My ActiveZaadz Project

So this is my project: to bring 10 orphans from the small village of Moshi, Tanzania to the United States for a 2-3 week exchange program. When I olunteered in Africa over Christmas, I promised 10 of the orphans at the TunaHAKI Centre for Street Kids that I would get the to the United States for a visit. You heard me - I PROMISED THEM. You see, these orphans specialize in acrobatics and have formed a pretty terrific little performing group. I want to bring them to the U.S. to study with professional acrobats, and to perform at fundraising events that I will organize. They need a permanent home, so the goal is to raise money to build them a new and improved shelter, with running water, and a theatre so people can come and see them perform. The trip to the U.S. will not only help raise funds, but it will help them back home. Word will spread like wildfire about their trip, and more local hotels and tour groups will invite them to perform (meaning more revenue), and more kids will want to join the shelter (meaning the rescue of more kids from the dangerous streets). I have found someone who wants to film a documentary about the kids and the trip here (provided I raise the funds to get them here) - so that eventual film will help raise awareness. I'm also hoping that if they come, I can get them some news coverage (People magazine, or The Today Show, etc..) I mean, it's not every day that acrobat orphans from the streets of Africa come to the United States, right? I am looking for ideas on where to go to raise the money for the trip. The airfare is the most expensive part. Once they're here, they can stay with families… local restaurants will donate meals, etc. Here's who I've contacted so far: 1) Circque du Soleil. I'm waiting to hear. 2) A nonprofit acrobatics school in San Francisco (Acro Sports). They are very excited about the project, and have agreed to solicit contributions from their clients, as well as train the kids from TunaHAKI during their visit. (This is very heartening, especially since I found this school just by surfing the web and sending a blind email.) 3) I will put together a short video to show at local rotary clubs, churches, etc… to try and get donations for the trip. The kids have expressed an interest in meeting other poor children like themselves when they come to visit, so I will see if I can have them perform for homeless youth groups in the Los Angeles area… but this is something I still have to look into. I am forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity and I will have a website up and running in a couple weeks. Once that happens, I will be able to take donations via Paypal or by check. Until then, I'm trying to find other contacts… corporations who might be inclined to help Africa, or street kids, or acrobats… Media or PR contacts who might want to get involved… These kids are so special. They just melt your heart. And so disciplined and well behaved! It's so hard to believe the traumas they have overcome. They are all little heroes and heroines. If anyone has any thoughts, please pass them my way. I'm willing to pursue any leads, no matter how remote the chance… And if you don't have any ideas, I'm happy just to have your love and support on this mission. And I am indeed a man on a mission…