Thundafund Launch

 https://www.thundafund.com/ProjectDetails.aspx?projectId=193

I have been busy this month with other work. I worked in the movies doing props and set dressing for 3 commercials back to back over 2 weeks. And I have been setting up the Thundafund crowd sourcing/funding campaign.

I was first exposed to crowd funding and specifically Thundafund at the Open Design festival in the city hall during winter. It struck me as a kinder, more humane, community focussed approach to generating funds for a project.

It took me a while to understand how this format could be applied to The Educators New Clothes. I also had to get really clear on my objectives.

The campaign is to generate funds to finance a South African tour of The Educators New Clothes. Support can be given in the following manner:

• Cast on: by showing support you become a friend on the wall of friends page
• Knit 1, purl 1: R50, THEEDUCATORSNEWCLOTHES postcard with a piece of paper yarn stitched to it
• French knitting: R100, sms/whatsapp conversation on the state of education
• Higher Diploma: R300, square of knitting +/- 15x15cm http://goo.gl/wbUF0M
• Degree: R500, ball of alphabet yarn http://goo.gl/npmbw5
• Honours: R500, personalised ball of yarn http://goo.gl/WFwBAb
• Master Knitting Class: R1000, knitting circle in my studio
• Victor and Victrix Ludorum: R5000, hosting of an event which features THEEDUCATORSNEWCLOTHS
• Vice Chancellor: R23000, sale of the first piece of fabric http://goo.gl/gtQoEe
  
  

  

At The Launch

One conversation on education stood out: A woman spoke of how the singing of hymns in the morning during assembly would ground her and neutralise the negativity she experience at home. Although she wasn’t particularly religious, she found refuge in the singing of these songs. We spoke about the role of spiritual instruction at school, which seems to be a sticky subject most often avoided.

How can spiritual matters be address in education? Is it appropriate to be in schools? Can real learning occur without it?

There were also conversations about language. An Italian woman studying Linguistics spoke how local students are protesting about compulsory learning of local (other than English) languages. She welcomes the opportunity as it enriches her learning.

A British woman regretted that lack of exposure (and lack of motivation) to learn other languages when she was studying in the UK.

I have recently learned how to slide text, and am intrigued how technology is changing and introducing new forms of communication. This method somehow combines writing and typing, simultaneous letter and word recognition. I’m thrilled by it! It isn’t necessarily faster, its just another approach.