“Rising from Ashes” is a feature length d ocumentary about two worlds colliding when cycling legend Jock Boyer moves to Rwanda\, Africa to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursu e their dream of a national team. As they set out against impossible odds both Jock and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of the ir past.
\nThe documentary feature film Rising From Ashes was created with a common goal\, to tell a sto ry of redemption\, hope\, and second chances. It was not about the bike\, however\, the bicycle became a tool that has changed a nation.
\nRis ing From Ashes has been produced by two partnering non-profit organization s\, Gratis 7 Media Group and Project Rwanda. Many have believed in the pro ject over the past 6 years and have generously provided over $800\,000 in funding. The film has been completely donor funded and we currently have n o debt on the motion picture.
\nTeam Rwanda started out as a cycling organization however they quickly learned they had to care for the greate r needs of each athlete. Many of the riders could not read or write\, live d in homes without water\, electricity\, were malnourished\, and had never received healthcare\, or even knew what a dentist was. But there was stil l a greater issue\, the issues of the heart. These riders were all recover ing from the traumatic psychological effects of the 1994 genocide. Team Rw anda had to look deeper.
\nTeam Rwanda has not solved all of these p roblems but it is making a difference. Riders are provided a modest salary to help provide for themselves and their families\, equivalent to three t imes the national average income. Riders are given English lessons and tau ght how to read and write. Healthcare is provided for the ongoing issues o f malaria and water born diseases. When funds are available\, the riders a re given regular health checks and dental care. The riders are given the r esponsibility of being ambassadors for their country to the World.
\nWhile the team has taken care of the physical and mental issues it has pr ovided something greater… hope. Rwanda is a country recovering from one of the World’s most devastating genocides and they have longed for heroes. T he 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.
\nRising 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. Bu t 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. I n 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.
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20130309T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20130309T200000 LOCATION:Center for the Arts @ 240 South Glenwood Street\, Jackson\, WY 830 01\, USA SUMMARY:Rising from the Ashes URL:http://planetjh.com/ai1ec_event/rising-from-the-ashes/?instance_id= X-COST:$10 general admission X-TICKETS-URL:http://www.jhcenterforthearts.org END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR