Special Announcement
Introducing “64 Reasons Foundation”
I’m so excited to share I’ve started a non-profit, 64 Reasons Foundation, based in Ghana.
Why the name “64 Reasons”?
I don’t have any big fancy explanation for this. Simply put, there are 64 boys who live in the Don Bosco Boys Home in Sunyani, Ghana, and they are the reason why I do what I do. I have 64 reasons to make the world a better place.
I don’t have any big fancy explanation for this. Simply put, there are 64 boys who live in the Don Bosco Boys Home in Sunyani, Ghana, and they are the reason why I do what I do. I have 64 reasons to make the world a better place.
Why have a non-profit?
I have been thinking for a couple years about starting a nonprofit, but never really took time to put everything together. When I met Egya, he helped me see that everything I was doing for the boys was essentially the same work a nonprofit organization does, and he encouraged me to put a formal name on my efforts. With his help, 64 Reasons Foundation was registered in Ghana.
What is 64 Reasons going to do? Essentially, we’re going to do what I have been doing – continue to work with the boys in Sunyani. We’re hoping to expand our efforts to others in need in Ghana. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but I know the needs are there and I know with the support of others, good things can be done.
I invite you to join this journey with me – whether you support with words of encouragement, by sharing our work with those in your circles, or by giving directly. No matter how you choose to be involved, I have 64 Reasons to thank you.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at 64 Reason Foundation.
PS – when you support this work, either though GoFundMe or by donating through my Amazon Wish List, you will receive an original piece of art as a thank you from one of the boys in Ghana along with a photo!
YouTube Videos of the Boys and My Time in Ghana: Felix Sharing His Art 2024 – YouTube
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5df6ec3c
Amazon Wish List Registry: Your Gift List
(Updated 04-12-25)
We are so excited to share that we got two barrels stuffed full of art supplies, sports equipment, and soccer jerseys ready to ship to Ghana! We also had special logo mugs made to give as gifts to the Salesian priests in Ghana who have been so gracious to work with me and allow me to visit and teach art to the boys for the past two years.
We are so excited to share that we got two barrels stuffed full of art supplies, sports equipment, and soccer jerseys ready to ship to Ghana! We also had special logo mugs made to give as gifts to the Salesian priests in Ghana who have been so gracious to work with me and allow me to visit and teach art to the boys for the past two years.
PS – when you support this work, either though GoFundMe or by donating through my Amazon Wish List, you will receive an original piece of art as a thank you from one of the boys in Ghana along with a photo!
YouTube Videos of the Boys and My Time in Ghana: Felix Sharing His Art 2024 – YouTube
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5df6ec3c
Amazon Wish List Registry: Your Gift List
(Updated 01-29-25) I went to Sunyani, Ghana for the first time in 2023 to visit the Don Bosco Boys Home where 64 boys, ages 5-18, live. The Boys Home takes in boys, gives them a place to live, feeds them, clothes them, and sends them to school. I went there to spend time with the boys and to teach them art. My experience was so rewarding that I returned in 2024 and plan on going back in the fall of 2025.
I have fallen in love with these boys – their eyes are bright, their smiles are big, and their arms are welcoming. I simply cannot get enough of them.
So many friends have supported my work in Ghana these past two years and many have already donated supplies for me to take to the boys this coming fall. I have even bigger goals this year – one being to ship a barrel of supplies, including much needed sports equipment. Last year the cost of taking an extra bag was $250. I can purchase a barrel that will hold twice as much, if not more, for around the same price. This means more supplies for the boys!
I am also raising funds to assist the cost of travel, food, and lodging. The cost of travel is over $2000. The Salesian priests in Sunyani provide me a room and meals during my stay and I give them a donation upon my departure. I also give a donation to the Boys Home to help just a little with the expenses of providing for the Boys. Another donation is given to the Salesians in Accra for providing a guide and transportation to and from the airport as well as lodging and food as I travel between Accra and Sunyani. Additionally, any items that remain on my Amazon Wish List registry shortly before I leave for Ghana are purchased through my own funds. I hope to fundraise to contribute to my travel expenses and donations to cover lodging and food so that I can focus on finding new projects with the boys, and a group of girls in the area, that will give them skills to earn income. I also work with the young men there who are studying to be priests so that should they decide not to pursue the priesthood, they will have also have skills for earning income. Additionally, I am working behind the scenes to find ways to use their artwork to raise funds for supplies they need throughout the year. There’s a lot going on and my little head is just a-buzzin’!
This is an expensive journey and while I certainly don’t expect anyone to pay for it for me, I have found there any many who want to support my work in this way. And I am so grateful.
