Bjoern: Your entry made me think. We see a child dancing on the street or singing in the subway, and we think, Oh. That poor kid. He/she shouldn't have to be doing that. Your proposal repackages the same sort of public performance in a way that makes me feel ok about it. That's just by way of observation, not meant to be a judgment one way or the other.
More to the point, Bofoki strikes two important chords. First, of course, it's an income generation strategy. Second, and more powerful to me, it gets at the very real need to engage children as full citizens by connecting them to the means of content creation and distribution. You're giving them a voice, and also giving them a channel to make their voice heard. That cuts to the essence of democracy.
It strikes me that there's the potential to realize enormous leverage through partnerships. Rather than dismissing YouTube and Flickr, why not engage them (and iTunes, for that matter) as distribution channels? Self-serving to suggest, but can you imagine hosting competitions here on Changemakers, or some similar platform? And rather than selling a painting in a frame, why not convert it into a digital image that can (again, via a partner) be transferred to mugs, t-shirts, etc.--dramatically expanding the income opportunities?
Thanks for the comments on my entry. I am really impressed that you made it so fast and up to the point. It made you “think” and it “stroke” you that there is the potential to realize enormous leverage.
It sounds encouraging, especially reading this from somebody who supposed to know. And it’s really appreciated.
However, there is one notion I would like to put differently:
We are not thinking about “dismissing” other platforms or distribution channels. I am totally agreeing with you that we should engage and work with them, use them as partners and collaborators increasing ultimately our coverage.
Your idea to convert paintings, photography and artwork into a digital image and transfer them to mugs, t-shirts, etc is great. Social and fair merchandising is something we definitely have on our minds, actually one of our co-founders works for an e-shop. They implemented recently a tool which let’s you design and order your own shirts, pants, shoes etc. Sort of a smart “third party” designing tool. Something like that we would like to do too, with a good partner.
You asked, if I could imagine to host a Bofoki creative competitions at Changemakers.net?
I wouldn’t like to do it; I would love to do it!
If anybody likes to read on - please open the pdf file at the end of the entry form!
The name of the pdf is: Learn more about Bofoki now.
You will find further information on creative competitions and how we intend to conduct them etc.
Thanks for the interest in the project and the (many) votes so far!
Hi Björn,
what I really like on Bofoki is that it enables children to have an income by their creative talent. And of course most of them would have never had the opportunity ever to present their work to others or to sell their artwork.
The children will be strengthened by being a part of a network and maybe build up relationships to children with similar interests all over the world.
A really good idea Björn!
And I have to agree with Mr Hammonds, I think you are really should use Flickr, YouToube etc. as markting- and supplychannel.
I just love the idea of educating and connecting underprivileged children.
Considering that many children in Asia and Africa could survive with one dollar per day,
I would be the first who buys their music, photos, paintings etc.
Your entry inspired me to search for some quotations. I hope you will enjoy them.
Here they are:
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)
You don't need fancy highbrow traditions or money to really learn. You just need people with the desire to better themselves.
Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, Accepted, 2006
The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.
Diogenes Laertius
Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.
Henry Ward Beecher (1813 - 1887), Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit, 1887
Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1997
The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds.
Anatole France (1844 - 1924)
Comments
Bjoern: Your entry made me think. We see a child dancing on the street or singing in the subway, and we think, Oh. That poor kid. He/she shouldn't have to be doing that. Your proposal repackages the same sort of public performance in a way that makes me feel ok about it. That's just by way of observation, not meant to be a judgment one way or the other.
More to the point, Bofoki strikes two important chords. First, of course, it's an income generation strategy. Second, and more powerful to me, it gets at the very real need to engage children as full citizens by connecting them to the means of content creation and distribution. You're giving them a voice, and also giving them a channel to make their voice heard. That cuts to the essence of democracy.
It strikes me that there's the potential to realize enormous leverage through partnerships. Rather than dismissing YouTube and Flickr, why not engage them (and iTunes, for that matter) as distribution channels? Self-serving to suggest, but can you imagine hosting competitions here on Changemakers, or some similar platform? And rather than selling a painting in a frame, why not convert it into a digital image that can (again, via a partner) be transferred to mugs, t-shirts, etc.--dramatically expanding the income opportunities?
Many thanks,
Keith Hammonds
Dear Keith,
Thanks for the comments on my entry. I am really impressed that you made it so fast and up to the point. It made you “think” and it “stroke” you that there is the potential to realize enormous leverage.
It sounds encouraging, especially reading this from somebody who supposed to know. And it’s really appreciated.
However, there is one notion I would like to put differently:
We are not thinking about “dismissing” other platforms or distribution channels. I am totally agreeing with you that we should engage and work with them, use them as partners and collaborators increasing ultimately our coverage.
Your idea to convert paintings, photography and artwork into a digital image and transfer them to mugs, t-shirts, etc is great. Social and fair merchandising is something we definitely have on our minds, actually one of our co-founders works for an e-shop. They implemented recently a tool which let’s you design and order your own shirts, pants, shoes etc. Sort of a smart “third party” designing tool. Something like that we would like to do too, with a good partner.
You asked, if I could imagine to host a Bofoki creative competitions at Changemakers.net?
I wouldn’t like to do it; I would love to do it!
I hope we keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Bjoern
If anybody likes to read on - please open the pdf file at the end of the entry form!
The name of the pdf is: Learn more about Bofoki now.
You will find further information on creative competitions and how we intend to conduct them etc.
Thanks for the interest in the project and the (many) votes so far!
Hi Björn,
what I really like on Bofoki is that it enables children to have an income by their creative talent. And of course most of them would have never had the opportunity ever to present their work to others or to sell their artwork.
The children will be strengthened by being a part of a network and maybe build up relationships to children with similar interests all over the world.
A really good idea Björn!
And I have to agree with Mr Hammonds, I think you are really should use Flickr, YouToube etc. as markting- and supplychannel.
Good Luck
Matthias Hardtke
Hi Bofoki.org,
I just love the idea of educating and connecting underprivileged children.
Considering that many children in Asia and Africa could survive with one dollar per day,
I would be the first who buys their music, photos, paintings etc.
Your entry inspired me to search for some quotations. I hope you will enjoy them.
Here they are:
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.
Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)
You don't need fancy highbrow traditions or money to really learn. You just need people with the desire to better themselves.
Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, Accepted, 2006
The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.
Diogenes Laertius
Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.
Henry Ward Beecher (1813 - 1887), Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit, 1887
Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!
J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1997
The whole art of teaching is only the art of awakening the natural curiosity of young minds.
Anatole France (1844 - 1924)
Love & Peace
Santi