Bastou

01/12/2026

It's been a gift for us to watch the school grow and to have our friendship with Pape Dia strengthen over the years.

Our extended families have been part of supporting the school, and we are learning how this web of extended community and care is foundational to the ongoing success of the school.

We are so grateful to all of those who are part of this community.

FOR MORE INFOS see link in profile

01/07/2026

Remember the painting I auctioned for G4z4 back in the Fall? It was purchased by a local community member and is on display at the moment at Picnic Cafe in Perth. That makes total sense as Jordan from Picnic was instrumental in organising the fundraiser for Peace x Piece in the Summer.
Here is a short video showing you the painting in situ.
You can still donate to Peace x Piece and the link is in my bio.

12/24/2025

12/15/2025

It was really sweet for us to meet one of the students from our friend's school in Senegal. It's humbling to hear how their lives have been touched. Check out this video clip.

Learn more about the school and please consider donating. Link in bio 🙏🙏🙏

12/02/2025

Our small non-profit school is celebrating 10 years! Given the economic hardships and very limited resources in Senegal, Zoom Academie’s commitment and successes have been incredible.

Zoom Academie runs entirely on donations from people like you. Even a small gift can change the course of a girl's life in Senegal.

If you would like to contribute, you are welcome to donate through the GoFundMe page or (for the Canadians) send me an email Interac [DM ME FOR EMAIL]. Also, if you could please share the GoFundMe link (https://www.gofundme.com/f/zoom-academie-25) with others who might be interested, we’d really appreciate it. Thank you for your support.

With love and gratitude,
Bastou

11/26/2025

Dear Instagram family,

It is with a mix of emotion, humility and gratitude that I’m writing for our annual Zoom Academie fundraiser. Our small non-profit school is celebrating 10 years! Given the economic hardships and very limited resources in Senegal, Zoom Academie’s commitment and successes have been incredible.

When Pape Dia and I talked recently, we both ended up with tears in our eyes. That 98% of the school’s students obtain the CFEE (end of elementary year certificate) is reason enough to celebrate. Yet he described how moving it was at the CFEE ceremony, because many of the children were the first in their families to obtain this certificate. It made him, their families, the teachers and me so proud. I hope you feel proud too, as we truly could not do this work without our community of donors.

I invite you to read the humbling stories of three families, learn about the school’s achievements and see some new photos at https://www.gofundme.com/f/zoom-academie-25 (direct link in bio as well).

This year, I have increased the fundraising goal, since the rent for the school building is increasing, the teachers have not had a raise in about five years and some improvements to the school are becoming essential.

If you would like to contribute, you are welcome to donate through the GoFundMe page or (for the Canadians) send me an email Interac (DM me for the email address). Also, if you could please share the GoFundMe link with others who might be interested, we’d really appreciate it. Thank you for your support.

With love and gratitude,

Bastou

10/13/2025

We have a $500 bid for this painting. Who would like to bid higher? All proceeds go to Peace by Piece (https://chuffed.org/project/127693-peace-by-piece-direct-aid-for-gazans) to help Palestinian families in Egypt and Gaza. Auction ends Wednesday midnight. Message me to bid.

10/12/2025

Help us raise funds for Palestini4n families by bidding on this painting. Bids open until Wednesday October 15th. Message me to bid. All proceeds go to

 

10/09/2025

Send a message to learn more

10/09/2025

Just some of my work that will be available this weekend at the Perth Studio Tour. Come visit me at Studio 3.


 

10/08/2025

🍉🍉 DM ME TO BID 🍉🍉

Watermelon painting auction details:
Dates: October 8th to 15th

Size of painting: 52cm (20.5"), 65cm (25") with frame
Gouache and watercolor paint on archival paper. Framing with acid free, archival materials
All donations go to Peace by Piece, an organization working on helping P4lestini4n individuals and families on the ground. Details of their work at https://chuffed.org/project/127693-peace-by-piece-direct-aid-for-gazans and link in my profile. Follow them
For people local to the Ottawa area, the painting be showed at the Perth Autumn Studio Tour, this weekend October 11th and 12th.