reality... that's a tough one...

[davidognomo]

sorry if I'm spoiling the mood, but I caught this one, and it kind of breaks my idea of a drummers paradise. No surprises, but when you see it...

not trying to moralise, but this belongs to what we are talking about here.

[EvanP]

David,
I'm struggling with what to say, as your post and video stirred a lot inside me.

I'll just say that this does not spoil the mood, rather adds depth, color, and perspective to the painting that is sub-saharan Africa.

There's so much more to say, yet I'm at a loss for words.

Thanks for posting this.
Evan

[Michel]

Come on guys! It's Africa! Of course there is poverty and lots of people unnecessary killed by easy-to-cure diseases. Don't let the mood be spoiled. Go there and spend your money! Follow classes, buy drums, art, help a family of drummers, raise money to build a school....And have a good time in drummer's paradise. Realize you can at least do something this way. When there wasn't drummer's paradise it would be even harder. The only tourists coming to Guinea are drummers! So they need us spending our money over there.

[mgmcgahon]

Agree totally with Michel. There are also plenty of organisations that allow you to sponsor a child and their village. We sponsor a young boy, we pay for his education and medical welfare. We send him a few gifts every year, our gifts are usually pencils, note books, tooth brushes, which can be shared throughout the village and school. We do also send him things that any 10 year old would like.

So buy djembes, bags, art work and Fair Trade foods. It helps people help themselves.

[Tom]

When there wasn't drummer's paradise it would be even harder. The only tourists coming to Guinea are drummers! So they need us spending our money over there.

Since the unrest began in Guinea in early 2007 visitors have been avoiding Guinea, which has had a major impact on the artists' lives. They rely heavily the income of the artists visiting from the west, so the past four years have been like drought. I've witnessed a lot of suffering because of it. Trust that Guinean artists are praying that westerners will return.

[michi]

Fortunately, it looks like things will remain stable for the time being, and all the tours will go ahead this coming season. Fingers crossed...

Michi.