As former and current Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars and Peace Corp Volunteers, we are, by our nature, a change-oriented group.

 

Today’s younger generation, of which we are a part, is the most wealthy, well-educated, and well-connected generation in the history of the world, and we feel we can use this knowledge, wealth and our connections to bridge differences and affect change on a continent that is greatly in need of our help.  

 

By building a network of worldwide support we hope to create a project and a film that we hope not only inspire these Tanzanian students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities, but also demonstrates the power of interconnected and cooperative efforts to create change, that bridge traditional boundaries, borders and generations.

For simplicity purposes we are seeking contributions of a minimum of $200 USD per Rotary-affiliated clubs or individual, but we are aware that some clubs and countries have different economic considerations.  If you’d like to participate in this project, but feel you cannot give $200 USD, please contact us as we’d love to find a way for you to contribute.  We are more interested in getting a multinational, geographically diverse set of sponsors than taking in large sized donations.

 

On the other hand, if your club is interested in contributing a sum of more than $200 USD, we hope contributions of this size will offset the small contributions from clubs in countries of less economic means.

 

We will not accept contributions of more than $3000 USD.

There are no specific responsibilities required after your contribution, but we hope that you will help share the story of these Tanzanian students and what can be done to help their situation.  We also hope you proudly promote the story of how 15 Rotary clubs from 15 countries got together to help 15 kids see the top of the world.

 

Finally, you may consider providing additional grant money or other funds to assist My World in its future hikes, nature treks and endeavors to help to improve the lives and educational opportunities of these Tanzanian students.

Beyond the satisfaction of participating in this project, for your contribution your club (or the individual making the contribution) will have their name included in the film, its marketing material, and all promotional material related to the project. It is our hope that Rotary will highlight this project as a unique, new generations-driven project supported by a multinational, worldwide network of cooperative Rotary-affiliated clubs.

 

Further, your club will receive information on one Tanzanian student that is a member of the exhibition for whom you made it possible for him/her to partake in the trip. Additionally you will receive a DVD copy of the finished film about the students’ experience on the hike and a thank you note from a student.   Finally, you may be invited to participate in future activities surrounding this project (film screenings, exhibitions, media coverage, conference presentations, etc.).

We have assembled an international team to accompany the students and their trekking guides up Mt. Kilimanjaro in an attempt to create a documentary of the experience.  

 

The team was assembled by Andy Stoll, a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar from Iowa USA, and Eric McDermott, an American Peace Corp Volunteer from Denver, Colorado.  

 

Andy is a media producer, filmmaker, and social entrepreneur who is presently on a two-year trip around-the-world.  Eric is a teacher and entrepreneur who is presently serving with the US Peace Corp in Wema, South Africa by teaching English and working to establish humanitarian and education-related projects throughout southern Africa.  The third member of the team, Dr. Janny Leung, is a former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, a freelance writer and photographer, and an assistant professor of English at The University of Hong Kong.  The filmmaking team is being supported by Adam Dobson a former US Peace Corp Volunteer in 2001-02 in Tanzania and a co-founder and the executive director of My World, Inc.

The trekking portion of this project is being planned, organized and carried out by My World, Inc, a Boston-based NGO that specializes in such trips in Tanzania.  The organization’s mission is to create such trips to improve the lives and educational experience of Tanzanian students, and this is a trip in their normal operation---the only difference is the filmmaking team will be going with the students to document the experience.

 

Though this project is being organized by former Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars (Andy Stoll and Janny Leung) and a current and a former Peace Corp Volunteer (Eric McDermott and Adam Dobson respectively) this project is not officially endorsed by or a project of The United States Peace Corp, Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation or a specific Rotary Club.  

 

The filmmaking and fundraising portions of this project were independently initiated by Andy Stoll, a social entrepreneur and filmmaker, who is returning home to the US from his year as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Hong Kong.