SEND JUNE TO PERU

My name is June Fukumura, I am a 22 year old, 4th year Theatre Performance Major and a Sustainability and Community Development certificate undergrad at Simon Fraser University. This summer, I am going on a 12 day humanitarian clown trip to Iquitos, Peru with The Belen Project and I need your help to get there! 

Since 2006, The Belen Project has been aiding the rural community of Belen located on the outskirts of Iquitos, Peru. The majority live in extreme poverty, without electricity, clean water or sanitation. It is by far one of the most distressed communities in the country.

Now, you may be wondering, why would they need clowns when they don’t even have clean water? Well, each year the project sends over 100 volunteer clowns to perform in hospitals, prisons, hospices, and on the streets. The performances are themed around sensitive issues such as sexual health and disease prevention but the clowns are able to engage the audience through fun, spontaneous play. The clowns also facilitate free workshops in dance, music, and drama, and help paint houses and murals bringing life and colour to the barren landscape.  Over the years, they have been enhancing physical, social, and human capital and as a result, Belen is slowly but surely becoming a more resilient community. The clowns are utilizing the power of creativity and imagination to help the community envision positive changes in their lives. 

After 4 years of comprehensive theatre training, I have come to the realization that this is the kind of work I want to do for life; art for a social purpose. For the longest time I wondered if there was such a thing that combined all of my passions: humanitarian aid, sustainability, travelling, childcare, and of course, performance. And when I found out about this opportunity, I couldn’t believe how perfect it was! This opportunity is everything that I could wish for.

I’m completely ecstatic and thrilled to jump in with both feet. I want to help others through performance. And I believe that clowning has the power to transcend language and cultural barriers; to revitalize the human spirit in ways that other forms cannot. So even if it’s just for 12 days, I want to immerse myself in the culture, learn as much as I can, and give everything that I can give to the community of Belen. 

HERE'S WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING:

Program fee - $1681.35 

                     -12 night stay in a hotel

                     -All breakfasts

                     -Transportation to and from the airport

                     -All clowning workshops during the festival

Lunch/Dinner for 12 days - $250 

Return Air Fare  - $1300

In total, this trip will cost me about $3200 CDS.

My goal on Indiegogo is $2800 (this includes the additional $100 that Indiegogo will take if I reach my goal) and $500 I will be saving on my own. If by chance, I don't make this goal, I will still collect the funds that I do get and put it towards this trip! I am SO determined to make this trip come true I will make it happen some how!

PERKS! PERKS! PERKS!

In addition to the biggest ‘thank-you’ from the bottom of my heart, any one who donates

$5 or more will get a cartwheel + a hi-five

$10 or more will receive a hand written thank you card snail mailed to you

$25 or more will receive a thank you letter and a dozen home made cookies

and higher level donations could receive one of the following: 

your very own hand made mini-clown mask + a dozen cookies 

a photo of Belen + a hand made artwork from Belen 

a memorabilia + a Skype call from Belen 

a home made sushi dinner for you and 3 friends 

IMPACT

Since they started in 2006 The Belen Project has gained momentum and has now expanded into a wider network, called “Red por Belen”(the Belen Network) and now includes the District City Hall of Belén, local and regional governments, the Regional Health Bureau (DIRESA), Pregnancy Education United Services of Peru (UGEL), The Wawa Wasi Program- Ministry of Women and Social Development (MIMDES), Municipal Defence of Child and Adolescents (DEMUNA) and various other organizations. Your contribution is helping The Belen Network gain even more momentum to expand free healthcare, community outreach programs, and continuing to show the families in Belen that there are people who do care about them. 

OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP

If you are able to donate today, I would like to thank you so much for getting me one step closer. But even if you aren’t able to donate money, that’s okay! By reading this and sharing this page you are also helping me in a big way! The more people know the more people can help! So please share this link on your Facebook or other social media sites, and visit my Facebook page and follow me along on this incredible journey! 

A million thank you’s to all my supporters! 

-June 

:o) 

Project Limelight rehearsing for There's No Place Like Oz

What a whirlwind today's dress rehearsal was!
Things got a bit worked up at times (as dress rehearsals are suppose to get) but all in all, I think everyone worked very hard and pulled it together! The performers were so thrilled to finally rehearse in the space with their costumes and tech. I was amazed to see the quality of these costumes, hair and makeup! It was incredible! It's hard to believe that this will be the first time some of the younger ones will be performing in a production as large as this one... and what an experience to be performing in front of a SOLD OUT HOUSE for both performances! I've heard so many people, including myself, say "man, I wish I had this kind of opportunity growing up!" And it's true. I mean, the "productions" I was in when I was young consisted of a shower curtain in the backyard with very supportive parents as an audience while my best friend and I performed improved make believe - which I must say, was very inspiring. But to have an opportunity like this at such a young age is so incredible!! Sure, some people may brush this off as a "kids show" but imagine years down the road a young up-and-coming theatre artist looks back and remembers this show as their starting point. In fact, one boy who saw last year's production of "Wonderland" was so inspired by the performance that he asked his dad if he could join Project Limelight. A year later he is one of the main characters of the show! See, it's already starting to happen!

This is why the community needs more programs like this one. Especially for children in the East Van neighborhood where chances like this are rare. Not only does it provide opportunities for young performers but it's a way of getting the parents, schools, and community involved.This is why I'm so passionate about this project and community engagement projects in general!

