TAPESTRIES' teaser trailer out in time for the holidays

The exclusive TAPESTRIES OF HOPE teaser trailer is now live! Check it out and spread the word...

Expose the myth. End Abuse. Donate.

Thanks a lot for your support, and happy holidays!

Update 1: The trailer subtitle text has been updated and the new embedded video is the updated trailer. Enjoy!

Update 2: Tapestries trailer honored on YouTube as one of the top videos to watch on Mobile!

Tapestries' blog wins "media blog of the year" award for 2007

We're pleased to announce that Tapestries of Hope's blog has been awarded the "media blog of the year" award by New Comm. Review.

This award is given to companies and projects that use new media in the most innovative ways. Other winners included the innovative PostSecret site and established companies like GM, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. Read more.

As you might remember, back in August 2007, director Michealene C. Risley live-blogged from Zimbabwe during the shoot, during which the crew was arrested and imprisoned!

Also, here's your chance to "become a fan" of the project on Facebook and spread the word: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=19290823912

Changing The World, Together

There are so many organizations and non-profits that have a desire to improve the world. I have deep admiration for those groups. Whether it is the current deplorable situations in Burma or Darfur, or issues of world hunger or Global Warming, many people are finding ways to create change. One of the challenges I often see amongst these groups is the duplication of efforts. If these passionate groups could find ways to communicate and collaborate with each other, we could combine resources, save time, and accomplish a great deal more. Besides, there is power in numbers. The internet is flush with stories that exemplify that power of mass and its ability to create a viral effect. We should be looking at these new models of success for guidance.

You might have heard of the organization "Laptop for Every Child"....

To read the rest of this blog, visit The Huffington Post.

Women's Radio News... radio interview!

Check out the Women's Radio News radio interview conducted by Pat Lynch (editor of 'Speak Up') with Michealene C. Risley!

Topics include distributing Flashcards to the members of the Girl Child Network, arrest of the crew in Zimbabwe, help from a volunteer who knew of the crew through Facebook, the current situation in Africa and the efforts to tell the story of TAPESTRIES OF HOPE.

Seeing the Depths of Hell in a Hungry Child's Eyes

Dear President Mugabe,

I am haunted by the current situation in your country. I am haunted by the hunger I see in a little girl's eyes. I met her in a rural village that I cannot list here, for fear of danger to many lives. I do not know this child's name. She had walked many miles with her grandmother and younger brother to thank my friend for her gift of blankets. I look into those deep, hollow eyes and see through to the depths of hell. I cannot look away, terrified as I am by this images being thrust at me.

I am haunted by my memories of your country -- one that I cannot stop thinking about . Yet, I am forced into silence. To speak brings interrogation, punishment, even death. I am followed by horrific images as unwanted as a stalker that follows me to the car wash or out to dinner. The voice cries out in my head. I feel so spoiled, so privileged, so American -- and yet, so helpless. The helplessness is the worst of all feelings, for I cannot assist these kids or alleviate their condition. I have seen young girls who have been raped and abused. A common occurrence in Zimbabwe brought about by men who seek to rid themselves from HIV/AIDS by raping young virgins. I have talked to a doctor, shook the hand of a man who talks about the rape of a one-day-old girl. The ignorance and apathy is incomprehensible.

I have also seen the unintended consequences of celebrity adoptions in Africa. Men are going...

*Read the entire Blog on The Huffington Post

Washington DC's Reaction to the Situation in Zimbabwe

Dear Tapestries of Hope supporter:

Thank you so much for supporting the work we are doing in Zimbabwe and for kids everywhere. As some of you may know, I went to Washington, DC last week to meet with Senators, members of Congress and House representatives to address the issues in Zimbabwe. There were a couple key issues that I presented:

• The Rape and Abuse of girls and infants in Zimbabwe is increasing. Unfortunately, the age of the child being raped is decreasing. We videotaped a doctor who discussed the rape and abuse of a one day old infant.

• The Hunger and poverty issues are at critical levels, with current news reporting Zimbabweans eating their dogs and cats as a way to fend off total starvation.

Washington’s initial response was worse than pathetic. Some of the comments included:

• Congress has “Rape fatigue right now”
• Congress has already approved appropriations for foreign aid for the year.

My favorite bit of advice (from a Washington strategist) suggested I use fear tactics to let Congress know that the rape and abuse of young children is coming here, as African men are migrating.
(I am not kidding!)

Here is what you can do:

1. Help us make our FACEBOOK group and causes pages grow. Tell your friends to join Facebook and join the 'Silent Bravery: Tapestries of Hope' group. Also have them join the TAPESTRIES OF HOPE cause!

2. Donate to our cause. Every dollar helps!

3. Call or email your government representatives to tell them we must do more to help in Zimbabwe. You can reach the following representatives by phone or email:


Subcommittee on African Affairs:

Senator Russell D. Feingold, Chairman
• Savannah Lengsfelder: Legislative Assistant, Human Right and African Affairs: savannah_lengsfelder@feingold.senate.gov
• Washington Office: (202) 224-5323

Senator Barack Obama
• Elizabeth Olson: elizabeth_olson@obama.senate.gov
• Adam Cohn: adam_cohn@obama.senate.gov
• Washington Office: (202) 224-2854

Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations,
Democracy and Human Rights

Senator Bill Nelson, Chairman
• Rob Gatehouse: Foreign Relations: 202-224-5274

Senator David Vitter, Ranking Member
• Rachel Bolander: (202) 224-4623

THANK YOU for doing one thing to shift the world to a better place.

Michealene

Invited blog on Huffington Post - personal recounting of events during shoot in Africa!

This is the first time that I have used my pen to write an original thought since my arrest. I will never take for granted the power of free-thinking or the ability to speak of my experience without fear of repercussions, torture or death. I type these words with a great deal of reverence, responsibility and respect. I borrow from Edward Bulwer-Lytton:

Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! -- itself a nothing!
But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyse the Cæsars, and to strike
The loud earth breathless! -- Take away the sword
States can be saved without it!

Read the entire piece on The Huffington Post. If you are interested in donating, you may do so directly off the blog.