PROJECTS

The documentary feature film “Rising From Ashes was created with a common goal, to tell a story of redemption,hope, and second chances. It was not about the bike, however, the bicycle became a tool that has changed a nation.

Rising From Ashes was produced by two partnering non-profit organizations, Gratis 7 Media Group and Project Rwanda. Many have believed in the project over the past 6 years and have generously provided over $800,000 in funding. The film has been completely donor.

Team Rwanda started out as a cycling organization however they quickly learned they had to care for the greater needs of each athlete. Many of the riders could not read or write, lived in homes without water, electricity, were malnourished, and had never received healthcare, or even knew what a dentist was. But there was still a greater issue, the issues of the heart. These riders were all recovering from the traumaticpsychological effects of the 1994 genocide. Team Rwanda had to look deeper.
Team Rwanda has not solved all of these problems but it is making a difference.

While the team has taken care of the physical and mental issues it has provided something greater… hope.
Rwanda is a country recovering from one of the World’s most devastating genocides and they have longed for heroes. The riders of Team Rwanda have become more then just a cycling team, they have become ambassadors of hope and men to look up to. They have given the country a vision of something greater then themselves and a renewed sense of purpose.

Rising From Ashes is more than a movie, it’s a story tool that relates to each and every one of us. It’s a gateway of hope. But this is just the beginning. Since 2005 Team Rwanda has developed a model for caring for passionate athletes and it’s about to expand the vision. In 2012 Team Rwanda will begin the next phase, the development of Africa’s first all black, all African team to attempt the greatest cycling event in the world, The Tour de France.

For more information visit:
Website: risingfromashesthemovie.com

 

Director: Timothy Chew
Photography: Jeremy Rodgers and Timothy Chew
Line Producer: Kanysh Bektashova
Editor: Timothy Chew
Assistant Editor: Emilee Wuebben
Location Sound: John McDaniel
Location Manager: Dennis Weaver
Original Music: Josh Meyers
Executive Producers: Dave Mahanes, Brent Gudgel, TC Johnstone

Timothy Chew and Jeremy Rogers and a team of University of Texas film students will spend 7 weeks in Kyrgyzstan to produce “Mirlan”.

“Mirlan” is a 5 minute short documentary of an average man living out his faith amongst a predominantly muslim culture. This 32 year old father of 3 works a humble job as a shepherd of sick sheep tending them back to health. The film was completed in 2010 and is avalible via Deidox.com.

 

Forty years ago, Ed Everett went to Mexico to help the poor. What began as a simple trip became a path to destiny. A young father of six seized a unique opportunity, one for which he was unusually suited. Hearing Everett is a story of a families faith, love, and adventure as they overcome the impossible to build the first every free hand home for deaf children in Baja, Mexico.

Hearing Everett was produced in partnership between 3 non-profits. The film was completely donor funded with with over $600,000 in funding and professional services. The film was produced in 3 states and 2 countries with over 350 volunteers giving over 12,500 hours of service.

For more information visit:
hearingeverett.com