Tonton Sorel's Legacy

Hello dear friends, 

It has been 2 weeks since Sorel left this world, and though my head has not even begun to comprehend, and my heart has not stopped hurting, it is clear to Sorel's family that he is gone, and there is a giant hole where he used to be. 

I have been in daily communication with Sorel's son Fode, and have witnessed the state ceremonies, burial, 3rd day and 7th day sacrifices from a far. 

There remains the biggest of the funeral events, the 40 day sacrifice, which is scheduled for October 30th. (I will do my best to publish live videos of that event on my Facebook page)

His passing is indeed a loss to so many people both on a personal level, and as the master savant artist who knows and shares so much. So many people are grieving his loss deeply, his family, his students, members of Ballet Wassaso, members of Les Ballets Africains and the Guinean Artist community around the world. For those of us who knew him well, it is an extremely bitter pill to swallow.

In the interest of honoring him and all that he has given us, there is a small team of us who are, in the near term, looking to minimize the negative impact of Tonton Sorel's death on Ballet Wassasso and particularly and most immediately on his family, which includes 5, (FIVE) school aged children. 

I an creating this new campaign (and Facebook Group) "Tonton Sorel's Legacy" as a place to connect about, stay updated with, contribute to, and memorialize this incredible man. 

While I can forsee opportunities to bolster leadership for Ballet Wassasso, created murals, and rename buildings, what is much more pressing is to support Sorel's immediate family now, and provide structures to them so they can support themselves into the future. For now, food, rent and school expenses are piling up, and I am here to once again ask for support.

Most of you know that employment opportunities are sparse in Guinea, and most families rely heavily or entirely on the one person who does have work to house, clothe and feed them. In this family, Sorel was that person, and now that he is gone, there is literally no income. 

We are in communication with Sorel's adult children to brainstorm possible businesses that they could do to and are firmly committed that his family is able to sustain itself as soon as possible. And, at the moment, they are in deep grief, are hungry, out of school and in need of rent to make sure they are not evicted. 

So, we are asking for:

Support with school ($1,280):

Sorel has 5 school aged children:

Alhassane "n'Tassana"

Yamoussa

Oumar

Hamidou, and

Mohamed Lamine

Would you be willing to be one of 5 people to step up and take on sponsoring one of these five bright eyed children for this first academic school year? The average cost of tuition is around $20/child/per month x 10 months. So $200 per child for the year for tuition There is a 1 time registration fee of $6 and their materials (back packs/paper/pencils and uniforms) are a 1 time cost of approximately $50 per child. So $1,000 in tuition total, and approximately $280 in fees and materials. 

 Support with rent ($384):

Sorel's most immediate family lives in a small 1 bedroom appartement that costs $48 per month and they are currently 2 months behind. If possible, we are hoping to get caught up and pay the next 6+ months in advance, ($48 × 8 mos = $384) so they can simply grieve and focus on creating a business to support themselves going forward. 

Support for food ($3,960):

The family currently eats mostly rice and sauce. The rice is $40 per 110lb bag, and they consume approximately 5kg per day/ 3 bags per month, so $120/month for rice, and the sauce adds up to about $18/day, or $540 per month so a total of $660 per month. The total for 6 months would be just under $4k. 

Of course there are other expenses, but if we can put a dent in these most important and urgent costs, then we can focus on supporting them in starting and managing a business to support themselves. 

Thank you in advance for your contribution. It means so much to Grand Sorel's family at this intensely difficult time. 

Sincerely,

Sarah Lee, Lilli, Fode and Prince