Music For Mankind® Events 2012

Starting a new year! Wow. It's amazing to realize this is our sixth year. So much has happened in the past five years, it's incredible to think that more can still happen, but it can, and does and will.

2011 was quite an exciting year. I was involved in several events; an opera, a musical, a dance contest, and the audition for America's Got Talent; outside of our normal concert series, and at the same time the concert series did better than ever. As if that wasn't enough, I sang the National Anthem at stadiums all around the Northeast, at each event promoting Music For Mankind®.

2012 brings a whole new set of events. In December 2011 I studied Show dance, then in January took lessons in Tap dance. I added quite a bit more dance; Jazz, Show, and Tap; to the show.

During this time I worked with stage director Diana Stugger of Opera Theatre of Weston to fully stage Give My Regards To Broadway. The concert is now a show, with a lot of movement, and themes to each song. Having grown up in theatre and musical theatre this feels right to me, as though I've come back home. I'm enjoying the show now on an entirely new level, and the response is wonderful.

Here's what Dorothy Sullivan, Activities Director of Wheelock Terrace said about our show earlier this month.
 
"Kelly Moore's performance of Give My Regards To Broadway is nothing less than spectacular! His singing is absolutely beautiful and he presents himself with confidence and professionalism. Add to that, his new found talent, tap dancing!

The audience thoroughly enjoyed Kelly's performance. The songs from Broadway shows were very well received as they are known and loved by those who came to hear him. The hour performance went by too quickly and we look forward to having Kelly perform again in the near future.

I would highly recommend Kelly Moore and his program Give My Regards To Broadway to others. This performance is not to be missed!"

--Dorothy Sullivan, Activities Director, Wheelock Terrace, Hanover, NH

We've started this year off with several concert "shows" in Vermont and New Hampshire, and later this week I head to California for several dates in San Diego, my first performances of Give My Regards To Broadway on the West Coast!

When I return from California there are several performances booked in April and May, then more later in the year, including singing the Star Spangled Banner in July for the Vermont Lake Monsters.
 
Dates are booked throughout the year, so keep an eye on our Events page.

I wish to thank our sponsors Luxbrush Painting Company, Maple Street School, The Image Loft, Graph-X and Manchester Carpet Care, and everyone who reads this for your support and enthusiasm for Music For Mankind®.

Best wishes to all,
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
President/CEO
Music For Mankind, Inc.

Our Sponsors Are Angels!

We would like to gratefully thank our new Angel Sponsors for their generous contributions to Music For Mankind®, helping to fuel our work in doing all we can to alleviate chronic global hunger. No one should go to bed hungry.

You will see their logos on our website, newsletters with links to their websites, and read about them in our press releases. If you wish to become a sponsor, please contact us at info@musicformankind.net or 802-362-3806 or go to our Sponsorship page.

Our sincerest thanks!

Letter From The President

Five years ago in March 2007, after six months of planning and hard work, my dream of Music For Mankind® became a reality when we performed our first Music For Mankind® concert at the Riley Center For The Arts at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vermont. Since that day we have fed nearly 40,000 people and counting.


I didn't do this by myself. It has taken the care and efforts of many people to get us where we are today.

Two years ago I started the Music For Mankind® Annual Fund Drive to help us in our efforts; through concerts, lectures, documentary presentations, and food drives; to help those who struggle every day to survive, and my heart is deeply touched with gratitude every time we receive a donation.

Music For Mankind® continues to grow. Your help is needed at this time to help us in that growth. Materials and supplies are needed for our new programs that we will be launching in 2012. These programs can put us on a new and bigger "stage" with the ability to help many more people, here at home, and around the world.
 
I'm personally reaching out to you at this time to ask you to please give, even a little. In our Declaration of Hope Sponsorships page you can learn about giving a one-time donation, or sign up for our new monthly subscription. There are several levels of giving, and any level in which you can give will help tremendously. Please take a moment to visit and give. Every little bit really does help.

Thank you for your time, consideration and support.

Sincerely,

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kelly Moore
President/CEO
Music For Mankind, Inc.

Music For Mankind Sponsorships

You can tell these children that I met in Nicaragua in 2008 suffer from severe chronic malnutrition. Every day 25,000 people die from hunger or malnutrition; 18,000 of them are children. Think about that a moment. Yet there are enough resources on this planet to feed 10 billion people. This is a problem with a solution.

At Music For Mankind® we are doing all we can to help. So far the contributions from our concerts and other efforts have fed tens of thousands of people, these two included! And we are now partnering with Feeding America, the national food bank.

 Please join us in helping others with a one-time gift or monthly Sponsorship Subscription to our Annual Fund so we may continue to move forward with our concert series, lecture series, documentaries and other fund raising initiatives. It's easy to do. Visit our Sponsorship page.

Your contribution can add immensely to fueling our work and helping those who struggle every day just to survive.

We'd like to thank you for your gift with a Music For Mankind® bumper sticker. And on our website you can learn about the the other available benefits, too.

When I left Nicaragua, a part of my heart stayed behind. People need our help all over the world.

As I like to say, " If everyone in the village brings just one brick, together we can build a foundation." Please help by sending in your generous gift today!

Thank you for your continued support!

In gratitude,

Kelly Moore

President/CEO

Music For Mankind, Inc.

America's Got Talent!

Yes, that's right! On Tuesday I received an invitation from America's Got Talent to audition for them in New York City! Suffice to say, I am really excited. I've been thinking about this for well over a year and sent them a video this past summer. They like me! :)

So off to the Big Apple I go. The weather is going to be fantastic; 80 plus degrees F (26 degrees C for my international friends reading this!) and I'm going to ride my motorcycle down there. Interestingly I took the same route last Spring when I went to NJ to visit relatives. So that was a great dry run. Well, it wasn't all that dry.

I digress.

This is the first-round of the 2012 competition. Get our wristbands and competitor number, stand around for hours, get our photos taken. TV taping crews interviewing us, munching snacks, drinking Smartwater, and generally enjoying the entire experience. Nervous? Nah! I love to perform. Give me a stage and I'm ready to go. And with all that time, and probably hundreds of others, at least, with the same dream, I get to meet a lot of interesting people and make a lot of new friends. What's not to love?!

Then, when the big moment comes, don't blink, because it really is just a moment. A 90-second a cappela audition. No frills. No audience. Just me and some judges. I love what I do, and I love this opportunity to show that to these folks. While it will pass in the blink of an eye, I'll drink it all in. It's my chance. Win or lose.

And if I get to go to the second round, then...stage, lights, cameras, celebrity judges, and audience. I've seen a little bit of the show on TV and YouTube. These folks know how to build a set! And light it! If I get there, what fun this will be.

On the Audition Info they send they ask me to tell a little bit about me. Music For Mankind is so important to me, and as many of you know, I usually can't stop talking about it. Probably ad naseum. Sorry! But I've been there talking with little children with the hungriest look in their eyes you have ever, or possibly never seen. It's heart-breaking. Some day I'll tell you the story of the tears I shed when I got home.

But I digress.

So I do hope, for the sake of the possibility of bringing Music For Mankind to a bigger stage in order to help in a bigger way, that I get to go at least to round two.

This is a really exciting moment for me, in what has been an incredible year, and there's still a couple of months to go. What's next? :o

This weekend is packed. Friday dance rehearsal for Dancing With The Rutland Stars, Saturday dance dress rehearsal, Saturday night dance performance, then Sunday jump on the bike and go sing in the the one-and-only New York City! Wow.


Wish me luck!

La Torreador - The Fun Never Stops

Recently I was invited to be part of a surprise performance with artists from the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann's Young Artists Development Program. The concert took place last Thursday evening, August 18, 2011 at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Vermont. This was the final 2011 summer concert for the Manchester Music Festival, and featured Layla Claire, Soprano; Renée Tatum, Mezzo Soprano; Andrew Bidlak, Tenor; Edward Parks, Baritone; and Caren Levine, Piano.

A delightful and full two-hour concert, the audience was rockin' throughout, thoroughly enjoying the vocal and piano pyrotechnics, sweet melencholy and emotional pieces, and huge dynamic range of music, vocal and instrumental ability of all.

The last piece was "Votre toast, je peux le rendre", the famous "Torreador" from the George Bizet opera "Carmen" featuring Edward Parks, Baritone. He delivered the popular and famous song in rich and full voice. The surprise that we had in store was that, when the song arrived at the choral section, about twenty or so of us jumped up from our seats, the house lights came up, and we sang the chorus in full SATB! The audience was absolutely delighted. Then, as Mr. Parks sang the next segment, all of us choral folks walked through the audience welcoming and sharing such a delightful moment together. As Mr. Parks sang his second chorus section, we "wandered" up to stand in front of the stage and join in on the final chorus and coda.

Of course we were totally thrilled to be singing with artists from "The Met" and applauded them vigorously. And they graciously and enthusiastically applauded our efforts as well. We all of us completely enjoyed the opportunity and fun of singing together. And we rocked the house! What a treat!

It's only mid-August, and already this year I've been in my first opera, Mozart's "The Magic Flute", performed in the powerful and emotionally wrenching musical "Miss Saigon", sang with artists from The Met, been performing my own concert series "Give My Regards To Broadway" all around New England, and have sung our National Anthem at four baseball games. And the fun doesn't stop there.

I will be returning to Burlington, Vermont to sing "The Star Spangled Banner" on Sunday August 28 for the Vermont Lake Monsters, and again on Wednesday August 31 in Lowell, MA for the Lowell Spinners, the Single A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox! I am thrilled to once again honor our country with this great song.

And each time I perform, whether it's a Music For Mankind® event or not, I hold a thought close to my heart of those less fortunate and hope that somehow my small efforts can help them in their struggles to create their own lives in peace and fulfillment.

Yet what I do can only succeed because of all of you who help me in my continuing efforts. Please know how grateful I am to you for your support.

I hope to see you at a concert, game or other event soon.

Please visit http://www.musicformankind.net/ to see all the events we have listed there.

2011 Is An Exciting Year

2011 started off with a bang! Right out of the chute, I spent three weeks with the Opera Theatre of Weston rehearsing and performing in Mozart's The Magic Flute. What a wonderful experience that was. I felt like a kid in a candy shop.

First of all...Mozart. Magical, beautiful, heart-warming, stunning music and arrangements, touched my heart so many times, so deeply.

Then, the singers. Oh my, the singers! Where do I start? Pablo Bustos as Tamino. A beautiful, high tenor (Db above High C!), and such tonality, he often reminded me of an oboe. Katy Kaplan as The Queen of the Night, singing fantastically high, fast, demanding passages; vocal fireworks on display, nailed it every time. Such power and flexibility, we cheered backstage each time she finished.

Mark Womack as Papageno is a powerful, rich baritone, and a very funny actor, too. He brought such humanity to the show, a real delight to watch him.

Christopher Besch as Sarastro, a resonant and clear bass; LR Davidson, as Papagena, a bright, shimmering soprano, and an incredible comic who practically stole the show. And Matthew Knickman as Monostatos, is a strong and clear tenor.

I  have saved my favorite for last. Meagan Brus, who played Pamina, sings in a clear, honey-rich soprano with incredible emotion. I was startled every time she sang. I felt as though I was hearing her for the first time, every time, and I'd never heard anyone sing with that tonality before. She consistently sang and acted with a maturity that was beyond her years.

I truly felt honored to be a part (Temple Priests Chorus and Slave) of this production. Everyone in the production was a delight to be with and to work with. The conductor, Maestro Karen Keltner of San Diego Opera; our Music Director, Angela Gooch; our Director, Diana Stuggar; the eleven-piece orchestra, all the cast and crew alike, were thoroughly professional and fun to be with. We performed to very appreciative audiences and a great review. Suffice it say, I had a blast!

Shifting gears from that is interesting. I learned a lot as a singer, and now am focused on my own concert series, Give My Regards To Broadway. I'm performing with a new pianist, Kent Baker, of Castelton State College and the Enerjazzbigband. He is a gifted pianist and delightful guy to be with. We start the 2011 series on March 2, and have concerts booked into September. Plenty of open dates, yet, and I would love to fill them.

I am so excited about the incredible response we received last year to this new series, and the excitement continues. There are some very interesting ideas we're working on to book this into new venues and new regions. Anyone with ideas for venues in their area is more than welcome to contact us. You can email me at kelly@musicformankind.net or call me at 802/362-3806. I'd love to hear from you.

Keep an eye on the website event pages for our schedule, and Event News.

Of course I continue to contribute the proceeds of the concerts to the UN World Food Program, and last year was able to start donating some to Feeding America, as well as the local Feeding America foodbank in Vermont. We have fed over 40,000 people now with our contributions from concerts, food drives, merchandise sales and donations.

The support you have given me in this effort is really remarkable. I am deeply honored and grateful for your support, and the incredible things you have said about this effort. There are many moments in my life when your support has helped pull me through the difficult times. Music For Mankind® is alive and breathing, because of all of us working together. Thank you for all you do!

Hope to see you at a concert soon.

Best and warmest regards to all!
Kelly Moore

From Folk Music to Opera

Music For Mankind® founder Kelly Moore, having successfully created his new concert series, Give My Regards To Broadway, has accepted a role in the Opera Theatre of Weston's January 2011 production of Mozart's The Magic Flute.

 Kelly will sing in the Select Chorus and also perform as a Temple "Slave".

Opera Theatre of Weston Co-Producer Lise Messier said about him, "A multi-talented performer, Kelly brings enormous enthusiasm, solid vocal skills, sensitive and honest interpretations, and a big heart to a wide-ranging repertoire. He is a gifted entertainer. His background in theater, dance, and singing are a perfect fit for this production."

"Having grown up in theatre, this is my first performance in opera," said Kelly, "and I'm very excited to be in this one. Mozart's music is so beautiful that it brings tears to your eyes. To start at this level is, for me, an incredible experience."

"And," he added, "working with the OTW producers, directors and everyone involved is great. I'm really enjoying this and looking forward to the performances."

Performances will be as follows:

On Saturday January 8, starting at 3:00 PM, the performance will be held at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland.

On Saturday January 15, a 3:00 performance will be held at the Weston Playhouse, in Weston, Vermont, and then again on Sunday January 16, with the performance starting at 2:00 PM.

There will also be performances for local schools.

Tickets can be purchased at:

Paramount Theatre
Box Office 802.775.0903
http://www.paramountlive.org/

Opera Theatre of Weston
Box Office 802.824.3821
Email: otw@sover.net
http://www.operatheatreofweston.org/

For more information about Opera Theatre of Weston please visit our friends at www.operatheatreofweston.org

Give My Regards Concerts Huge Success!

Music For Mankind® - Give My Regards To Broadway Concerts A Huge Success

Starting at the end of July, with Rutland pianist Paul Opel, I've been performing the "Give My Regards To Broadway" concerts all over Vermont, in New Hampshire, Massachussets and upper New York State to incrediby touching enthusiasm.

Starting the new series in retirement homes, sharing songs that I grew up with in musical theatre as a teenager, with octogenarians and up who were introduced to these same songs in their adulthood, the bond created singing together is powerful and emotional. You can hear a sample of the concert here.

I'd like to share a couple of personal stories here. Several times, after the concert I've been approached by a concert-goer in tears who has held my hand, thanked me profusely, and told me, "You have no idea the memories you have brought back."

And another, clearly in her mid to late eighties, who told me, "You made me feel young again. Thank you!".

Already this concert series is doing much more than I anticipated. It's so sweet when the audience is singing along on songs that mean so much to them, and to me, as well. And at the end, when we sing "Edelweiss" together, and everyone joins in, even those who hadn't sung previously, and those who smile who hadn't smiled the entire concert, I feel such a gratitude to be able to bring this experience to them and to share it with them.

When I sing "Try To Remember", and in the third verse I get to the line of "Deep in December it's nice to remember the fire of September that made us mellow", sometimes I get choked up myself thinking about what this means to them, and what it means to me now, and what it will mean to me when I'm their age, and I'm touched and honored that what I can do is able to do this much for them.

To perform these concerts, to touch people's hearts, and to be able to contribute to organizations like the UN World Food Program and Feeding America, and help those who struggle every day just to survive, is a double dose of humility for me. I'm very thankful that I've been given this gift of music. It does things in my heart that I can never express, but just to let it out. I go around thinking, "If only people could feel what I'm feeling!", and possibly they are.

I've been showing my documentary, "Nicaragua - On The Ground", as well, and oftentimes am asked, "How can I help?".

We're continuing to book the "Give My Regards To Broadway" concerts, and expanding our reach into tour bus groups, resorts, corporate conventions and other events. Perhaps you have or know a group who would enjoy this music. Please let me know. That's how you can help. You can email me at kelly@musicformankind.net or call me at 802-362-3806.

Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm.

Kelly

Links:
Nicaragua - On The Ground
Give My Regards To Broadway

2010 Relay For Life

85 Riders Raise Money For Cancer Society

I recently became a member of the Bennington International Motorcycle Club, and so joined 84 other riders on over 60 motorcycles on Saturday June 26 for a 140 mile ride through southern Vermont to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. This was an incredible and touching event.

Starting at 10:00 in the morning, we rode Rte. 9 to Dover, VT, then Rte. 100 up through Jamaica, South Londonderry, and Londonderry to Weston, where we had a great lunch provided by the Vermont Country Store (thanks!). After lunch we continued on Rte. 100 to Rte. 155 to East Wallingford, then 6 miles of wonderful twisties on Rte. 140 (freshly resurfaced) over to Wallingford, and down Rte. 7 in the rain to Manchester. A short break, then back on to Rte. 7A, again in the rain, down to Bennington. A brief stop to pay our respects to a former member who had passed away, from cancer, then on to Mount Anthony Union High School track, where an all-day event awaited us.

When it was our turn, we were introduced on the PA system, and amid cheers, many heartfelt thanks and the music of Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild", we made our way around the track to the main stage area, where Ride Coordinator, Terry Stacy presented a check to the American Cancer Society for over $1,400!

People had been walking laps all day and into the night, to help raise money for this cause, and all around the track were "luminaries", little white bags with a candle in them, to honor those in treatment, those who had recovered, and those who had passed away. Several organizations had tents in the field area and around the track, and as we continued our way around the track, the cheers and thanks only become louder, more fervent, and more touching.

This is an experience I will not ever forget. For me, to understand that what we had done together brought this kind of response, reminded me of my own efforts to help feed the hungry poor. To feel so humbled by other's desparate needs, and their intensely sincere thanks for our efforts touches my heart in a way mere words can probably not ever adequately express.

My sincere thanks to all at the Bennington International Motorcycle Club for your warm welcome and your efforts to help those less fortunate. And my sincere thanks, to the American Cancer Society and all the volunteers at the event for your efforts and your kindness

Guest Post by Senator George McGovern

Music For Mankind® contributes to the United Nations World Food Program School Feeding Program, which was started by Senator George McGovern. I have had the pleasure of meeting him twice while in Washington.

Recently the Friends of the World Food Program posted the following from him on their blog, and have been kind enough to allow me to share his posting with you here on my blog.

A Humbling Experience in One of Africa's Largest Slums

By Senator George McGovern

Originally posted on Friends of the World Food Program Blog Thursday May 13, 2010

Hunger is something I have fought tirelessly by encouraging a global commitment to school meals and nutrition. I am currently on a 10-day visit to Kenya and Uganda to see United Nations World Food Program (WFP) projects serving the same cause. This visit comes 50 years after President John F. Kennedy appointed me the first director of the U.S. Food for Peace Program.

