About Us
Jonas Gerberding – in loving memories
13.02.1980 (Hamburg) – 07.08.2019 (Mombasa)
Uganda, 2018
Jonas and Rayka moved to Uganda in 2018 and started building their project TOONDA. Jonas was enchanted by Kyakataama from the beginning and had his happiest time here.
Born in Hamburg, he lived in Indonesia for a while. During and after their studies, Jonas and Rayka realised projects in the USA and Africa.
In memory
Jonas Gerberding, 1980-2019
Portrait
Jonas in Kyakataama
2018–2019
At work
Painting as L.I.E.S.
Marker and spray can
Work
Painted
Canvas, wood and machetes
Work
Murals
Melville, Johannesburg
Beginnings
Building Toonda
Uganda, 2018
Kyakataama
Jonas in Kyakataama
Western Uganda
Legacy
The dream continued
Toonda
L.I.E.S. – Life Is Extremely Strange
Jonas painted under the acronym L.I.E.S., which stands for Life Is Extremely Strange, which seemed to fit most situations as well as his life. With marker and spray can, he worked on different materials from canvas to wood to machetes (pangas).
He studied at the University of Fine Arts and graduated in 2008. Jonas exhibited in Hamburg, New York, Yangon, Tetouan, Johannesburg and Kampala.
Completely unexpectedly, he died as a result of malaria in August 2019.
Even after his death, their dream is to continue – TOONDA to be completed, and children to be sent to school. With this in mind, Rayka, with the help of the newly founded non-profit association TOONDA, is carrying on locally what they initiated together.
Carry the dream forward
Sponsor a child, support the library, or stay with us. Every contribution continues what Jonas and Rayka began.