Included below are a couple links – a YouTube link where you can meet the boys and see some of the sights from my trip, an Amazon Wish List link if you would like to purchase supplies for the boys, and a GoFundMe link if you are interested in financially supporting this work. I am happy to talk with anyone who would like to learn about my time with the boys. Please feel free to share the links. Thank you!
PS – when you support this work, either though GoFundMe or by donating through my Amazon Wish List, you will receive an original piece of art as a thank you from one of the boys in Ghana along with a photo!
YouTube Videos of the Boys and My Time in Ghana: Felix Sharing His Art 2024 – YouTube
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5df6ec3c
Amazon Wish List Registry: Your Gift List
Making Art with Children in Ghana
(Updated 01-29-25) I went to Sunyani, Ghana for the first time in 2023 to visit the Don Bosco Boys Home where 64 boys, ages 5-18, live. The Boys Home takes in boys, gives them a place to live, feeds them, clothes them, and sends them to school. I went there to spend time with the boys and to teach them art. My experience was so rewarding that I returned in 2024 and plan on going back in the fall of 2025.
I have fallen in love with these boys – their eyes are bright, their smiles are big, and their arms are welcoming. I simply cannot get enough of them.
So many friends have supported my work in Ghana these past two years and many have already donated supplies for me to take to the boys this coming fall. I have even bigger goals this year – one being to ship a barrel of supplies, including much needed sports equipment. Last year the cost of taking an extra bag was $250. I can purchase a barrel that will hold twice as much, if not more, for around the same price. This means more supplies for the boys!
I am also raising funds to assist the cost of travel, food, and lodging. The cost of travel is over $2000. The Salesian priests in Sunyani provide me a room and meals during my stay and I give them a donation upon my departure. I also give a donation to the Boys Home to help just a little with the expenses of providing for the Boys. Another donation is given to the Salesians in Accra for providing a guide and transportation to and from the airport as well as lodging and food as I travel between Accra and Sunyani. Additionally, any items that remain on my Amazon Wish List registry shortly before I leave for Ghana are purchased through my own funds. I hope to fundraise to contribute to my travel expenses and donations to cover lodging and food so that I can focus on finding new projects with the boys, and a group of girls in the area, that will give them skills to earn income. I also work with the young men there who are studying to be priests so that should they decide not to pursue the priesthood, they will have also have skills for earning income. Additionally, I am working behind the scenes to find ways to use their artwork to raise funds for supplies they need throughout the year. There’s a lot going on and my little head is just a-buzzin’!
This is an expensive journey and while I certainly don’t expect anyone to pay for it for me, I have found there any many who want to support my work in this way. And I am so grateful.
Included below are a couple links – a YouTube link where you can meet the boys and see some of the sights from my trip, an Amazon Wish List link if you would like to purchase supplies for the boys, and a GoFundMe link if you are interested in financially supporting this work. I am happy to talk with anyone who would like to learn about my time with the boys. Please feel free to share the links. Thank you!
PS – when you support this work, either though GoFundMe or by donating through my Amazon Wish List, you will receive an original piece of art as a thank you from one of the boys in Ghana along with a photo!
YouTube Videos of the Boys and My Time in Ghana: Felix Sharing His Art 2024 – YouTube
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/5df6ec3c
Amazon Wish List Registry: Your Gift List
Drawchange: Empowering Children Through the Use of Art
Art Beyond Borders, Ethiopia 2019
In May, 2019 I had the unique opportunity to travel to Ethiopia and spend 10 days working, playing and making art with children in Kara Kore, one of the poorest areas in the city of Addis Ababa. This experience was incredible – both with its joys and its sorrows. At times, being there was hard but nowhere near as difficult as coming home, yet I find myself drawn back to Ethiopia to the bright smiles and dancing eyes of the children and experiencing the magic in making art together again.
If you are interested in supporting my travel back to Ethiopia to make art with the children in Kara Kore, please contact me.
If you are interested in supporting my effort to bring art to the children in Kara Kore, please contact me.
To learn how you can support the efforts to bring art to children around the world or maybe to go to Ethiopia yourself ( ! ) visit www.drawchange.org
Thank you!
– Carol
Ohio Craft Museum’s Gifts of the Craftsmen designed to fulfill holiday wish lists.
New artists include Michigan illustrator Amy Ferguson, who creates prints, cards and ornaments; Columbus artist Cody Miller, who combines cut paper and paint in his collages; and Powell artist Carol Wallenfelsz, who uses alcohol ink to decorate dominos as pendants….
Carol Wallenfelsz Featured on Columbus Something New Podcast
Listen to the podcast episode below.
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