On Tuesday, I visited the Nairobi slum of Kibera—the largest slum in East and Central Africa—with more than 1 million people. Life is hard and most residents struggle daily to put a meal on the table. Many of the children in Kibera are orphans, having lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.


I want to share with you a touching experience when I met Lilian Adhiambo, a 22-year-old woman who is HIV positive and lives in Kibera. Lilian, through her HIV-infected child, receives WFP food assistance through a program feeding children who are HIV positive and their families.


With Lilian and her child, I saw the important role that nutrition plays in the management of the disease. Lilian said that with the WFP food, she and her child, together with the rest of the family, are able to lead a normal life and that she can even engage in small income-generating activities which, however, don’t always do very well because of the high levels of poverty in the slums.

Amid the squalor of Kibera, Lilian’s house, though mud walled and with a dirt floor, was sparkling clean and her sparse furniture was neatly arranged in her small room. The resilience I saw in her humbled me.


I danced with a 10-year-old lady from Stara Rescue Centre, and listened to poetry and songs from children in the centre, which is both a school and haven for destitute and orphaned children.

The poems and songs were about the nutritious lunch they receive daily in school because of WFP and how it helps them concentrate in class and encourages them to stay in school. At that moment, I was proud of the fact that in 2001, together with my colleague Senator Robert Dole, we pushed for the McGovern-Dole program which supports WFP’s school meals in Kenya.

I firmly believe that school meals are the most important form of assistance that the United States can give in Kenya and other parts of the world. This is because school meals provide both a safety net for hungry children and an incentive to keep them in school so they can learn for a better future.

###

For more information about Music For Mankind® please visit http://www.musicformankind.net/

Music For Mankind® - Ride For The Hungry™

Music For Mankind founder, Kelly Moore is starting the first of several fundraising motorcycle rallies.

Proceeds to be contributed to the United Nations World Food Program and Feeding America.

July 11, 2010


Registration 9:00 - 10:00 AM at Ronnie's Cycle, Rte. 9, Bennington, VT
Depart 10:30 AM
1st stop in Manchester, VT 11:00 AM (call 802-362-3806 for location)
Anyone who wishes to start the ride here is welcome.
Leave Manchester at 11:30 AM
Lunch at Matterhorn Inn, Rte. 100, Dover, VT
Return after lunch to Ronnie's Cycle
Riders traveling from out of state are welcome to stay at the Matterhorn Inn. Discount prices offered for rally participants. Call 802-464-4676
Click here for the printable poster.
Please email kelly@musicformankind.net if you plan to attend so we can have a count for lunch.
For more information about Music For Mankind® please visit http://www.musicformankind.net/

Music For Mankind, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity non profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent the law allows.

Last Reminder: Webcast Benefit Concert

I met these two adorable children in Nicaragua. They look to be about 1 and 3 years old. They are 2 and 4 years old. This is due to severe and chronic malnutrition. That look you see goes right through you. We called it the 100 mile stare. I think these two are really, really hungry. It's heart-breaking. An image I will never forget, and one I remember often when sitting down to a meal.

The webcast concert we are performing is to help children and others who just need a hand up. The concert will be available starting this Saturday March 20 at http://www.musicformankind.net/ on the Webcast page. You can find it in the pulldown menu from the Multimedia tab. Donations given online will go to help  the incredible efforts of the UN World Food Program, Feeding America, and The Prem Rawat Foundation.

If any of you are having a group viewing, please let me know by emailing me at kelly@musicformankind.net . I'd like to personally and publicly thank you for your support.

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and support. It means so much in this effort to help.
Kelly

Save The Date for the Webcast Concert!

Please join us in helping those who struggle every day to survive!

I'll be performing a benefit concert, sort of a double header. The donations at the concert will go to the Manchester Community Food Cupboard. Online donations will go to the UN World Food Program's School Feeding Program, Feeding America (the national foodbank, formerly Second Harvest), and The Prem Rawat Foundation.

