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Two budding entrepreneurs at the farmer's market

Two of our Eco-Club members, Tebatso and Kagiso, make clay animals in their spare time to sell. They are very good at it and had the opportunity to sell them at a community farmer's market in August 2016. With DAKTARI's help, they set up a stand and sold 7 animals while striking up a partnership to sell them permanently at a local craft shop. We are excited to see them excelling with their art and using their profits to treat themselves!

I'd like to tell you the story of Kagiso and Tebatso, two DAKTARI Eco-Club members who have shown tremendous artistic talent. The boys, who are long time participants of Eco-Club, were inspired last year by the lesson "Art and Recycling", during which they discovered their talent in making animals out of recycled wire. They went home and surprised us the next week with an ostrich, elephant, giraffe, impala, monkey, and shark, all first drawn on paper and then perfectly copied into bends of the wire! Later, during the rainy summer weeks, they began making clay animals. They collect and form clay into the shape of an animal, bake it in a homemade kiln, and paint it. Their portfolio is very impressive: everything from rhinos and elephants, to kudu, warthog, and even porcupines! Last month, DAKTARI and the NPO Nourish were able to provide an opportunity for the young men to sell their creations at the local farmer's market in Hoedspruit. After some initial shyness, they opened up and were spectacular salesmen. The sold many of the animals; customers were especially taken by the detailing of the porcupines! Kagiso and Tebatso's animals are now on display at DAKTARI, as well as at a local Craft Shop. They have realized that they can work hard and use their natural artistic talent to have fun, and get an income too! Kagiso, who will be in the 12th grade next year, has expressed an interest in pursuing an Art Degree after high school.

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