Link Ethiopia Celebrations - Gondar, Ethiopia 2016

Mark first visited Ethiopia in 2010 on a college World Challenge volunteer trip and returned in 2013 for another month of teaching English in schools alongside educational charity Link Ethiopia. He always aimed to return again to deliver some form of artistic training programme to schools there and saw a natural collaboration between Link Ethiopia and the community led work that Kinetika has been doing.

In January 2016, after developing a project between the two charities, Mark led a team of 10 volunteer artists on a two week project working with communities in Gondar, Ethiopia, to help educational development charity Link Ethiopia celebrate their 20 year anniversary.

The team delivered workshops in 10 local schools with over 600 children to draw, design and paint 10 silk artworks, with a resulting finale event capturing over 1,000 participants in a celebration of Ethiopian culture. 

With Art being a subject that isn’t delivered as part of an Ethiopian school curriculum, it was an incredible opportunity for many children to express a level of creativity that they would never had previously had the chance to do. Mark aims to continue volunteer work in Ethiopia with a focus on creating creative opportunities for students there.

Artistic Direction & Lead Artist: Ali Pretty

Project Co-Ordination & Lead Artist: Mark Forrest

Creative Painting Team & Volunteer Artists: Jane Ford, Margaret Hall, Lesley Robinson, Catherine Simpson, Martin Cobb, Alan Forrest & Anne Williams.

Film & Photography: Mike Johnston

Link Ethiopia Staff: Zemene Mersha, Elsa Kedebe, Yemsrach Teklu, Henok Marie, Eyayaw Bayable & Mikey Azene Azene.

Participating Schools: Tsadiku Yohannes, Rekebnaha, Abiyot Frey, Ediget Feleg, Chechela Elementary, Fasilides, Angaraeb, Arbatu Ensesa, Felegab Abyot, Azezo Elementary & St Georges.