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Running For His Life

Help us re-unite mother with son and film his graduation in the States

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Running For His Life

Running For His Life

Running For His Life

Running For His Life

Running For His Life

Help us re-unite mother with son and film his graduation in the States

Help us re-unite mother with son and film his graduation in the States

Help us re-unite mother with son and film his graduation in the States

Help us re-unite mother with son and film his graduation in the States

AC Productions
AC Productions
AC Productions
AC Productions
1 Campaign |
Wellington, New Zealand
$12,000 USD 117 backers
100% of $12,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Choose your Perk

Feel good factor

$5 USD
7 claimed

A spot on our donor wall

$15 USD
8 claimed

Thank you postcard

$25 USD
4 claimed

Digital Download

$30 USD
18 claimed

A signed DVD

$50 USD
29 claimed

Limited special edition DVD

$100 USD
22 claimed

Hair braided by Mulu

$170 USD
0 claimed

A Special Thanks credit

$500 USD
6 claimed

A Real Credit

$5,000 USD
0 claimed

Hello again. sorry for the long delay. Terefe graduated with honours and he continues to be a star student and athlete. We are now working out how to raise funds for the post production. There will be an update any day. In the meantime don't go away!

Many thanks

Anna, Mulu, Terefe and the team

 

Hi folks, we have been to the States and filmed Terefe's graduation. He was singled out as a star student and athlete and has recently been named Most Valued Performer at the Mid American athletics conference - winning the 5000 and 10,000 metres for the third year in a row.

We are now seeking funding for the post production but if you are in Wellington New Zealand, come to the thank you party on 12 September 5.30pm at the NZ Film Archive.

All donations are in US$ not NZ$.

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed. With what we've raised, we can fly Mulu, Terefe's mother, and me, the documentary maker to his graduation. This is fantastic.

We're now on the home-stretch of fundraising to cover hiring a crew so that this event - that you helped happen - can be captured for the documentary.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Please pass the link on. 

Our Story

From Ethiopia to New Zealand to North American Graduate

Terefe left Ethiopia when he was 13 to join his refugee mother in Wellington, New Zealand. He hadn’t seen her for seven years. He spoke no English when he enrolled at one of New Zealand’s top boys’ schools, Wellington College. Five years later, he was a school prefect and a role model. Early on he was spotted as a gifted athlete and represented New Zealand on the track. His dream – to follow in the footsteps of other internationally known Ethiopian athletes to the Olympics.

10 years later, as a scholarship student he was selected as one of the 57 top scholar athletes in the States. He graduates from Eastern Michigan University on 29 April 2012.

His mother Mulu dreams of being there.

Documentary maker Anna Cottrell, AC Productions, is seeking US$12,000(NZ$14,500) to help Mulu get there. You can help.

What We Need & What You Get

We're looking for US$12,000 (NZ$14,500) to cover a return flight from New Zealand and accommodation in the USA for Mulu and Anna, the documentary director. (Update - 17/3/2012: We have met this! Thank you. We are now fundraising to hire a crew over in the USA to document the event. If we don't reach our goal here on IndieGogo we hope to film this event anyway - and the proceeds will go to that.

Please remember that your donations are in US$ not NZ$.

Apart from helping reunite a mother with her son, we're offering rewards depending on your donation. Look to the left for details.

The Story So Far

When Terefe Ejigu and his two sisters farewelled their grandparents in Ethiopia they didn’t know they would never see them again. From a farming village they arrived in Wellington to join their mother.  Terefe was five when his mother fled tribal strife in Ethiopia to seek better opportunities. Seven years later they were reunited – in New Zealand.

Mulu, Terefe’s mother is a courageous woman who has suffered loss and dislocation familiar to most refugees. She lives in Wellington, drives a taxi, is studying for a childcare qualification and braids hair – some of the All Blacks - rugby world cup winners - are among her clients.

New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, Helen Clark, now heading the United Nations Development Programme has agreed to meet with Terefe in New York. We plan to film this. Terefe hopes to apply for an internship with the UN.

Update - 5/3/2012: Mulu has met with Helen Clark. Click on the "Updates" tab above for more details.

It’s been a long road from refugee beginnings, from Ethiopia to New Zealand to the States - Terefe's story is inspirational! Learn more - join the project.

AC Productions

AC Productions has invested several thousands covering aspects of Terefe’s story over six years. Now’s the time to cap it off in time for Terefe’s graduation – and we need your help.

Formerly a current affairs producer for TVNZ, Anna has been making documentaries for over 25 years. “I’m always alert to affecting, filmic stories and arresting characters. I look for people with a good story and who tackle life’s challenges with guts, determination and humour. Terefe and Mulu’s stories have made a huge impact on me and on those who know something of what their family has endured. I want to share their inspiring story.”

Among AC Productions award-winning portfolio: Children of Gallipoli; An Abbreviated Life; Strawberries with the Fuhrer - BBC Knowledge; China’s One Child Policy; Out of the Shadows; Survivor Stories-  Lest We Forget; Other People’s Children; Getting to Our Place; and The Migrating Kitchen - refugee and migrant stories. (www.migratingkitchen.org)

Future Plans

With six years' footage chronicling the story so far, plans are underway to produce a feature-length documentary. Applications for funding are taking place.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't contribute financially, that's okay. Spread the word and tell your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested in Terefe’s remarkable story. You can cast your net through the social media labyrinth and share this page via the buttons below. Thanks!

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