STEALING THE SHOW AT THE SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY stole the stage last Friday at the SOHO International Film Festival earning BEST DOCUMENTARY and BEST WORLD SHOWCASE!

TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY, produced and directed by Emmy Award winner Sylvia Caminer, chronicles the intimate journey through Tanzania of two best friends from vastly different worlds. Kristen, an all-American blue-eyed blonde-haired girl travels with her best friend and Tanzania native, Vennance, to his homeland. While exploring the culture and breathtaking landscapes, a disaster strikes that ultimately changes the lives of everyone involved.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund Angels Flaviana Matata(Miss Tanzania, 2007) and Rhama (International Super Model) were in attendance at the SOHO premiere and were deeply moved by the film’s powerful message.

“TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY reminds us that some of life's most precious gifts are priceless. When we allow our hearts and minds to be open, the possibilities are endless.” 

—Flaviana Matata, DEF Africa's Angel

“The documentary explores a land of beautiful nature, traditions, and the lust for life of Tanzanians, despite their unfortunate circumstances. Despite all the smiles and laughter, we must remember that extreme poverty and diseases is the reality of many people across the globe, which kills every second.”

—Rhama, DEF Africa's Angel

While TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY has successfully competed in three prominent film festivals, MALAIKA FOR LIFE and Dolger Films hope to keep this inspiring documentary’s journey alive. Kickstarter is providing audiences and supporters the unique opportunity to back this budding film as it enters a volatile point in its existence. Every donation helps Caminer and the team enter TANZANIA into larger film festivals world wide, spreading this amazing story of two friends sharing in a journey that forever changes who they are. 

Your friend in solidarity,

Ashley

World Malaria Day 2011

Today, scholars, politicians, and activists gathered in New York not only to recognize and commemorate those suffering from malaria, but also to celebrate the enormous progress that has been made in recent years to promote awareness, treatment options, and prevention of this deadly disease. Founder Kristen Kenney represented MALAIKA FOR LIFE at the Malaria Day Roundtable Luncheon on World Malaria Day, hosted by Roll Back Malaria and the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Malaria, in cooperation with the UN Foundation and UNICEF.

On World Malaria Day, singer/songwriter, actress and Populations Services International Goodwill Ambassador Mandy Moore displayed her solidarity and support by donning Malaika’s signature white bracelet while delivering her remarks on “Popular Culture in the Fight Against Malaria.” Mandy saw first hand the devastating effects malaria has upon women and children, in particular, when distributing prevention nets in Southern Sudan in 2009. She has now become a major voice for malaria awareness – we thank her for her work!

World Malaria Day was founded just three years ago today to create greater awareness about the devastation malaria reaps on lives and families across Africa. Today, we remember those who have lost their lives to this treatable disease, honor those who continue to fight it, and rejoice for those who have survived. MALAIKA FOR LIFE along with many other organizations and countless individuals have made a significant impact on eradicating this disease – today we celebrate this headway while acknowledging that there is still progress to be made.

This World Malaria Day, we want to thank all of our Angels who have secured over 20,000 doses of life saving malaria medicine for Tanzanians who couldn’t otherwise afford treatment. One bracelet at a time, your generosity has built the foundation on which MFL continues to grow. On a day where we honor the past and look to the future, MALAIKA FOR LIFE has so much to be thankful for. In the coming year, we look forward to providing even more medicine and support for Tanzanians to fight back against malaria and eradicate this entirely treatable disease.

In solidarity and celebration,

Ashley

A Friendship Journey

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

-African Proverb

As the newest member of the MALAIKA FOR LIFE team, I feel like I couldn’t be hopping on board with such a great organization at a better time. Not only is World Malaria Day fast approaching at the end of the month, MFL founder Kristen Kenney’s is premiering her documentary film across the East Coast all this week at several film festivals.

TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY chronicles Kenney’s pilgrimage to Africa with friend and Tanzanian native, Venance Ndibalema. While exploring the culture and breathtaking landscapes with her best friend, Kenney was suddenly struck with malaria. Fortunate enough to have the minimal finances necessary to treat the disease, Kenney recovered. However this trauma left with her an indelible impression about the lack of resources available to those who can’t afford the medication. Her journey, filmed for a documentary, became the genesis of MALAIKA FOR LIFE.

TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY debuted a sold out showing at The Florida Film Festival this past Sunday. The documentary is making its way up to the Soho International Film Festival in New York on Friday and the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival on Saturday. While all tickets have been snagged for the New York screening, there’s still time for all you Angels out there to grab a seat for the Buffalo Niagara show.

Can’t make it to Buffalo this weekend to see this inspiring documentary that started it all? Not to worry – you can purchase an advanced copy of TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY online at Kickstarter. Not only will you receive your own copy of the story that inspired Kenney to start MFL, your purchase provides the support this budding documentary needs to travel around the world. With your donation, we can share Kenney’s incredible journey with others!

So check out the trailer to Kenney’s documentary today! Here is what others have had to say:

“TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY deeply moved me, not only as a policymaker, but as a world citizen.”

—Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, U.S. House of Representatives (Maryland)



“TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY delivers a message of hope and a future for many wonderful human beings who desperately need our help.”

—Doug Pitt, Goodwill Ambassador for the United Republic of Tanzania

“This documentary is a tool to bridge the gap between our daily lives here in America and the emotional struggles of those in Africa... and mobilize us into action!”

—Kristen Kenney, Founder of MALAIKA FOR LIFE

“Heading off on a journey such as this I couldn’t help but think it had the makings of a transformational trip for all of us.”

—Sylvia Caminer, Director/Producer of TANZANIA: A FRIENDSHIP JOURNEY

Check out our Facebook page too see all of the glamorous pictures chronicling founder Kristen Kenney's journey to debut the film!

Your friend in solidarity,

Ashley

MALAIKAFORLIFE has provided over 20,000 Tanzanians with lifesaving malaria medicine. How did it all begin? It all started with this film.

In 2009 Kristen Kenney and her best friend Venance Ndibalema became the focal point of Emmy award-winning director Sylvia Caminer's feature documentary, Tanzania A Friendship Journey. This journey was of transformation for Kristen.  It opened her eyes to a new life and a new meaning. The relationships she forged, helped bridge the gap between two vastly different worlds, and her intimate experience ultimately became the inspiration behind MALAIKAFORLIFE. Two years later, this documentary is hitting the film festival circuit. Dates are as follows:

Florida Film Festival:  Sunday, April 10, 330 PM @ The Enzian  

For more information visit: www.FloridaFilmFestival.com
Soho International Film Festival: Friday, April 15, 920 PM @ The Quad 

Purchase Tickets

"My journey to Tanzania was of transformation - a journey that inspired me to "GO MAD" - Make A Difference. After experiencing malaria firsthand, I launched Malaika for LIFE - an initiative that has provided 20,000 Tanzanians with lifesaving malaria medicine. This journey reawakened my heart and soul as the people of Tanzania introduced me to their culture, took me into their homes...and literally saved my life. This documentary is a tool to bridge the gap between our daily lives here in America and the emotional struggles of those in Africa... and mobilize us into action! I hope you can join me on this journey." -- Kristen Kenney, Tanzania A Friendship Journey

"Tanzania: A Friendship Journey deeply moved me, not only as a policymaker, but as a world citizen. The power of the story told through the voices of two young adults from vastly different cultures gives me hope that our conflicts can be prevented and gaps bridged. This is a truly life-changing film and an intensely meaningful testimony to friendship, justice and peace." Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, U.S. House of Representatives (Maryland)