Taking Action

International Grassroots Outreach Project

Help us bring Wangari Maathai’s inspiring story to people all over the world! Our goal is to produce Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai in over 20 languages.

Phase I: Translation, Subtitling & Dubbing Production

Our goal is to raise funds for translating and subtitling or dubbing Taking Root into 22 languages. We have a great start with seven done by film festivals. Your donation will help us subtitle the film in five more languages and dub the film in ten languages.

We hope to be in the production studio by September 1, 2010.

Phase II: Grassroots Outreach Partnerships

We are seeking partnerships with established grassroots organizations. These organizations will distribute the film and facilitate local actions for self-sufficiency, political empowerment and environmental justice. Initially, we are focusing on Haiti, Indonesia and Ecuador. We will work to reach people directly in at least ten more countries over the next year.

Your suggestions are welcome; please email us at takingrootfilm@gmail.com.

Karen Ashmore, Executive Director of the Lambi Fund of Haiti, has agreed to assist us in Haiti. Plans to take the film to Haiti were made before the 2010 earthquake. She writes:

Dubbing Taking Root into Haitian Creole will give us a tool to further our work with the Green Belt Movement and the reforestation of Haiti. …With the catastrophic devastation from the recent earthquake, this holistic approach to rebuilding Haiti is essential. – Karen Ashmore, Lambi Fund of Haiti

This story will be repeated in many countries. Through our network of contacts in both large and small organizations, and with your help, we are confident that we will continue to establish working relationships with grassroots organizations for distribution of the film.

Thank you very much for your consideration and support.

Lisa Merton & Alan Dater
Co-Directors/Producers of Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
takingrootfilm@gmail.com

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We encourage schools, groups and individuals to practice Maathai's models for sustainable development, integrated problem solving, and citizen empowerment.
Please use "Taking Root", the resource materials and our community partners' initiatives to take action!

Do something!

This tree planting activity was planned to coincide with a screening of the film. If you initiate activities as a result of seeing our film, be sure to let us know! Then add your photos to our album on flickr!

Students at Oak Grove School made slide shows about their Tree Planting with Wangari in April 2009.

 

Download the Outreach Kit

Download a mini-poster and postcards for your event.
The Action Guide is now available as a pdf.

Email takingrootfilm@gmail.com to request a printed copy of the Action Guide.

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Host a screening

Download and print out our checklist for hosting.

Download "bounceback" form to pass out to your viewers.

Home Use DVD's are available via our website.
Schools, organizations and public libraries may purchase from New Day Films.

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Donate!

You can help support educational outreach, inspired by Taking Root, by making a financial contribution. Even small donations are greatly appreciated.

 

Use Paypal or mail a check directly to:
Insight Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 96
Marlboro, VT 05344

Please note “Taking Root” on the memo line of your check.

You will receive a confirmation of your donation by mail. Insight Productions is a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Thank you very much.

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Community Partners Click logos to visit partner sites

Forest Justice is an office of the National Wildlife Federation which inspires Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future. NWF’s Campus Ecology® program/Forest Justice promotes climate leadership and sustainability among colleges and universities by providing resources and technical support, creating networking opportunities and organizing education events.

350.org is an international grassroots campaign that is mobilizing a global climate movement through a common call to action – reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million..

Alliance for Community Trees is dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. With 160 grassroots affiliates in 40 states and Canada, ACT member organizations have planted and cared for 14.9 million trees in cities with help from 4.3 million volunteers.

Green Belt Movement provides income and sustenance to millions of people in Kenya through tree planting and conducts educational campaigns to raise awareness about women's rights, civic empowerment and the environment throughout Kenya and Africa.

Green For All is dedicated to fighting poverty and pollution, and advocates for local, state and federal green job creation, job training, and entrepreneurial opportunities, especially for people from disadvantaged communities.

Katahdin Foundation creates and supports documentary films that tell compelling stories that inspire, engage and even enrage. For more information about recent Katahdin projects like The Garden, The End of America and Homeland, visit: www.katahdin.org.

Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign, supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and inspired by Wangari Maathai, encourages people around the globe to make a tree planting pledge online with the collective goal of planting at least one billion trees worldwide each year.

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