Delft Arts Outreach

My name is Janine Fortuin and I am from a township called Delft in Cape Town, South Africa (Population 200 000+).Delft was established in 1989 as one of the first multi-racial residential areas in South Africa during the final years of apartheid. Delft is also delightfully named after a city in the Netherlands known for its contributions to world art, culture and history through master painters such as Johannes Vermeer .

Although my home and Vermeer’s carry the same name they are geographically and quite literally worlds apart.

In Delft only 3% of the population of over 200 000 receive tertiary education. That means 97% are left out. When I made this discovery over 2 years ago my journey toward transformation began.

This fundraiser is about changing the Deft narrative through art education.

About me:

After a career in the media and significant work on myself I embarked on what I believe is my life’s purpose - building my community and serving others with my gifts.

I was the first in my extended family to graduate from a university and the first to cross an international border. In my community I am part of only 3% of the population of over 200 000. This fact doesn’t burden me. It has become my daily source of motivation and inspiration. It has given me a sense of purpose. I’m devoted to see it change.

Two years ago I received training in Civic Leadership through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) an International Leadership Programme that cultivates a new generation of ethical African servant leaders.

We can change the world(s) through art:

Upon completion of the YALI training I wrote a plan for educational intervention in Delft which includes art education as a vehicle to aid social justice, identity formation and holistic development in children.

I have been working with children in my community for over 2 years and all efforts culminated this past December when myself and a team of 5 launched Delft’s very first Summer Arts Programme. Together, we served 50-70 children aged 5 to 18 every day.

We have just launched the second holiday programme in March and I currently meet with over 60 children thrice a week aged between 3 and 14 after school.

I have seen the power of a child’s imagination, in my own life and in the lives of others and I believe in order to build a better community, a better world, we must first imagine it - then put it to work. Art gives us the vehicle and expression to do just that.

Please consider a contribution as a seed toward helping us grow into a self-sustainable initiative. Your seed will also finance an art course, and a large community art event.

Delft Arts is about the next generation and empowering them to imagine, create and innovate tomorrow.

For more information or to get involved please contact me: fortuinjanine9@gmail.com