Reelaid director/actor Andy Lauer and cinematographer Josh Gibson spent 2 weeks in December 2010 in India to get footage for a cutting-edge documentary about our programs with the organization READ. Andy and cinematographer Rory-Owen Delaney are now busy on the post-production
The picture above was taken in December 2010, the picture below in November 2011. Thanks to HIV medications, the father's health has improved. The story of this family is highlighted in the video documentary.
Tamilarasan, an orphan boy featured in our documentary, grew up over the years from a boy to a young man.

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Dear Friends,
Sahaya International, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1999, consists of  a diverse network of friends who are committed to making a difference and improving the quality of life in developing countries. We are 100% volunteer-based. We assist and collaborate closely with local grassroots organizations, particularly in India and Kenya.
Thanks to the efforts of our many volunteers and the support from many donors, we have successfully implemented numerous programs and activities. Our accomplishments in India include the construction of 2 schools for underprivileged children, more than 180 orphan sponsorships, implementation of many HIV awareness, care & support programs, and the formation of more than 1,000 women self-help groups with micro-finance and -enterprise activities. In Kenya, Sahaya supports orphan programs and has established a large peer education network that uses a sign-language-based curriculum to teach deaf youth and adults about HIV and other health issues.

To take Sahaya International to the next level, reach a larger audience and widen our ripple effect of “making a difference,” a cutting-edge promotional video that would highlight our activities would be extremely useful. Because making a high-quality promotional video is expensive, Sahaya is collaborating with ReelAid (http://www.reel-aid.org), a Hollywood- based organization started by movie actor/director Andy Lauer. Reel-Aid consists of people who work in the film industry and who use their available resources and expertise to help make promotional videos, 10 to 15 minutes long, for small non-profit organizations - such as Sahaya - at a much reduced cost.

From December 11 through 23, 2010, Andy Lauer and Director of Photography Josh Gibson (www.joshsgibson.com) spent time in India to take the video footage. Currently Andy Lauer and Rory-Owen Delaney (http://www.mbdfilms.com) are working on editing.

Because of its direct connections with Hollywood, ReelAid guarantees that the narrator of Sahaya's promotional video will be a high-profile actor (such as Morgan Freeman, Sidney Poitier, Samuel Jackson or similar star).

Brad Pitt, Adrien Brody, Sidney Poitier, Film Director Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, Hancock) among others have all or are currently participating in ReelAid projects. The final product will have the opportunity be recoup costs and generate funds via distribution through DVD Sales and online viewing after having a healthy life at film festivals.

While ReelAid is able to provide many services and uses of equipment for free or at very reduced rates, there are still miscellaneous expenses that occur during the various production stages. They are estimated at $8,700 plus airfare. For a breakdown, click here.
Accordingly, we are seeking sponsorship from individuals and corporations that would like to invest in this video documentary. The different sponsorship categories are outlined below.

Please note: Your donation will have a double impact: To boost our fundraising campaign, an anonymous sponsor has come forward and agreed that every contribution that is made towards the video project (up to the total of $8,298) will be matched 1:1 by a contribution towards the construction of the much-needed 2nd level of the Mother Teresa School in Periyakrisnapuram. This school is run by our partner organization READ and provides basic education to 153 underprivileged children; for more information on this school, please visit http://www.readindia.in/mother_teresa_school.html.

We thank you in advance for any support you are able to provide, and encourage you to share this invitation with your relatives and friends. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions. Sincerely, Koen Van Rompay ( kkvanrompay@ucdavis.edu )

We have currently raised $8,710 of the $8,700 needed. Extra donations will still be acknowledged and will be used for any extra expenses of promotion/distribution and from then onwards for our children programs in India. Fundraising Ideas Update Fundraiser Thermometer Here

SAHAYA PROMOTIONAL VIDEO --  SPONSORSHIP LEVELS --

$20 or more = Supporter You will get your name in our online list of supporters and be invited to the premier screening of the video documentary. Supporter: Tara Johnson Ann and John Gunion Sandeep Maan

$100 or more = Producer level I All the benefits of Supporter, plus you will get your name in the video credits and website as Producer level I, and you will receive a copy of the DVD. Current Producers Level I: Dinesh Singh Bisht Mirriam Rafiq Guy and Akemi Turner An Van Rompay Kartika Jayashankar and Jason McAlister Susan Taylor Christoph Konrath Seema Sangita Paulina Zielinska Paul Verlodt West Family Van Dooren-Van Puyenbroeck Family Elisabeth Sherwin

$250 or more:  Producer level II All the benefits of the Producer Level I, plus you will get your name in the video credits and website as Producer level II, plus you will be invited to a reception prior to the premier screening of the video documentary. Current Producer Level II: Dr. Barbara Jenkins Stephanie Thrasher Lomelí-Loibl Family Sally Hirst Dominique VandeKerchove Veterinary Pathology Services bvba Dr. Hilde De Cock Joan Schelpe and Klaas Soethout Dr. Senthil Cheetancheri

$1,000 or more = VIP Producer: All the benefits of the Producer level II, plus you will get your name in the video credits and website as VIP Producer, plus you will be invited to a private dinner with Koen Van Rompay (founder of Sahaya International) and several Sahaya board members. Current VIP producer: Ramin and Rebecca Yazdani Melanie Bowden and Mark Wogulis Dr. Koen Van Rompay Family Ward and Sofie Vercruysse-Vandeputte Tara and Sahil Sood The Lee family

$5,000 or more = Executive Producer You will get all of the VIP Producer perks, plus your name & website in the film credits as Executive Producer.

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Donations are tax-deductible according to standard IRS rules.
A tax receipt will be provided at the end of the fiscal year.

There are 2 ways to donate:

1). By check.

Please please print out the form below or download this form in pdf format by clicking here:

Sponsorship Confirmation Form  Yes! I would like to support the production of a promotional video of Sahaya International and enclose a check (made payable to Sahaya International) for this amount: $__________ We plan to e-mail periodic updates on the production of this video via e-mail. Please check the box if you like to receive such e-mails:  Please add me to the email list. Name (as you would like it to appear for publicity purposes)                                               I do not wish to be publicly recognized for my gift. Business or Organization: ­                                                                                          Contact Name:                                                                                          Address:                                                                                                             City:                                                                State:                            Zip:                            Phone:                                              Email:                                                            Checks should be made payable to "Sahaya International". Please complete form and send with payment to: Sahaya International 2949 Portage Bay Avenue, Apt. 195 Davis, CA 95616

 

2). Via Paypal:

Click on the donate button below (and indicate then on the Paypal page: "Video/Mother Teresa School"):

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We thank you for your generous support!

Donations are tax-deductible according to standard IRS rules;
A tax receipt will be provided at the end of the fiscal year.

Click on the picture or here to download a high-resolution copy of this collage, which highlights a few of the many supporters and friends that together are Sahaya International. This collage was made for this video project.

 

Portraits of Andimadam - a few other clips.