The two Greenie Dolls
How a small doll from PA is making a big difference in Africa…
When Lewisburg artist Caroczel left behind a handmade doll when she visited The Gambia, Africa in June 2007, she thought it a sentimental keepsake for her friend and partner George Riegg.
What she didn’t know, was that George would take this little doll, Greenie, wherever he went as he did work for the charities he’s been involved in for the last 6 years. The 6 inch doll became a regular at tree plantings, reforestation efforts, seminars, and even sat in on meetings as an honorary member of the charities. Local people came to recognize her and ask for her. She has her very own e-mail address and gets updates on the different green projects she’s involved in.
That doll, Greenie, was one of the Sticks by Caroczel – copyrighted characters created for a blog page/social network on the now defunct Yahoo 360.
Evolving from a simple line drawing – a “stick” figure, - the happy, colorful little doll’s motto was, “If I made just one person smile, my whole existence has been worthwhile.”
Together, George and Caroczel worked at developing the Greenie concept into a series of educational books geared towards this small country in Africa and submitted a proposal in January 2009 to the United Nations Development Programme. Funding has recently been approved to produce 5000 copies of the books to be distributed and integrated into the educational system for young children in The Gambia, Africa.
The books utilize a Gambian Greenie as the main character with short poems by Caroczel.
The little stories are designed to increase environmental awareness, foster teamwork,
and promote caring for our planet.
George photographs the background scenes over in Africa, while Caroczel photographs the doll
and incorporates her into the various scenes via computer.
Caroczel, who’s worked in many art mediums, always wanted her art to “mean something.”
And now, 6000 miles away, it’s doing just that. Her little doll doesn’t just make people smile,
she’s teaching kids to work together to make this world a cleaner, greener place for one and all – and that makes Caroczel smile.
For more information contact:
Caroczel at gypsyorphantourist@
George Riegg at icecool@qanet.gm
www.caroczelfineart.wetpaint.com
www.welovestick.wetpaint.com
