Urban Project: opportunities for young people through art

I started Urban Project with the goal of raising money for youth living and working on the streets in some of the places I have traveled (and beyond).

I wanted to go beyond simply redistributing the money to engage these young people in creative projects that fit with their current interests and passions.

The 2008/2009 project cycle represents our first attempt at achieving these goals - myself and two others leave for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in less than 6 weeks to begin preparations for a music making project with a group of Dar es Salaam street youth. In return for their creative energy, we plan to pay their school fees and other training course fees, and help them to set up safer housing arrangements in 2009. We hope to document this whole process on film and through a web-series.

I met some of these youth last year when I completed my MA research in Dar es Salaam and I can't wait to get back. I welcome any feedback on the 2008-2009 project and future directions for Urban Project: info@theurbanproject.com