My name is Jacky Chang, and I live in Brisbane, Australia, where I’m currently a Year 10 student at Brisbane Grammar School. I’ve loved drawing since I was five years old, and over the years I’ve been fortunate to win awards in both primary school and national painting competitions. Creativity and art have always been central to who I am, but just as important to me are community, compassion, and helping those in need. My father works in Sierra Leone, Africa, and through him I’ve learned about the hardship and poverty faced by many children there. Despite having far fewer resources and opportunities than we do, they remain passionate and artistically talented. That inspired me to ask myself: How can I help them share their voices with the world? The answer became Baby Zebra Art Gallery—a platform I created to showcase the incredible artwork of children and students in Sierra Leone. Through Baby Zebra, every piece of art sold supports schools and creates opportunities for young people in Sierra Leone, empowering them to pursue their dreams and unlock their potential. My goal is simple: to inspire, connect, and make an impact through art. Africa is vast, and my own efforts may be small, but I believe even the voice of a baby zebra deserves to be heard. Together, we can help carry hope, share love, and ensure that more African students receive the support they deserve.

My name is Aruna Kanu. I live in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I am a Christian by religion and Mende by tribe. I was raised mainly by my mother. Life was not easy for us. I have three brothers and one sister, and none of our fathers cared for us. Only our mother struggled to take care of us. I started drawing in primary school, in class four. In class five, I won my first prize in drawing, which motivated me to keep working hard to achieve my dreams. In senior secondary school (SS1), I met a artist in Sierra Leone. I quit school and began working with him, because he promised to provide for my needs. After two years and five months of working with him and doing exhibitions for him, I realized I was not gaining anything. So I stopped working with him and applied for a job at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel and started working as a painter for the hotel. Life there was difficult, but God sent me a father figure in the hotel—Mr. Christopher George. He helped me a lot, even giving me money to buy art materials for my first art exhibition at Radisson Blu, which was very successful. My art name is Luckybaeya Art. From the money I earned through art, I started supporting my family. Art is the pillar of my life and spirit. I hope Baby Zebra will be the lighthouse of my artistic career.