You might be, without even knowing it…

Can apathy toward injustice hold a person as a captive, unable to make a difference? Or maybe it’s not the apathy, but the lack of information of how to truly help those facing harsh realities of poverty-stricken lands. Well, we’re about to find out.

Our good pal, author Kelsey Timmerman, has been taken hostage by his publisher, because of his indifference to injustice in Kenya. Since being “detained” to raise money to go serve in Africa, Kelsey has learned about Kibera, the largest slum south of the Sahara. Over 1 million people live on the outskirts of Nairobi in a slum where the average person lives without clean drinking water (read: mixed with sewage as there is only one latrine for every 100 people), without education (especially girls), and subject to gang tyranny, among other sad factors.

It’s time to do something.

Kelsey is hoping to raise enough money to partner with LIA, MacDonald Photography, and yours truly, to film a documentary about what can really change the situation: holistic community development through micro-enterprise. By giving people at the grass-roots level not only the dignity but also the practical necessity of having a stable, respected occupation, communities can change tremendously for the good of all. Together, we are hoping that this documentary will make the everyday American not only aware of the situation in African slums, but also of how to realistically help that situation change.

Want to escape apathy and help now? You can donate to the cause, learn more, help decide Kelsey’s fate by voting, or tweet this:
“Don’t be Held Hostage by Apathy! http://bit.ly/ae2XCA #apathyhostage”

Plus, all donors’ names will appear in the film credits. If you can’t wait for the release this fall, check out This is My Home, our first documentary about the street children of Ethiopia, and how LIA is working to bring hope into a desperate situation there.

Oh, and big props to our friends at Wiley and Relevant for helping us get the word out!

Every once and a while we get the privilege to work with an organization whose main function is changing the world for the better. Life In Abundance is one of those organizations. About 2 years ago we were introduced to LIA and ever since meeting them we have been cheerleading their cause, encouraging everyone we know to get involved with this amazing African based non-for-profit. Reflecting over the past 2 years it’s a little overwhelming to see all that we have done together. From revamping their identity to the near completion of a documentary (available for public purchase soon!!) it has been an exciting journey to see where we have been and where we have come. In celebration of the work we have done together, we wanted to take a look back at the evolution of the LIA identity. Read the rest of the entry >

The day started off well, with a great breakfast of pancakes, Nutella and peanut butter cooked by our ever-so-gracious hosts. After filling our bellies and loading up the van once again with all of our equipment, we made our trip to the slums. I was especially excited for today because we would be following and interviewing Samrawit. We met Samrawit a couple days ago when she came to the LIA compound for English and math lessons. It was her who approached us. She was more than eager to practice her English and take pictures with the visitors. We saw it right away, this girl was smart and assertive. There was something special about Samrawit.

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If the harsh reality of life for kids on the streets of Addis Ababa had not become painfully apparent to us before, it was now. Meeting the children under the garbage bags and seeing the drunken, strung out adults they were destined to be was painful in a way that challenged prejudices and theories I didn’t know I had. It was with a mix of sadness and anticipation that the rest of the group headed out the next night.

The goal of this midnight venture was to meet and hopefully talk to some of the girls and young women who called the streets home. The night before the children the team had met were just a part of the stories of the streets. We were told that many girls who start off on the streets go into prostitution as a way of supporting themselves. We went out that night in hopes to hear their stories. Read the rest of the entry >

Day 5 in Africa…

Day 5 began early for a few of us who went to film Dereje’s goodbye and trip back to Addis. Dereje usually leaves much earlier on Monday mornings due to construction, but since he was going to ride back with us today, he was more than happy to depart from his family a little later.

At 6 am we made our way through the sleepy streets of Debre Berhan passing the morning commuters still wiping the sleep from their eyes. Dereje’s neighborhood much the same; quiet with only the sounds of a lone rooster and tiny birds filling the morning air. It was a gorgeous morning.
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