Hooray! News!

Still though the waters of this site have seemed the last few months, life has been churning beneath. In fact, it seems to all be rising to the surface at once. So here's the latest update:

(1) Loco Bloco is interested in working with us for the exchange. Loco Bloco is a youth development organisation that engages youth in the creation and performance of music, dance, and theater traditions reflecting the cultural diversity of the Americas. They've done some powerful work in the San Francisco Bay area, and we're looking forward to putting together workshops with their kids. Check out their site: http://www.locobloco.org/

(2) We speaking to La Hermandad Educativa about working with the kids in their culture center for the Guatemalan portion of the exchange. Luis Cardoza y Aragon Popular Culture Center provides free classes in art, music, computer, and English classes to children of Quetzaltenango from families with limited economic resources. See their site: http://www.plqe.org/projects.html

and finally....

(3) TE KORU is now fiscally sponsored by Global Exchange. This means we have 501(c)(3) status. As a non-profit, we can apply for grants through Global Exchange, and all donations are tax-deductible. Global Exchange is a "membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world." They've had some incredible accomplishments since their founding in 1988. Check out the work they do, and become a member: http://www.globalexchange.org/

Last week I met with the education director and the founders of 4Real - a TV show aired on MTV Canada and Nat Geo in 140 countries that raises cultural awareness in kids and inspires them to get involved in community change. (see http://www.4real.com/) They were really supportive of TE KORU and gave me some great suggestions.

I'm thinking of producing a documentary of sorts from Mission I, focusing on how our actions in the western world affect our neighbors down south....and how this comes full circle back to bite us. With Mission I being a tester for the portfolio exchange, the documentary produced would be a sort of pilot episode for the longer, Mission II doc.

So what's next? Well, with the documentary in mind, I'll have to adjust the current budget. Then of course there's the funding. I'm still searching out potential donors. And...a partner. Preferably someone with motorcycle experience, a bit of Spanish under their belt, and video production skills. (The vivacious, open-hearted, adventurer personality screen is a give-in). As everything in my life thus far has fallen into place at just the right time, I haven't been sweating this one too much. I'm thinking that time is close at hand though.

Oh, and PS:
I've begun working at the local vintage honda motorcycle shop helping to restore old Hondas. Yes, it's wonderful to have my hands coated in grease and my mind soaked with mechanical knowledge. And no doubt it will come in handy when I've broken down in the middle of the Atacama Desert.