Leaving Home, But Left Behind Docu.
Donation protected
*Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment Inc. (RISE), a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization, is the fiscal sponsor of this project*
The Project
Good day, world! My name is Salat Ali.
* I am currently seeking donations to produce a documentary about the refugee experience both here (U.S.A) and back home( Dadaab, Kenya).
* My parents were forced to flee Somalia and I was born in a refugee camp in Kenya. At the age of 11, I left with my father and brother to settle in the United States. We gained citizenship in 2012. My mother stayed behind. Feeling lost in an era of closed borders and coping with a mother who has been stranded in Dagahaley refugee camp for more than 20 years, I now have the opportunity to travel back to Kenya this summer to see her—my first encounter with her in 13 years.
* I intend to film the preparation, visit, and aftermath of seeing my mother in Dagahaley. Through my eyes, I hope to provide a critical examination that humanizes refugees, exposes our everyday lives, and dismantles the stereotypes that surround us.
* I also seek to show my experience as a Muslim refugee in America—as a New American, the ties to my religious and cultural heritage form a significant part of my individuality and I want to share my journey as a young adult straddling two cultures in times of heightened xenophobia and racism.
The Trip – URGENT!
I need to raise funds immediately to cover the expenses of documenting my trip back to the refugee camp in Kenya to visit my mom at the end of July. While I am paying my own travel costs (for my father and me), I have a professional photojournalist who is willing to accompany us and film our journey, but I must cover the costs of her travel. Please read on and consider making a donation today to help us finance this trip for her.
Budget For Trip ( Priority):
Airfare (U.S. to Nairobi) $2, 400
Airfare (Nairobi to Dadaab)/Driver/Security/Fixer, etc. $1,000
Rental room at camp (videographer) $500
Food/expenses (videographer) $500
Medical expenses (videographer) $500
Equipment rental $1000
Equipment insurance $ 400
Misc. Expenses (including videographer's visa) $500
Gofundme fees $200
Total $7,000
The Team
In 2005, Salat Ali, along with his father and brother, left a refugee camp in Kenya and landed in Syracuse, New York, which, among other upstate cities, welcomes refugees and immigrants. Salat successfully navigated the educational system and attended Cazenovia College, where he was on the men’s soccer team and earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017. Salat is a role model for youth leadership and community engagement, serving on the boards of RISE, a grassroots organization for refugee and immigrant self-empowerment in Syracuse and Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union. In addition, he is a camp counselor at Seeds of Peace, a peacebuilding and leadership development organization that brings youth and educators from areas of conflict to its camp in Maine.
The principal production team, Linda M. Herbert, Tim Brachocki and Ellen M. Blalock, are all independent filmmakers and educators. Each has over thirty years of professional experience, working in television and video production, journalism, photography and/or educational video. All three have received numerous grants and commissions from a variety of foundations, corporations and educational institutions, both local and national.
The Budget( Overall)
* Travel, including airfare, lodging, immunization and other medical expenses, and security for the photojournalist
* Video production (including multiple shooting locations in the U.S. and Kenya), post-production editing and preliminary distribution
Overall Total Cost of Documentary = $27, 450
Fiscal Sponsorship with Refugee & Immigrant Self-empowerment inc (RISE).
Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment Inc. (RISE), a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization, is the fiscal sponsor of the project. As such, your contribution to Salat's project can serve as a tax-deductible donation. Following your donation, I would be happy to provide you with a tax exempt letter.
How to Help
Thank you for your consideration of my project—any amount will be greatly appreciated!
(1) If you are looking to donate, please click on the orange Donate Now button on the top right of the page.
(2) You can also help us by Sharing this campaign on social media, by email, or with your friends.
The Project
Good day, world! My name is Salat Ali.
* I am currently seeking donations to produce a documentary about the refugee experience both here (U.S.A) and back home( Dadaab, Kenya).
* My parents were forced to flee Somalia and I was born in a refugee camp in Kenya. At the age of 11, I left with my father and brother to settle in the United States. We gained citizenship in 2012. My mother stayed behind. Feeling lost in an era of closed borders and coping with a mother who has been stranded in Dagahaley refugee camp for more than 20 years, I now have the opportunity to travel back to Kenya this summer to see her—my first encounter with her in 13 years.
* I intend to film the preparation, visit, and aftermath of seeing my mother in Dagahaley. Through my eyes, I hope to provide a critical examination that humanizes refugees, exposes our everyday lives, and dismantles the stereotypes that surround us.
* I also seek to show my experience as a Muslim refugee in America—as a New American, the ties to my religious and cultural heritage form a significant part of my individuality and I want to share my journey as a young adult straddling two cultures in times of heightened xenophobia and racism.
The Trip – URGENT!
I need to raise funds immediately to cover the expenses of documenting my trip back to the refugee camp in Kenya to visit my mom at the end of July. While I am paying my own travel costs (for my father and me), I have a professional photojournalist who is willing to accompany us and film our journey, but I must cover the costs of her travel. Please read on and consider making a donation today to help us finance this trip for her.
Budget For Trip ( Priority):
Airfare (U.S. to Nairobi) $2, 400
Airfare (Nairobi to Dadaab)/Driver/Security/Fixer, etc. $1,000
Rental room at camp (videographer) $500
Food/expenses (videographer) $500
Medical expenses (videographer) $500
Equipment rental $1000
Equipment insurance $ 400
Misc. Expenses (including videographer's visa) $500
Gofundme fees $200
Total $7,000
The Team
In 2005, Salat Ali, along with his father and brother, left a refugee camp in Kenya and landed in Syracuse, New York, which, among other upstate cities, welcomes refugees and immigrants. Salat successfully navigated the educational system and attended Cazenovia College, where he was on the men’s soccer team and earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2017. Salat is a role model for youth leadership and community engagement, serving on the boards of RISE, a grassroots organization for refugee and immigrant self-empowerment in Syracuse and Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union. In addition, he is a camp counselor at Seeds of Peace, a peacebuilding and leadership development organization that brings youth and educators from areas of conflict to its camp in Maine.
The principal production team, Linda M. Herbert, Tim Brachocki and Ellen M. Blalock, are all independent filmmakers and educators. Each has over thirty years of professional experience, working in television and video production, journalism, photography and/or educational video. All three have received numerous grants and commissions from a variety of foundations, corporations and educational institutions, both local and national.
The Budget( Overall)
* Travel, including airfare, lodging, immunization and other medical expenses, and security for the photojournalist
* Video production (including multiple shooting locations in the U.S. and Kenya), post-production editing and preliminary distribution
Overall Total Cost of Documentary = $27, 450
Fiscal Sponsorship with Refugee & Immigrant Self-empowerment inc (RISE).
Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment Inc. (RISE), a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit organization, is the fiscal sponsor of the project. As such, your contribution to Salat's project can serve as a tax-deductible donation. Following your donation, I would be happy to provide you with a tax exempt letter.
How to Help
Thank you for your consideration of my project—any amount will be greatly appreciated!
(1) If you are looking to donate, please click on the orange Donate Now button on the top right of the page.
(2) You can also help us by Sharing this campaign on social media, by email, or with your friends.
Organizer and beneficiary
Salat Ali
Organizer
Syracuse, NY
Haji Adan
Beneficiary