Empowering the Huband Cradle of Hope in Kenya!

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and its ability to bring people together and make the world a better place. I strongly believe filmmaking and new technologies like social media and virtual reality (VR) can be used to tell  meaningful stories, bring people together, and mobilize audiences to create positive change in the world.   That’s why I’m excited to launch this campaign to help fund a film and narrative VR project for the Huband Cradle of Hope (HCH) charity organization in Kenya.  Founded by John Machio in 2002, Huband Cradle of Hope (HCH) is a safe, loving and nurturing home in Kenya for children born into poverty, affected by HIV/AIDS, and who have been marginalized and neglected. We, the film team are fundraising for the production of video content for their online presence, as well as a short film and narrative VR experience to communicate their impact to support their fundraising activities.  We plan to help empower their operations with powerful storytelling tools to help them tell their story around the world, in order to strengthen their fundraising and operations on the ground in Kenya.   I believe this project is a chance to tell truly meaningful stories and create impactful content. We would love to have you involved, so please donate, share, or reach out! Join us on this journey, and let’s make this project happen together. The story of HCH: Founded by Kenyan-born Toronto resident John Machio in 2002, who was a street child himself, and along with his sister, started serving meals on the streets of Nairobi to feed other children.  Their non-governmental organization’s vision is to help build hope and self worth in the children of HCH so that they may enjoy healthy, joyful and meaningful lives. HCH is a registered Kenyan charity with both a Canadian and Kenyan Board of Directors. HCH does not get any government funding and is entirely supported by loyal Marafiki (Swahili for “friends”) worldwide.  Their focus includes not only feeding and housing children but to see the children through to university and/or trades education and have been successful these past years.  Every penny that the charity raises goes directly to the running of the household, clothing, toiletries, meals, education and employs several workers. The home is located in a large rented house just outside Nairobi, Kenya.  All of the children go to school. The children range in age, and the older children help look after the younger ones. HCH staff include: matrons, a cook, a social worker and a caretaker and have been with the home for many years and take pride in their work and genuinely love the children. The home is inspected regularly by the Kenyan ministry for children and complies with all the Kenyan regulations. In 2009, HCH received a Kenyan national award citing it as an outstanding charity. How we became involved: Initially, our film director SC Modiste met with founder John Machio and supporters of HCH in Canada in March 2019. John expressed his struggle to capture their story effectively to raise funds and share it around the world. She was inspired by the hard working, dedicated Toronto neighbours who have supported this charity for the past 15 years.  In order to support the children in Kenya, they have been motivated to sell their own artwork, hold garage sales, ship shoes and clothes, school supplies, held community events, and personally donate funds - a lot of the time to make ends meet the needs. Their focus   is serving children - not filmmaking.  She saw an opportunity to upscale their efforts by automating a new website, using short video messages and to include the videos inside compelling newsletters, and finally to deliver a 15-20 minute film to be played at their yearly fundraising event. The video will additionally be sent to other like-minded organisations for their fund drives. They are passionate people who are doing everything they can to continue their support but their storytelling/content production/online presence/etc. could be greatly improved with our collaboration. We have a unique opportunity here to collaborate and offer our production skills, resources and networks to help this organisation reach their full potential. Details of our campaign: We are looking to raise funds to cover production costs for our team of 4 for 13 days at £5,308. This will cover the entire production including production insurance, food, accommodation, transportation, post production and VR production. We have several willing volunteers, including two inspired youth to get this job done and have a donor supplying part of our airline tickets to Nairobi.  I am looking to raise finance in order to complete the video component for their next fund drive to carry the remaining twenty children through to university.   I am volunteering my time, equipment and expertise to this project and asking you to join the ordinary but driven people that have supported this mission so far.  Any donation beyond the cost of the film production will go directly to the educational needs of the children, that is  £3,600 for the 2019 semester school costs not including clothing, school supplies, toiletries and housing.  The school fee needs are ongoing into the future. In  British Pounds (£) Production Costs Breakdown Transport - £180 Accommodation  £1,220 - (House 12 nights for 6 people) Flights - 4 partially donated - need £1,800 for taxes Flights - 2 paid for by youth volunteers Filming costs Four crew, all equipment, sound and picture - all donated Two Volunteers Ambassadors- Web & Social Media Documentation Content & Archive Photography VR Campaign production - donated Production insurance - donated Website production - donated Post Production & Editing   £580 Food for 4 crew for 13 days - £1,300  (£25  each per day) Visas £228 Total to be raised for film production: £5,308 Total already donated:  £3,978 for airline tickets Total value donated: £15,500 Every penny beyond our goal will go directly to the charity. Thank you for your time and support!  Best Regards, Amrish Shah Creative Producer & Cinematographer ===============================