God's Littlest Angels

Here is a promotional piece that we just finished for www.glahaiti.org.

"Quips & Quotes"

A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.

Thomas Mann (1875 - 1955)

"Quips & Quotes"

"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

Harry S Truman (1884 - 1972)

What is the CIMT?

You want the scoop on what we are doing in Haiti?




WHAT:

"The Caribbean Institute of Media Technologies" is a first-of-its-kind media training school, with the specific goal of offering technology-based storytelling skills to those living in underdeveloped nations.

The PRIMARY GOAL is to turn tools of MASS COMMUNICATION (i.e. TV & Radio) into tools of MASS EDUCATION. In so doing, we will partner our students with experts in every field (i.e. reforestation, literacy, health care, etc.) to create extremely high-quality educational programming, and then freely* broadcast those messages around Haiti via DVD field kits, broadcast transmission, internet, and so on. This initiative immediately overcomes several of Haiti's most significant educational challenges:

- Infrastructure. By cooperating with pre-existing NGOs, we can make our materials freely available and thereby experience a groundswell of distribution through non traditional means (like DVD field kits: a player, projector, speaker, screen, and power supply... either solar or generator). To supplement the grassroots distribution, existing infrastructure (TV and radio broadcast towers) will be used to its fullest potential. As demand increases and funding becomes available, additional transmission towers can be erected and more communities can install learning centers where the material is available via satellite streaming of the internet.

- Accessibility. Under this plan, everyone in a village has immediate access to the same quality education. This means that those who are presently excluded from gaining an education (i.e. children who cannot afford a uniform, shoes, or books as well as adults of all ages who have long-since missed out on the opportunity to gain a quality education) can now receive an education that actually rivals that of the expensive schools.

- Illiteracy. Haiti's illiteracy rate is between 52% and 88%. TV and radio immediately allows access to an education for those who cannot read or write. As a matter of fact, with TV we can actually teach literacy!

- Poorly trained teachers. Out of Haiti's 8 million people, very few are teachers. Even fewer are properly trained teachers. Many can barely read themselves and rely heavily upon memorization methods for their students. The resulting "education" is powerless to engage the mind in ways that can lead to sustainable solutions to Haiti's many problems. Our educational materials will engage the minds of viewers in ways that Haiti has thus far not experienced. It is not meant to replace the local teachers but to finally support them with an extremely valuable resource.

- Segmentation. In Haiti, educational materials are generally not crafted to meet the specific educational needs of the age groups. With audio and video educational resources, programs can be targeted directly to age groups and those with special needs (i.e. animation for children, documentaries for adults, and so forth).

- Effectiveness & Sustainability. By pairing our professional storytellers with experts in every field, now every school in possession of our educational resource kit will be able to share highly effective, extremely well-informed information, presented in Kreyol "for Haitians, by Haitians." The resulting "ownership" this causes is essential for the country and for the sustainability of the project.

This is a PILOT PROGRAM. Upon successful completion of the model, it shall be made available for expansion into other underdeveloped nations.

WHO:

While we are excited about seeing this program expand into other underdeveloped nations, our attention is presently focused on the Haitian people and the establishment of a functional program and a stable learning environment inside of Haiti.

WHERE:

The first operational campus of "The Caribbean Institute of Media Technologies" will be based in Cap Haitien, Haiti.

As soon as possible, we will be expanding to include several satellite classrooms elsewhere in Haiti.

WHEN:

We have been conducting ongoing media technology training in Haiti for the past year. Thus far, the response has been remarkable and has pushed us confidently into the next phase of our vision.

We are presently on course to open our first full-time classes in 2009.

HOW:

Haiti is a unique country, built upon a very provocative and volatile history. In its present state, due to the challenges that come with extreme poverty, the resulting social instability, and an overwhelming lack of basic modernization, selecting eligible students and offering them an education in "creative storytelling" requires an approach that is equally unique and culturally relevant. The result is an often non-traditional method of teaching, valuing functionality over form, and drawing from a wide variety of available curriculums, resources, and disciplines.

This program will be "decidedly different" from similarly rated programs in the United States.

"The creative equivalent of a monastery", the institute is a refuge from the struggle of survival and a sanctuary of imagination wherein each student can safely explore and refine their own voice, method, and style in a timeframe that is decidedly unique, determined more by their personal journey than by formula.

Through the pursuit of "creative community" with our students, we strive to not only teach a set of critical storytelling skills, but to likewise imbue and refine a profound sense of confidence within the heart and mind of each student, thereby affording them the confidence to use their burgeoning skills under any circumstance they may face.

