Shoe4Africa

After being in a new-baby haze for the past month-and-a-half, I'm recharged and ready to get back into the swing of things. Baby boy has kept me busy, and has given me the opportunity to miss and appreciate my work.

Back before my mommy days, I lived in New York City and was part of the awesome running community there. My coach, Toby Tanser, also happened to be the founder of Shoe4Africa, a non-profit that empowers through sports and education, creates unique health initiatives, and promotes AIDS awareness in East Africa.

Besides running on the S4A running team to help promote the non-profit, I've also had the pleasure of working with Toby on design projects. Toby's largest undertaking thus far is the hospital project. He is in the process of building East Africa's first public children's hospital. In November of 2010, Toby embarked on a 250-mile run from Mombasa to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money and awareness for this project.

Toby came to me, requesting a poster image to use at a fundraiser event. Reading about his planned route, I was inspired to create an illustration depicting his journey. I chose a hopeful, peaceful and thought-provoking color palette. I employed texture and expressive line work to convey the rough nature of the feat, and used a combination of font faces and colors to give the type a nice contrast and cool vibe.

The fundraising helped give the hospital project a boost and Toby completed his amazing journey, which you can read about here. 

Shoe4Africa is still in need of funds, and here is my appeal to you for an easy way to help. Currently in competition for a Ranger pickup truck to help build the hospital, all that is needed is your vote. Please visit www.facebook.com/KjaerKjaer?sk=app_455188447836364 and vote for the Shoe4Africa project (Look for the image of the hospital building). Thank you so much for your support!