Generation Impact

“Already 923 million people worldwide are undernourished, and there are more than 9 million deaths related to hunger each year.”  Stated Compassion International, a non-profit organization that seeks to help those stuck in poverty. Many non-profit organizations are seeking to help alleviate poverty around the world. Providing food, shelter, and clean water are many ways that these organizations are reaching out to help those that need help. In doing so, they are able to help people by tangibly meeting the needs of the community.

One such organization is Refuge Incorporated. This group of five individuals has decided to make a change in the world in an unusual way. Their hope is to create a face to this sad reality of poverty for many individuals. Refuge Inc.’s main mission is to motivate and inspire people to take action in their own communities and begin to change the apathetic and selfish mentality of the fabric of society.

The means of motivation and inspiration came from a 35 minute long documentary about Cebu a village in the Philippines. Jared Bletcher, one of the five involved, stated that it originally began when he was approached by the president of an organization called The Rescue Ministries. This organization does ministry work in the Philippines and wanted to promote their ministry in the United States through film with the help of Jared.

“After some prayer, it became clear to me that going was the right decision. The work their ministry is doing in the Philippines is really great-I wanted to be able to help them anyway that I could.” Bletcher commented. From there, he and his friend, Adam Collins made the journey to the Philippines.

There the impact of a lifetime begin, "Please remember me" was the cry of meaning, “wanting simply to be known to other people- they want community and love.” Jared stated. For a little while the two boys stayed with children that had been rescued by the Wesley Home for Youth (WHY). However, in order to truly understand the situation at hand meant actually living in the trash dump and in the mountains for several days with some of the families. He went on to say, “It was important to us that Adam and I witness and be a part of the struggle of extreme poverty as much as possible.” Bletcher discussed Refuge: Children of the Trash by saying, “This film was the best way I could have fulfilled that request of remembrance. Now the whole world can know their story.” A story of people full of poverty, struggles, and pain, but also of the opportunity for hope and a new beginning.

Dealing with the controversy of what has come to be known as “poverty porn”, Jared matter-of-factly states, “We're just sharing a story of a child in Cebu with the hope that it will mean something to you too. That's really it. The content of the film may come off as "poverty porn" to a US audience member, but these are very real lives we show in the movie.”

 In preparation for this amazing opportunity, Jared and Adam focused on beginning the birthing process of the organization. Discussing things like the name and the logo started an intense, quiet sequence of events that led up to their trip, “I wanted the kids to be the focus of the project, not the documentary.” It was only till Adam and Jared got back that they began discussing this project with others. From there, Refugee Inc. grew in size and support. Jamison Price joined the team as an editor, who, after two months, was joined by Laken Kimsey who was the final editor. From there, Michael Oppizzi came on the team as a writer and musician just two months before the premiere.

In between school, jobs, and college life, the team began a regiment of working in between 3-9 hours a day. To help them relax they would have soccer balls and footballs they could kick or throw around, even playing video games. “Working on a scene, looking at hundreds of camera angles and shots for 8 hours straight, you begin to feel legitimately a part of the this person's life in Cebu.” Said Jared, “I can quote our entire movie, but that doesn't make it any less real or meaningful to me. In fact, it is more meaningful to me every time I watch it.”  In remembrance of this challenging time, Jared muses, “It was just a very chill, creative atmosphere in the office. I think our support our team had from everyone and the school made all the difference in the world. I doubt the film would have ever been finished within that support.”

What started off as a chance to help advertise for an organization, resulted in amazing growth and impact not only for this group, but for the generation around them.  Discussing the change in his and the groups lives, Jared agrees, that they matured and says “My motivations and aspirations have changed as a result, and I think that's the case for almost the entire team. Even the successes and failures with this single project have really experienced our team in ways we never expected, be it financial management, team organization, marketing, filmmaking, high impact community engagement practices, or product design - we've had to learn a lot. We've loved it.”

 Refugee Incorporated is all about going beyond the social movements and presenting a personal face and real stories. Real stories of those stuck in poverty and the hope that can be created. Hope that can come from varies sources, from non-profits, to individuals, to raising awareness by creating an documentary that is meant to spark thought.

For more information about the group, you can go to their website, http://www.refugeinc.com/projects/film/. 

For more information about how you can help support a child in need through Compassion International, go to their website at http://www.compassion.com/.

"Let us be the ones who say we do not accept that a child dies every three seconds simply because he does not have the drugs you and I have. Let us be the ones to say we are not satisfied that your place of birth determines your right to life. Let us be outraged, let us be loud, let us be bold." -Brad Pitt