the locations don’t have a water source nearby. A few of the Care Points have very motivated ‘caregivers’ who do their best to also provide social interaction for the children in the form of games and songs. The number of children serviced by each Care Point varies between 30-125.”

My heart is broken over these morbid statistics, but I’m incredibly hopeful that change is on the horizon. I’d like to help (and get YOU excited about helping) sponsor these efforts in Swaziland, Africa.

In my next post, I’ll give a better explanation about what I’m planning on doing.