COME UNITY Uses Virtual Reality to Help Create Sustainable Life Changes in East Africa, through Innovative Story Telling "Between Hope and Change"
COME UNITY, a nonprofit organization that partners with local leaders in East Africa to develop sustainable solutions to poverty alleviation, has partnered with Chicago-based Virtual Reality (VR) Production Company, Artists of the Industry (AOFTHEI) to create "Between Hope & Change", a captivating documentary that immerses viewers into the lives of people in East Africa.
CHICAGO, March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Created by a team of new media story tellers at AOFTHEI, "Between Hope & Change": COME UNITY's Approach to Sustainable Life Change is an eight minute virtual reality documentary that provides viewers with an immersive and intimate look into the celebration of people and challenges of living in East Africa.
"By using Immersive 3D Panoramic Ultra HD Video and Audio in the Oculus VR headset, we have created an experience that allows viewers to actively participate in the film. We believe this will revolutionize the nonprofit world by virtually taking audiences around the globe to meet new faces, communities, and cultures." Duane Tornquist CCO of Artists of the industry, said after debuting the film in Philadelphia at COME UNITY'S annual donor event.
Kaitlyn TenHarmsel, COME UNITY vice president, approached AOFTHEI with the idea based on their reputation for high-quality virtual reality work within the hospitality industry, and they readily took on this creative and deeply compelling project. AOFTHEI donated industry leading VR cameras, a professional film crew, and a combined experience of over 20 years in the industry, to COME UNITY to build a powerful and emotional experience.
"There is nothing more compelling than being in East Africa, interacting with our partner communities and experiencing first-hand the difference COME UNITY is making on the ground. Our vision was to capture the energy and culture of our partner communities as well as the challenges these communities face on a daily basis and share these experiences in a very unique and personal way, effectively transporting our supporters to East Africa. "Between Hope & Change" does just that and we are excited to share this compelling story told through the lens of the people of East Africa through the use of innovative technology", said TenHarmsel.
The VR experience takes you to the plains of Kajiado, Kenya; the remote highlands of Pokot, Kenya; and the bustling capital city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In each of the three partner communities, you will meet committed local leaders who work tirelessly to bring justice to their communities through basic needs, education and sustainable income initiatives. Whether combating child mortality rates through access to clean water, child marriage through education sponsorship, or food security and unemployment through sustainable farming initiatives, COME UNITY works to bring a holistic view to how resilience met with opportunity leads to self-sufficiency. Discover the story of what happens "Between Hope and Change."
Between Hope & Change: COME UNITY's Approach to Sustainable Life Change will tour the world in 2019 traveling to all major VR film festivals. The virtual reality documentary will be available on Oculus Video and YouTube VR March 11th in true ultra-high definition 360 stereo video for the best VR viewing experience. Additionally, a 360 version can be viewed on COME UNITY's youtube and Facebook page (To view via tablet or mobile device, you will need to view within the youtube app). Youtube & Facebook
For twelve years COME UNITY has focused on building trusted relationships with East African leaders, refining our mission to effectively serve our partners and building a core team of dedicated US partners who believe deeply in the mission. With this foundation we look to the future with a vision of growth. We know our approach works, we know sustainable change is possible and we are ready to bring access to basic needs, education and sustainable incomes to our partner communities at an unprecedented rate. Become a partner today; give now at http://www.comeunitynow.org/give, volunteer, join us at Harambee Chicago on May 3 or host a 6k walk in your city on June 1.
About Come Unity
Founded in 2007 by Kristin Naylor, COME UNITY started as a single dance performance to raise funds for a clean water project and has grown into a non-profit founded on long-term, trusted relationships. COME UNITY's three-part approach provides access to basic needs, quality education, and opportunities to grow sustainable income. Working alongside local leaders, COME UNITY aims to empower from within by utilizing existing local resources and skill sets to bring community-generated ideas from dream to reality. For more information about COME UNITY or how you can support, visit http://www.ComeUnityNow.org
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About AOFTHEI
Founded in 2016 by interactive, creative content marketing and event production industry veterans, Duane Tornquist and Jim Carlson. AOFTHEI was created to take the digital content experience to places once only imagined. Artists of the Industry combines interactive, virtual and augmented reality with emotional connected film making, music creation and game development to bring immersive experiences to the world of corporate communications and entertainment. Driving return on investment for corporate partners and the consumer audience through new digital media storytelling. Visit http://www.aofthei.com and all social media platforms #aofthei
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