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to the revival of The Paper Crane Project!
I have decided to reopen this blog once again after a one year hiatus. Now, before I tell you about this revival I will update you on my past year. Since my volunteer expedition to Japan in the summer of 2011 I have been heavily involved in several theatre productions at SFU including: Escapement, ReCall, Women of Troy, and The Sandalwood Box. I have learned so much about art and life through interdisciplinary collaboration with many up-and-coming local artists. 2012 was a year of expansive creative explorations as well as fruitful self discoveries. So why reopen my blog now? After a year of intense theatre training, I felt it was finally time for me to start fusing my humanitarian efforts and artistic passion together!

This year, I am helping Project Limelight, a local theatre company for youth in the Strathcona neighborhood. The 18 performers between the ages of 8-12 have been working extremely hard for this year's production of "There's No Place Like Oz". I am so grateful to be working with such dedicated people in the local community who are all pitching in to make this show a success.

 The show will be on February 24th at 2pm and 6pm at the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema at SFU Woodward's (149 West Hastings St).

Please see the links below for ticket info.

There's No Place Like Oz - Tickets

In addition, I'd like to thank Emily Ross from SFU Vancouver who has written a blog post about my work in community engagement!

SFU Vancouver Blog - Feb 2013


Stay tuned for more community engagement initiatives in the near future!

Yesterday at Granville and Georgia

If you were in the downtown area you may have seen the students from Sendai Japan doing a fundraiser event for the earthquake and tsunami relief. Yesterday was the last day of street fundraisers in cooperation with BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, Japan Love, and the students from Tohoku Universtiy. What a great turn out we had! There were roughly 40-50 people who helped out with the fundraiser including a chorus group, people handing out fliers, and many people calling out to ask for support! The corner of Granville and Georgia was full of supporters for Japan!

Its been almost six months since the disaster happened and it was apparent during the fundraiser event that the general public had moved on... but despite that, there was a number of people who stopped by to donate or took a flier. One woman stopped by for 10 minutes and talked about her experiences in Japan and how she remembers the beautiful country. So even if it was for a brief moment the fundraiser was a great reminder to people to keep the conversation alive so that we don't forget about Japan.

Street Fundraiser with students from Sendai

FUNDRAISER EVENT THIS WEDNESDAY!! 

I received this email from the BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund coordinator.... 

"At this moment, several students from Sendai, 

Japan are staying in Vancouver, 

and they would like to share their earthquake/tsunami 

stories with as well as say thanks for supporting

Tohoku to Vancouverites. They are planning to do street
donations, so it would be great if you could

help do street donations together with them and 

share your stories with them! Please see below
for the detail."
 
Date: Wednesday August 31 from 6pm to 8pm  

(they will be there from 5pm though)
Location: Granville and Georgia St. 

in Vancouver Downtown, just
outside of the City Centre Station.

So this Wednesday will be a great opportunity to come show your continued support! 

It is a chance to meet the students from Sendai, a city that was heavily damaged by the 

March 11th disaster. I am so excited to participate because I was in Sendai this summer 

where I met with the Teachers For Japan group. 

If you're reading this now, please take a second to remember that although 

the newspapers and T.V. coverages have moved on, there are many 

towns and cities and people's lives that are still on the road to recovery.

It's so easy to forget when we live in such a fortunate place like Vancouver

so Wednesday will be a great day to take a brief moment

to remember the people in Japan! 

so please come down and show your support!! 

First Donation to TFJ!

Elementary school kids from Kesennuma, Miyagi.

Thanks to everyone who came out to BLVD22 to support the fundraiser event for Teachers For Japan!! It was a little last minute but we managed to get $150 in ticket sales/donations from one night! All $150 has already been donated via paypal on their website: Teachers For Japan ! The donations will be used to buy school supplies for the children of Miyagi Prefecture who are still suffering from the devastation of the March 11th tsunami. Many kids are currently living in government housing units built on school fields and have lost everything. But thanks to Teachers For Japan, some kids were given school supplies, backpacks, and school uniforms and are currently attending school once again!

Your support is very important so please take a look at their website if you haven't already!

Fundraiser for Teachers For Japan this Saturday at BLVD 22

This Saturday is ...

Le Prive Saturdays @ BLVD22: Customer Appreciation Night!
TEACHERS FOR JAPAN
FUNDRAISER EVENT!

I, along with my friends will be selling tickets for this event on Saturday August 13 at BLVD 22 to raise money for Teachers For Japan! How...? With the help of the event promoters we have permission to donate 100% of our personal ticket sales to Teachers For Japan!! 

So all you have to do is come out and enjoy the night!

For  $10 per ticket you get to have an amazing time AND support the kids of Miyagi, Japan. 

It's a win win for all of us! 

 

for more information on Teachers for Japan please click
 http://www.teachersforjapan.org/

and visit their blog at http://teachersforjapan.blogspot.com/

PLEASE NOTE: *the money from your ticket will only go to the fundraiser if the ticket is bought directly from me*

On the event night...

We are giving away over $1000 in prizes which includes:
- Tattoo Session @ http://ironhydetattoos.com​/
- Three Gift Cards for a Haircut / Pedicure / Manicure @ http://impulsesalon.ca/
- Two $75 Gift Cards @ http://www.delicatecarespa​.ca/
- Two 10 complimentary drink packages
- Makeup + Hair Styling session with Ramneek Dhillion
- 2 of the hottest new video games for PS3 and 360 

For ticket info please email me at jfukumura@hotmail.com

Thanks for all the continued support!

Hope to see you all there!