The primary educational goal of the the school is to train "creative storytellers" using current and expanding forms of media technologies. We are passionate about seeing each student achieve a level of mastery and refinement in their ability that is deserving of the finest storytelling opportunities to come.

Excellence is our educational objective.

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Please take the time to visit our website (<- Click here) to get personally involved!



It's all right there!

*The use of the word "freely" here is intended to say that the end-viewer is not going to be charged anything to have access to the material. Clearly, the ability to spread these educational messages, whether through DVD field kits or electronic broadcasts, is a costly proposition. That is one of the reasons that you are so vital to what is being done!

"Quips & Quotes"

The folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is inborn in us.

- Paul Valery (1871 - 1945), 1895

"Tips & Tricks"

Viral video is a great way to spread the word about what you are doing. The best part is, it's FREE! If you are a professional (non-profit or otherwise) and looking to spread the word about what you do to a growing but complex marketplace, think of what you can do to draw in some attention.

Here's a fun example!



Some pointers as you consider your approach:

- It should not be overly fancy. Simple is best

- Be provocative! It should raise more questions than it answers.

- Include your website or contact info in the video.
No sense posting a video if people don't know how to find you.

- It should be SHORT. Audience attention span is generally minuscule.

% of Audience who watched the entire video

10 sec. = 89.61%
20 sec. = 80.41%
30 sec. = 66.16%
60 sec. = 46.44%
2 min. = 23.71%
3 min. = 16.62%
5 min. = 9.42%

Source: Tube Mogul & Cynposis
Cited from Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Now have fun and good luck!

CIMT is Tweeting!

If you Tweet, please add us to your fold by clicking on the logo above! Thanks!

"Quips & Quotes"

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.

-Lily Tomlin

You have not cause you ask not!

I went through Arby's the other night. I ordered a combo meal. When I was done, the lady said, "Is that all?" I said, "Actually, it would be great if I didn't have to pay for that." When I pulled around, she gave me 10% off.

It may sound silly, but when there is something that you desire... go ahead and ask. In the end, you might be surprised at what you get.

On a lighter note...

For those who don't know, in Haiti, Coke is still served in glass bottles. And if that weren't enough... in Haiti, Coke is sweetened by cane sugar.

You cannot imagine how good it is. This commercial pretty much sums it up.

"He said" - Seriously, who do they think we are?

For those who remember, I made a trip to Dubai last year (for work) and was witness to the most amazing fireworks the world has ever seen.

Upon returning, I told lots of friends and family that Dubai is a bubble about to pop. The amount of development there defies all reason and logic. There is simply NO WAY that such grandiose development can be backed by ACTUAL MONEY... and must therefore be a farce of epic proportions. I mean, seriously, they are building islands (not just building ON islands... but building islands in the ocean... and THEN building on them) and selling bars of gold in the airport! Sound like a fairy tale?

It turns out, my gut feeling was right.

I love how that article ends:

Real estate investment may not soon return to pre-2009 levels, said Woertz, the economist, but he warned against dire predictions.

"Dubai is here to stay. It will not vanish into the sea," he said.

He said? Seriously? He said? We're supposed to feel better about all of this because "he said" so?

It's funny, because I come from a line of thinking which suggests that statements of this kind are required to have intelligent data behind them in order for them to be taken seriously. Sadly, countless people have made empty claims just like those from "Woertz The Economist" and have continued to suck in more and more fools, ready to part with their money.

This article causes me to wonder... IF I CAN SEE THIS CHARADE AND I AM NOT A FINANCIAL GURU... then WHO IS RUNNING THIS CIRCUS?

The world economy is teetering on the brink of cataclysmic doom.

So, since I seem to be smarter than the fine people who are building Dubai or bailing out banks and auto manufacturers, let me go ahead an educate you:

You cannot spend more than what you make and expect it to end well. It will not end well. Ever. The only positive choice is to live within your means. Sadly, in addition to that truth, the poor are paying the price for the thieves and liars who receive bailouts and build emerald cities on islands made from thin air.

To all of the foolish (and greedy) investors out there, I'd like to caution you. Building something from nothing, and then watching it crumble... that is the least of your worries. Your greater concern should be the millions of people you allowed to starve, rot, and fester in order to build your lie.

Kingdoms are not built for free, and flagrant inhumanity will not go unanswered.

There are no free rides.

Be prepared for what this may actually cost you.

In the meantime, for the poor and suffering of the world, may God have mercy.