Everyone counts.

There's a charity in South Africa called 'Everyone Counts'. Their mission is simple- they save children who are abandoned, usually because of poverty, often the result of the parents being ill. Aids, that awful sidekick of poverty, is rife in South Africa.

The charity provides a safe place where woman can anonymously leave their babies. If the child has the Aids virus, they administer drugs which can stop it right there (it can be done if the child is young enough).

The website is at

http://www.everyonecounts.co.za

They're anticipating a surge in the numbers of abandoned children, following the World Cup, and so are appealing for help. They're being very innovative- instead of just asking for money, they're holding an Art sale, and are looking for contributions from artists around the world, which they will sell through their web-site. All the work measures 12"x12" (30cm x 30cm) and they all cost the same amount- 1000 rand.

I was lucky to visit South Africa in 1996. I worked at the Rand Show in Johannesburg and then visited Cape Town. I think it's the most beautiful country I've ever been to. And the people I met there were wonderful, friendly and positive. So I'm happy to have the opportunity to give something back for the happiness I experienced there.

When I started thinking about what to paint, I decided to use rainbow colours for the background, because South Africa is known as the Rainbow country. I thought I might add butterflies, since they're synonymous with children. And being practical, I know that people like both rainbows and butterflies, which it might make it easier to sell.

Here's what happened.

1. Looks a bit like Tye-Dye gone tragically wrong!

2. Oh dear, where's my sunglasses?

3. A couple of washes of white paint calmed everything down. Then I tried to figure out where the butterflies would go- but somehow, they just didn't 'work'. I know it sounds weird, but sometimes, a painting, just like the heart, 'wants what it wants' and in this case, it wanted a woman and child.

4. Hmmm- After filling in her form, I realised the poor child would be smothered!

5. The finished painting.

I hope someone buys it. And I hope they have as much pleasure looking at it as I had painting it.