Our Story

We believe in a world where business means mutual benefit.

We believe in a world where media means discovering potential.

We believe in a world where success means counting the lives added value to.

We believe it is time to start doing things a bit differently.

Villages Connecteds mission is to turn media on its head, focusing on potential, not poverty.  We create and equip African media coops so community members can share their perspectives on opportunities around them. Villages Connected puts the power of portrayal back into Africans hands.

Then we support African entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality through business training and microfinance loans.

All of this is captured on film and in photographs taken by the community members.

It doesnt end there.

Villages Connected follows a new way of working - a social enterprise that uses media to link African community members with carefully chosen socially responsible businesses. VC connects the African media co-op with the business as their first media client. Its not charity. The co-op creates an ad that expresses the values of the business values shared between Africans, the socially responsible business and you.

Makes sense. African communities help businesses that care to showcase what they stand for. The businesses supports community development by purchasing the media co-ops services. You share their media. You support businesses that share your values. Your support encourages other businesses to step up and take care of our planet.

In June and July 2011, our team will travel to Fort Portal, Uganda to assist the media co-op in showcasing their communitys potential and the many stories that connect them. They will make a revolutionary film that for the first time, will give the world a window into the soul of their community. This film will travel the world in festivals and online. Please, spread the word and help us reach the masses.

Our team brings a wealth of experience and a belief in Ubuntu - that we are all made human by our connections with other humans.

de Villiers A South African-Canadian social entrepreneur and film producer

Ernie Our director of photography his talent has landed him National Geographic & BBC credits

Greg A communication for development and monitoring & evaluation guru currently making media that matters in Cameroon

Caroline A microfinance and economic development pro used to helping communities find their potential

Tigh-na-mara Resort & Spa   A Socially Responsible Business with global values: People Planet Profits

Camp Uganda - Our on the ground partner in Fort Portal, Uganda

The Impact

I am human because I belong, I participate, I share  -- Desmond Tutu

Except, not everyone has been given equal opportunities to share.  In Africa, words have been put into peoples mouths.  Now an all-pervasive picture of African poverty is embedded in every nook and cranny of our subconscious. This must stop.

The re-branding of poverty starts with marginalized peoples being able to create media that has a positive impact on their lives and ultimately all of ours.

The impact is intensified in Fort Portal: Villages Connected starts supporting 10 people with microloans and business training.  When the money is paid back it will be lent out again. The first 10 will, within a short time, become 15 - 20 50 entrepreneurs unlocking opportunities to overcome poverty.

The impact travels back to the West where the socially responsible businesses and you revolutionize how we view African poverty and global values. You help show the world that business done right, benefits all.

What We Need & What You Get

$20 000 is all itll take to create an impact large enough for the world to take notice! But the more we raise, the more businesses we can support and the further community media can spread.

Our fundraising plan has two milestones!

Milestone 1: $15,000 - June 1st: Heading to Uganda we need to have raised enough to outfit the media co-op.

Milestone 2: $5000 more! - July 1st, For when Fort Portal's small businesses are ready to access their microloans.

Why two milestones?  We thought you'd like to get to know the entrepreneurs!  In June well share the media co-op's first videos, including interviews with them.  Once you too see the potential of their business ideas, we think you'll want to INCREASE your contribution.

What exactly will the funds be used for?

10 Video cameras <$200 each>

10 Digital cameras <$150 each>

01 Laptop computers <$1000 each>

01 Solar panels <$700 each>

01 Micro projector <$500 each>

02 1TB Harddrives <$150 each>

$5000 for microfinance fund

$9000 for training costs, production costs, travel & housing in Uganda

Help us exceed our goal and the extra will be added to the microfinance fund!

If your contributions dont pile up as high as wed hope, the project will still happen!  The media co-op and microfinance fund will still happen it will just be smaller.  Help us make a bigger impact!

With each new media coop, Villages Connected will repeat the process equip the media coop, set up the microfinance fund, train more citizen journalists, connect socially responsible businesses and deliver straight to the heart and mind media content. Lets work together and impact 5, 10 even 15 communities in the coming years.

Other Ways You Can Help

There are 40 000 people living in Fort Portal. We want to see how fast we can have 40 000 people support this innovative community.

The more support we have, the bigger the impact on the African communities , socially responsible businesses and you.

Villages Connected will be posting updates, snap shots and bits of video from Fort Portal as the project gets underway.

So, follow along and share the stories produced by the media co-op!

Most importantly, spread our Unlocking Potential Re-branding Poverty fundraising campaign to your friends and family.  Use Indiegogos Share buttons. Lets match the number of people in Fort Portal! Help us reach 40 000.