|
|
To see your friends' actions, login to right in Short Cuts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| People that have: |
| Viewed |
261 |
| Rated |
8 |
| Endorsed |
9 (view) |
| Contributed |
2 ($50 - view) |
| Promoted |
1 (11 total) |
| Referred |
2 (6 total) |
| Commented |
3 (3 total) |
| Friends |
8 |
| Team Members |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Grassroots United |
| Soccer, AIDS and 11 kids from America and Africa bridging cultural divides |
 New York,
New York
United States
|
|
|
Idea
|
|
|
Team
|
|
|
Chance of Success
|
|
|
|
| Tags:
aids
soccer
children
africa
documentary
southafrica
hivprevention
sports
development
grassrootsoccer
ethanzohn
survivor
surivorafrica
|
Synopsis: As the sun paints the sky with colorful strokes, we see children racing down the golden-kissed field, soccer ball dancing between feet; we hear laughter and cheers. All we know: this is clearly not urban America. Cityscape of Boston. Ethan Zohn, 2003 “Survivor Africa” winner and former professional soccer player in Zimbabwe, red ribbon pinned to his jersey, dribbles a ball side-by-side with Johnny Smith, a high school student competing to be part of the Grassroot Soccer United campaign — pairing up 11 students from America with 11 students in South Africa to play soccer and learn about AIDS prevention.
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. By the end of 2006, there were an estimated 39.5 million people around the world diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. Despite the proliferation of organizations attempting to combat AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the rate of new HIV infections remains extremely high. More alarmingly, young people under the age of 25 account for half of all new infections worldwide; 6000 become infected everyday.
Grassroot Soccer, founded by Tommy Clark and Ethan Zohn in 2003, has created a new model hooking students in and teaching them AIDS prevention. Using the popularity of soccer, Grassroot Soccer lures the students into a safe, stigma-free environment where they can openly shed the silence surrounding the disease often tantamount to a catalyst in the spread of the disease.
August 2008. Grassroot Soccer is linking American youth to the AIDS crisis in Africa. We follow Ethan Zohn from Boston to Washington, DC and countless high school students who join him in a dribble to raise money and awareness and to link American youth with African counterparts already part of the Grassroot Soccer system.
We meet the students as they prepare to for the summer of 2009, when they will meet their counterparts in Richmond, South Africa.
A group of kids kick an empty coke bottle on the streets pretending they are playing for their national team in the World Cup. Inside the newly built community sports center, Johnny Smith meets Fridah Daka, the African teen with whom he was paired. Fridah explains to him with confidence and without shame that her mother is HIV positive, but that she is making choices to remain HIV-free and combat the spread of HIV in her community. “This is awesome,” says Johnny. “When I started I really just kinda wanted to play soccer with some of my heroes. But now I’m part of something bigger.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goal
$500
|
How will these funds be used?
Travel/production expenses per one week production trip following Grassroot Soccer's Ethan Zohn in New England
|
| $10 |
Fan |
Thanks for your contribution! |
| $50 |
Teammate |
Thank you credit. |
| $100 |
Coach |
Thank you credit, copy of the film |
| $1,000 |
The Big Leagues |
Special Thank You credit, copy of the film and invitation to screening. |
| $5,000 |
Associate Producer |
Associate Producer credit, copy of the film and invitation to screening. |
| $10,000 |
Producer |
Producer credit, copy of the film, invitation to premier screening. |
|
|
|
|
|
What makes Grassroots United different?
This is not your typical social issue film -- it highlights the hope and a unique method in combating AIDS through exciting prevention teaching, and the promise of spreading a model across the world that can be translated into many sports for many issues.
After completion of the film, the producers intend to utilize the film as a larger grassroots movement.
Please contact us to learn more about the Grassroots United movement. We are also trying to fund-raise to sponsor two inner-city children to be part of the final 11 who go to Africa next summer.
|
What is the name of the legal entity behind this project, if any?
(not yet completed)
|
| Tip: Ask a question of your own down in COMMENTS! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help Wanted
|
| We're looking for someone to focus on fundraising for the film -- getting corporate sponsors on board, grants, investors, etc. Any creative means welcomed! Proven track record of fundraising success ideal... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help Wanted
|
| We're looking for interns -- editorial interns and general production company intern to do overall project assistance. Potential to move up. |
|
|
|
|
Camera Assistants/General Crew
|
|
|
|
Help Wanted
|
| I have dislocated my knee cap and need help shooting on some of the events. Unfortunately, until we have funding, you'd have to be willing to work for expenses. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team Member
|
| Associate Producer |
|
|
|
|
|
| shilpi (Wed Oct 29) |
|
hi all --
14 days left to go! we just received a personal donation of $500! Thank you for your support... every penny helps as we continue following Ethan Zohn dribble down to Washington, DC. -- If you're in the DC area around Thanksgiving, and particularly on Dec 1, come out and support as we gather a crowd to close out the Dribble on World AIDS Day! |
|
| shilpi (Sat Oct 25) |
|
Only 18 days left folks! Please spread the word... Grassroot Soccer's United campaign has been extremely successful. They have already connected with hundreds of kids along the eastern seaboard, had a star-studded gala and soccer match in NYC, and have continued on their way to DC.... with our cameras following in tow!
The film has gotten amazing feedback from the community, and every penny could help us continue to be entrenched with Ethan Zohn and GRS, and hire the best people to truly make it a success! |
|
| shilpi (Fri Sep 26) |
|
| Hey everyone, we're about to launch a website and we're still looking for key crew positions, including a Producer/fundraiser. We're also interested in Executive Producers or investors. Please contact Shilpi if you're interested. |
|
| shilpi (Sun Sep 21) |
|
Grassroot Soccer started production with Ethan Zohn at several youth events along the eastern seaboard!
We've raised $1000 through a fundraising party which helped pay for the first three production trips, but every penny would help!
We're also looking for interns at this time (since there is no funding) and/or a fundraiser... so drop a line if interested!
thanks -
Shilpi |
|
|
|
|
