On February 24th, team ProjectExplorer will embark (once again) on an epic flight from New York City to Johannesburg. We are delighted to announce our newest education initiative, the Student to Student program, which is part of our on-going partnership with Mpontsheng Secondary School in Katlehong, South Africa.

As a multimedia program, we know that images can often speak louder than words. So we’ve have assembled a short (60-second) photo essay showing Mpontsheng school and the potential impact our program can have. (Special thanks to the artistic talents of our Board member, Michaela Potter, for putting these together.)

In addition to working with students locally, the Student to Student program aims to provide our young global audience with a look at the everyday life and concerns of young adults living in South Africa, by letting those who live there share their own experiences.

Once completed, the student-produced works will be available for viewing via the web. ProjectExplorer plans to expand the Student to Student program with our future projects, creating a global network of junior contributors and budding journalists & filmmakers.

The Student to Student program will run in conjunction with our production of South Africa, Part II. This series will build on stories, events, and concepts covered in Part I, which debuted on October 5th, 2007. Developed for our Middle School and High School audience, Part II will feature a collection of interviews with some of the country’s most prominent leaders and artists.

We invite you to follow us during production of our South Africa, Part II series and the Student to Student program by joining our group on Facebook. We will update from the field as often as possible.

The Student to Student program is sponsored by Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company.

Cover of our South Africa journal, available at CafePress

We love to shop! And what’s better than shopping for a cause? Be sure to peruse the following websites for ProjectExplorer related clothing, goods, and even prints and books.

Snapshots from South Africa is a companion book to our 2007 online film and multimedia series. The book features photography that explores the country’s diverse culture and landscape, includes excerpts from our travel essays, and features written contributions from our collaborators. (54 pages)

Some of our favorite prints are also available in a variety of sizes and formats.

And finally, for other goodies such as messenger bags, journals, t-shirts, and so on, visit our shops at Spreadshirt and CafePress.

Of course, a portion of all sales go to ProjectExplorer and our free educational programming.

“As a teacher, being able to have tools like ProjectExplorer, I am able to do more cross-curricular lessons, strengthening the overall academics in the school as well as connecting subject matter for the students.”
-Kailee Bialaszewski, student teacher

We have numerous new, wonderful individuals to welcome to team ProjectExplorer. To our Board of Directors, we proudly welcome:

• Michael Bishara, Senior Vice President, HBO Broadband, for Home Box Office. Michael has two young children, for whom he endures one of the longest commutes imaginable: Buffalo to New York City.
• Dean Cycon, the Owner and Founder of Dean’s Beans Organic & Fair Trade Coffee. Like our own team, Dean is a fearless explorer; read about his adventures in his book Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee.
• Nkem Nwuneli, Director, People Development at Time Warner. Despite having Tony, Acadamy, and Emmy Award winners on our team, with Ph.D. in her title, Nkem is our first doctor.
• Nancy Taubenslag, an independent consultant focused primarily on nonprofit and technology clients. A seasoned globetrekker, she has travelled with her husband and two children to six continents.

We are equally delighted to welcome to our Creative Council:

• Tony Gerber, (director and producer) the recipient of 2 Emmy Awards for the series Behind The Screen. His films include Full Battle Rattle and Side Streets. Tony has already been an incredible addition to our Creative Council. His first meeting with ProjectExplorer’s Founder, Jenny M. Buccos, inspired the creation of the Student to Student program.
• Lynn Nottage, an acclaimed playwright. Her works include: Intimate Apparel; Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine; Crumbs from the Table of Joy; and Las Meninas. Lynn is also a 2007 MacArthur Fellow.

We look forward to a long and productive future with our newest members as well as those who have been with us from the very start!

US-based 2008 South Africa team: director/producer, Jenny M. Buccos (left) and journalist/producer Ilana Fayerman (right) photo by Matteo Trisolini

In just one afternoon with the students at Mpontsheng Secondary School, it was easy to see their enthusiasm and eagerness for learning and it was immediately clear that Peter is an inspiring and passionate educator.

Peter’s passion for teaching and his students’ remarkable commitment make this an excellent partner school for our pilot Student to Student program. I know Mpontsheng will be a perfect model for other schools we work with in the future. While working by candlelight would be an added adventure to this program, I do hope the lights in South Africa stay on!

More than ever, your donations directly improve the academic lives of students both here in the U.S. and abroad. With our Student to Student program, in addition to hands-on training, ProjectExplorer is providing technology resources and other materials that will remain with the school after our work with them is complete. Without your kind, generous, and continued financial support, our online resources and expanded programming would not be possible.

I appeal to your very generous spirit and ask that you make a donation, in any amount, so that we may continue sharing the world and fostering the next generation of its citizens.

Wishing you all health and happiness in 2008.

Happy Exploring!

Jenny M. Buccos
Executive Director & Founder