The webcast will be available Saturday March 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM. The concert will be performed in Manchester, VT. Hillary Smith and Anne D'Olivo,the vocalists from my ensembl Emerald Dreams will be performing with me. They are delightful singers and I really enjoy performing with them.

This is the first time we've done something like this, and I'm very excited and hopeful for a great outcome. We really need you to be a part of this, and to donate.

I've been in the field, and I've experienced it first-hand. Both the need and the hope. If my little efforts can help bring more people together as a community to help our global community, then we've succeeded. So please join us, enjoy the concert, and together let's make a difference.

Thanks!
Kelly Moore

Peru Calling

"Please do not forget us!"




Music For Mankind® joins Friends of the World Food Program in special fundraiser for Peru

I found these people, an ancient culture of well over 10,000 years old, to be very thoughtful of others. We attended many beautiful ceremonies, and many gracious, kind and welcoming speeches were made. The one that stays with me still is the last one. The gentleman who spoke begged us, "Please do not forget us. We will need your help in the dry seasons, and our neighbors need the help you have so kindly given us, too."

And it really doesn't take much. Just give $5 or $10, if we all help together, we can make a big difference. If everyone in the village brings one brick, we can build a foundation. Here, the foundation is food. Without that, there is nothing else. With that, school becomes a real possibility, with the ability and interest to learn and grow. From that, all things are possible.

Following our successful trip to Peru, Music For Mankind® and the Friends of the World Food Program have begun a fundraising program for the areas we visited. Each of us on the team are reaching out to do all we can to help those who were so kind and gracious to us during our visit there. Please help us help them by going to www.mycampaign.kintera.org/mfm. Make sure to select "The area I'm most interested in" drop-down window and scroll down to select Peru. Friends of WFP staff are alerted to watching for your tax deductible contributions to go directly to helping these incredible people.

Thank you so much for your support!

Kelly

WFP Success in Peru

I just got back from Peru on early Wednesday morning. It was truly a life-changing experience. Before this trip, I would always say, “I can talk about global hunger and the work of WFP until I’m red in the face, but I won’t truly understand it until I see it firsthand.” Well, this turned out to be true. As we were visiting the operations in Peru, I just couldn’t get over how impressive and efficient WFP was in implementing its programs. I saw how WFP does more than just feed people; it helps people feed themselves.

I was fortunate enough to visit a tile-making factory while I was in Peru. The factory was in the village of En Puruchcku. The factory looked very different than the ones we have in the United States. It was an open area, with a couple of huts and a big oven like building. Most of the work was done outside. The factory opened in 2007 and started out as a food for work project. WFP and ABA (WFP’s non-governmental partner in Peru) taught the factory workers different methods of tile production. In 2007 and 2008, the project was able to provide roof tiles for 180 homes (with 400,000 tiles), 9,000 block tiles used for the flooring of homes and 1,000 tubes needed for a sprinkler and irrigation system used throughout the community.

The factory has had so much success that they are now receiving money, instead of food, for their work and are selling these tiles to other communities in the area, as well as several companies in the nearby city of Ayacucho. Prior to purchasing tiles from En Puruchcku, factories in Ayacucho were buying tiles from the capital city of Lima, several hundred miles away.

I found the people who worked in this factory to be truly inspirational. They were extremely hard workers and had a passion for their craft. It really shows you what someone can do with a little bit of help.

Listen to our Behind the Scenes Conference Call from Lima.


Brian J. Ward
Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Peru 2009

The incredible opportunity to travel as a UN Delegate to Peru with the Friends of the World Food Program for the United Nations World Food Programme is an incredible honor for me. To see and experience first-hand the beauty of the people and their country, and learn of their joys and their difficulties makes my efforts with Music For Mankind® (www.musicformankind.net) very personal. To help in whatever way I can touches my heart in a way that words may not describe.

I have produced a short video of the trip, included here (click here), which will later become a full documentary. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the beauty that we experienced.

My sincere thanks to the Friends of the World Food Program and my fellow travelers for an incredible adventure!

Kelly Moore