I AM CRAFTY: Rachel Iwatu’s early bird.

The EarlyBird256 space is created to give children in rural Uganda a space to fully express themselves. One of the many ways we connect with the students is through our art workshops where they get to draw what they feel, so that the space is in alignment with their needs. 

Rachel Iwatu, now in secondary school at Busoga High School is one of the top students who were offered a scholarship through the EarlyBird programs. During one of our workshops, she drew the most beautiful bird. Her drawing stood out from the classroom pile and we wanted to use it as an example of how their drawings can become more. 

We asked Cathy, Ugandan based graphic designer and member of the EarlyBird256 squad to digitize Rachel’s art. The EB256 team in Kamuli printed out two copies; one  for the space so that other students can be inspired by Rachel’s early bird and the other for Rachel to take home. When Rachel saw Cathy’s version of her art, she excitedly ran home to share the news with her father. Rachel then went to her garden and brought tomatoes to share with the current EarlyBird256 candidates.  Rachel inspired the candidates and displayed the spirit of #doinglittlethingswithpassion 

"In her own way, Rachel put her imagination of earlybird256 on paper. To me, it showed that the earlybird256 organization brings color to her world, brightens her life, hence the very beautiful almost realistic drawing" EarlyBird256 graphic designer Cathy. 

This is what the EarlyBird space is about, to show the students what they are capable of creating and how far those creations can go. May our space never run out of art supplies.