With a Little Help from Our Friends…

I’ve been getting around these past few weeks: all the way down the East Coast of the U.S. Here are some of the friends I’ve been able to meet up with who are connected to Groundwater Up:

On September 19, I got to meet Sarah Kelly and Arthur Richards in Boston in real life! These two characters were previously known to me only through legend and the interweb as the filmmakers of “Adapting to Scarcity.” Their film is part of a documentary media project in Guadalajara, Mexico that supports citizens’ movements for water rights. I think it’s especially notable that they’ll be passing out video cameras to community members.

Sarah, Katie and Arthur in Harvard Square (please note Arthur's mustache!)

We are thrilled to have them as our friends and collaborators.  One of our visions for the future is to create some sort of online platform– a virtual space where community members featured in our films in Mexico and India can come together with viewers in both countries and the U.S. to exchange ideas and videos about methods of water conservation and distribution.

For now, we wish them safe travels, since they have recently arrived in Meheeco.

September 26 was IHP Alum Day in Washington, D.C. I joined Moriah and several of our companions, professors, alums from other study abroad programs and years, and the 2009-2010 Rethinking Globalization group.  It’s always fun to have these sorts of meetings of minds to discuss idea and our latest projects. With a group like this, the possibilities are endless. Here are 4 exciting tidbits:

• Our good friend Riva, who works on educational programs for Heifer International, has graciously agreed to help us write an educational curriculum guide to distribute with our film!

• Moriah had a meeting with Maureen to talk about fundraising strategies.

• We got to see professors Jen and Oliver, who we’ll see again in Delhi, and Gustavo Esteva, who is a member of the advisory committee for our film.

• Met now-friend Bri, a writer and blogger. (Bri, we hope you make it to Delhi!)

Here’s another cheesy posed photo for your enjoyment. (Photos will get less cheesy from here on out. I promise.):

Friends and relations in Washington, D.C.