Today is the day our journey begins...Actually it began for me about three weeks ago when an email solicitation for funds found its way into my inbox. After reading about Debi Rubera, a school teacher in the Alaskan interior who encouraged her k-12 students to dream big and set their sights on a field trip to the lower 48, I thought to myself "HOW CAN ANYONE NOT HELP THESE KIDS?"
My initial thought was to send funds, but then I too started to dream bigger. I imagined myself growing up in a small remote village, on an island in the middle of the wilderness, with limited access to resources, and even less opportunity to break out of the isolated life that I was accustomed to. I thought about the courage it must take to dream big under these circumstances. I felt inspired by the story of these children, and reminded that the process of making dreams come true is the same whether you come from an island in the wilderness, inner city, or suburbs.
Realizing a dream come true involves first believing that it can come true. Then comes hard work and perseverance, overcoming adversity, more hard work, and often a helping hand or two.
It turns out that my way to help is to produce a film about Stony River Alaska and the transformation that is happening there RIGHT NOW as these Alaskan villagers prepare to send their children on the "trip of a lifetime." I am hopeful that this will become "Opportunity For a Lifetime" for these kids and others that they touch with their incredible story.
Special thanks go out today to Cox Communications, Alaska Airlines, and Planet Solar who have sponsored the film and enabled me and my dedicated film crew to travel to Anchorage today, and on to Stony River Alaska tomorrow.
My initial thought was to send funds, but then I too started to dream bigger. I imagined myself growing up in a small remote village, on an island in the middle of the wilderness, with limited access to resources, and even less opportunity to break out of the isolated life that I was accustomed to. I thought about the courage it must take to dream big under these circumstances. I felt inspired by the story of these children, and reminded that the process of making dreams come true is the same whether you come from an island in the wilderness, inner city, or suburbs.
Realizing a dream come true involves first believing that it can come true. Then comes hard work and perseverance, overcoming adversity, more hard work, and often a helping hand or two.
It turns out that my way to help is to produce a film about Stony River Alaska and the transformation that is happening there RIGHT NOW as these Alaskan villagers prepare to send their children on the "trip of a lifetime." I am hopeful that this will become "Opportunity For a Lifetime" for these kids and others that they touch with their incredible story.
Special thanks go out today to Cox Communications, Alaska Airlines, and Planet Solar who have sponsored the film and enabled me and my dedicated film crew to travel to Anchorage today, and on to Stony River Alaska tomorrow.
I'm so inspired! When it's all said and done, what really matters in life is the lives we touched... Wow!
ReplyDeleteI'll be following your blog Michael!
ReplyDeleteMy dream is to get to visit Stony River again,
ReplyDeletewhere I lived so long ago. Maybe next summer!!!
Please give my greetings to everyone you meet there.
Jeanne
I love that you're living the dream while helping those kids live the dream...I always wanted to do what you are doing and love your energy! Following your blog via my twitter acct at Indie Learning Institute - God bless!
ReplyDeletehey this is Jenna!I love u & miss u.hope u r having a great time.
ReplyDeleteHi, it's Michaela! I read your whole story so far, and I'm really excited to find out what happens next! :-) I'm totally inspired!
So excited to see God's plan unfold here. I'll be watching and praying.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all a great trip and lifetime experience!! I am about to post this on my FB profile and hope it touches and inspire more people to follow their dreams and "Dream Big!!"
ReplyDeleteGreat job Debi, if there is someone who can make this work, it is you! :)
Debi is one of the people who inspired to become a teacher. She has a dedication to her students like no other. If anyone can make this happen she can.
ReplyDeleteLove & Payers, Nicole (former student)
Michael - what you and Debi are doing is absolutely amazing. I live in Scotland and was lucky enough to visit Stony River last year, to do some creative writing with the students there and in other villages (I've been back three times now). It's a special place, but what makes it extra special are the people. I love them and miss them very much (great to see the picture of Junior!) The students are so talented, friendly, and fun and it made me very happy to spend time with them. They have a special place in my heart. I hope to go back soon but, in the meantime, I will be following your blog with great interest. I am glad that many people will now get to see how wonderful these students are. I hope that I'll be able to see the finished documentary over here.
ReplyDeleteThank you for what you and the crew and Debi are doing for my lovely friends in Stony River.
Best of luck and have loads of fun.
Donna
great photography! Marcia Schmidt
ReplyDeleteGreat post... thanks for sharing this informative blog
ReplyDeleteDigit Bazar offers best 2D Explainer and Animation video production as well marketing....
Source: digitbazar.com