BRUTE LABS debuts the works of Tanzanian artist Gregory Mchopa

BRUTE LABS, in association with Otis debuted the works of Tanzanian artist Gregory Mchopa on Wednesday night in San Francisco.

Special thanks to Amanda and the Otis team for their amazing venue and all of you who came out to support BRUTE LABS and Gregory Mchopa.

Mchopa, 25, is an African artist and entrepreneur from Dar es Salaam. His art is inspired by the people he knows best, those of the Maasai. An artist who has been painting for 16 years, his original oil and canvas works can be found in the small shop he owns on the Msasani Peninsula or online at www.Mchopa.com.

To learn more about the project visit the Mchopa project page.

BRUTE LABS wins at AIGA Cause/Affect

Last night, Justin To, Andrew Truong, Joshua To, Greg Powel and Andre Tha Giant headed to San Francisco for the biennial AIGA Cause/Affect awards. In their words, it "is a competition for do-gooders, who do good work."

The room was full of like-minded individuals and provided a fantastic opportunity to network, meet people interested in social causes and throw ideas against the wall to see what would stick.

BRUTE LABS entered projectOPEN and Well Done in the Community Development and Health & Welfare categories respectively. The competition was strong and amazing design work for social good was displayed throughout. The AIGA office had the feel of a museum and it was an honor to have some of our work featured next to Office, Nike, Clif Bar, and Academy of Sciences.

What was even more amazing was to hear the MC call out "BRUTE LABS" as the first prize winner in the Community Development category for projectOPEN. The team was ecstatic. As high fives were exchanged, Andre Tha Giant did all he could to suppress his desire to get up and dance. When we moved to the Health and Welfare category and again heard "BRUTE LABS" as a second place winner for Well Done, we couldn't believe it.

As the awards came to a close, everyone Andre met during the first hour before the awards immediately swarmed towards us. We spent much of the rest of the evening meeting new people and talking about ways to collaborate during the rest of the summer and fall months.

Special thanks to the AIGA staff for putting on such a fantastic event. We'll see you again next time!

BRUTE LABS Cyclone Relief t-shirts Sold Out

Mountain View, CA


BRUTE LABS is proud to announce we've sold 100% of our limited edition of Cotton & Ink t-shirts. The BRUTE LABS team was able to unite 126 individuals in an effort to provide relief and support to victims of cyclone Nargis.

It cost an average of $10.90 to print and ship a t-shirt. At a price of $25 we were able to donate $14.10 for every t-shirt sold.

Everyone who has participated should feel proud to have contributed to a total of $5,524.70 to IDE's ongoing work in Myanmar. To date, IDE has reached 452 villages, provided shelter to 32,830 households and brought clean drinking water to 350,000 people in Myanmar.

Although we do not have any plans to print a second run of Cotton & Ink t-shirts, we feel strongly that the task to rebuild Myanmar in the wake of the cyclone is still far from over. We urge our supporters to continue to think creatively and take the initiative to contribute in meaningful ways.

To read more about IDE's recent work in Myanmar, check out: www.ssireview.org/opinion/entry/a_new_way_to_respond_to_natural_disasters

Cotton & Ink

The New York Times reported last week that the ruling junta in Myanmar was "disappointed that international aid pledges for cyclone relief added up to $150 million, rather than the $11 billion it asked for."

The storm left an estimated 2.4 million people in desperate need of food, shelter and medical care. In response, BRUTE LABS decided to partner with IDE, a non-profit providing relief in Myanmar, and contribute what we could: Cotton & Ink.

With the help of graphic designer Rebecca Shostak, we've created this shirt to raise awareness and relief funds for the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar. 100% of the proceeds of your $25 donation go directly to IDE.

www.brutelabs.org/cyclone

Buy now with Google Checkout and find out what cotton and ink can really do.

WELL DONE Update

Per a conversation with our Ghanian contact, Uncle Fred, here is what has been happening so far.

An update
He is working with an American couple who traveled to Ghana to help Pioneers Africa. They spend part of their time out in the field and they have a truck. Therefore they are mobile. In Ghana this has presented us with an opportunity to help facilitate looking for a site for the WELL to be DONE.

Third world challenges
Working in a third world country comes with its share of challenges and patience is required, especially as compared to the fast turnaround we usually have for other BL projects.

As such, we just found out that the truck broke down before they even set off. Instead, Fred is waiting on a shipment of parts from the US. This shipment was due the 15th of October and will enable us to get out on the road looking for a WELL site. We hope to provide an update on this soon.

Another hurdle that "hit us in the face" is the flood disaster. As you may have heard through news items on the internet or other news channels, Ghana and some other neighboring countries have been hit with floods particularly the three northern regions. Most areas are still unmotorable as I speak. The heavy rains have been the worst in more than 8 years and it's been difficult moving around. Ironically, the disaster even comes to worsen the water situation for most villages.
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=ghana+flood

Light at the end of the tunnel
We will soon be entering the dry season and the period between now and December is the best time for us to bring our survey work to speed. Things might look slow now but our team in Ghana is commitment to getting some locations identified as a matter of priority. Experts agree that the best time to drill wells is from February to April.

Goals
We are working to identify at least five locations that we can choose from to get the first well sunk by February 2008. If it can be done earlier too , we will let you know.