Uganda 2010: Show Mercy
(updated June 22, 2010)
I am planning a three-week trip this fall to Gganda Village, a town outside of Kampala, Uganda. During my visit, I will be recording an album of music with children and musicians in the region. The audio tracks will be turned into a CD when I return, and sales will directly benefit Show Mercy International, based out of Albany, Oregon.
We are still working on filling in some variables in the budget. Per my last meeting with Show Mercy founders Mike and Lori Salley, our estimate is that it will cost around $3,000 to complete the project. Here’s a breakdown:
Airfare ~ $1,750 (PDX-EBB) (OR an in-kind donation of airline miles)
Visa = $50
Ground transportation:
- between airport and hotel ~ $20 each way (total ~ $40)
- between hotel and village ~ daily: $1 each way (total ~ $21)
- other ~ ?
Lodging: Hotel Ivory ~ $15/night (total ~ $315) (or, possible homestay?)
Food ~ $10/day max. (total ~ $210)(less if eating like Ugandan)
Travel insurance ~ $25
Other misc. travel expenses ~ ?
Costs to compensate local musicians
Recording studio costs (if applicable)
Additional media (external hard drive, memory cards, video cassettes, film, etc.)
In-kind: I am also seeking equipment donations (or loans) for the following:
- laptop computer (for use as a mobile recording studio)
- microphones and cables
- recording software
- digital/analog interface
- any ‘additional media’ listed above: external hard drive, memory cards, video cassettes, film, etc.
Tax-deductible donations can be made through this Show Mercy Short Term Missions Support link.
To apply your donation to this particular project, write my name in the Donor Comments field after entering your personal information.
Please contact me directly at 920-410-0465 or powersmusic@hotmail.com with questions and thoughts.
Thanks a ton for your interest, support and help!
This section is for questions that I’ve been getting via emails and Facebook. I figured it might be a good idea to copy and paste them here, in case anyone else has the same inquiries.
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Q: I’m wondering if it’s okay to share your post/link with others (people who may not know you, but want to help)?
A: Please DO share it with anybody you know- thanks a million! I’ve never before asked people for money; it feels a little weird. But I really believe in the project and think that it WILL do a lot of good for children in that area!
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Q: What if you don’t raise the necessary funds?
A: I’ve been getting this one a bunch. Two answers:
#1: I will! (Gotta think positively, right?) :)
And #2: If not, the project still goes on pretty much as intended. I am committed 100% to traveling there, making the recording, releasing the CD and helping SMI and the kids in their program. Maybe it’s me going broke, sleeping on someone’s floor in Gganda Village and recording with an old cassette deck. But it’ll happen- one way or another.
