The Journey Begins

So, I have attempted to write this blog entry on three separate occasions now; once on Friday night, once on Saturday night, and once again now. My previous two attempts failed, as exhaustion got the better of me before barely a word had been written. It did, however, start with the following line;

Exhausted, anxious, excited, confused, happy, appreciative, perplexed, sad, and full of hope. The last four years have taken me on a roller coaster of emotions, and there is no sign of that ending anytime soon. It began as a dream, as an idea, and then in all honesty it became an obsession, a healthy one I like to think, but an obsession all the same.

It's hard to express in words what this project means to me. It is certainly far more than a physical expedition between points a and point b. I have grown within it, and it has begun to represent everything of which I believe. I have met so many amazing people even before leaving home, and more so than that seen the amazing beauty and kindness in so many of my friends and family. It has truly been humbling.

In this respect, I have so many people to thank, and as I'm currently aboard the ferry from dover to dunkerque, really don't have the time to include everyone. As a result of this I'm just going to say a universal thank you to every single person who has been a part of this project, and my life, past, present, and future. I feel so blessed to know so many genuinely amazing people. I believe so strongly in humanity, and am all the time being reminded of what a kind and caring species we can be.

The 'Real Way Down' project was designed to connect people, to expose the presence of suffering, and more importantly hope in every corner of the globe. Suffering is not an African issue, nor a Middle Eastern one, but rather a world issue, a human issue. Hope is what can change this; sharing those moments where a helping hand is offered to someone who is not less then you, and perhaps not even worse off, but just in need of some support at that moment in time. And truly, I believe, it comes back around.

Will this project be a success? Honestly, I don't know. All I can say is that perhaps it is idealist, and perhaps naive, maybe even careless, but what has always kept me going is that it is 100% built upon positivity, progression, and the ability to change and affect things that we don't agree with. I for one am not prepared to stand by and accept a world where many people are sacrificed for the benefit of a few, and have a strong belief that we have a responsibility to do whatever we can to help.

So, for now, I will leave you with a few photos of us leaving the UK, after four hard years of planning. A massive giant hug once more for everyone who has supported me along the way. I am eternally grateful.

Peace by Piece

'Patchwork World' is a new approach to development work; an approach built upon innovation, and centred around people. Our vision is that suffering can be alleviated through hope, and that hope will grow through collective understanding and positive progression.

It is our view that in recent years the charity sector has grown rather stale, and remains far too reliant on dated techniques, with little room for creativity. We aim to change that. With a collective of people experienced and qualified in subjects relating to development and the charity sector, we will organise projects with a firm focus on connecting people, and by using innovation will actively seek to catalyse a new wave of tangible progress within the International community.

'Patchwork World' will give a face to a wide range of issues affecting and stunting development through the production of documentary films. These films will be centred around individuals, and will work to connect people through common hopes and grievences across the globe. We believe that nothing can express an issue greater than personal experience, and will create and develop a global solidarity network through such accounts.

Our primary focus will be to help support small focussed charities working on specific issues, by helping them to achieve greater exposure, and by connecting them to one another in order to grow collectively, and achieve shared goals and visions. We believe that organisations commited to providing core human necessities such as education, famine relief, medicine, sanitation, micro finance business, and indeed communication, very much create firm foundations on which developing countries can build more prosperous futures. To this end, we also want to focus in some of the world's most unstable states, where there is a lack in some, if not all of the above mentioned 'human rights'.

The first project we are embarking upon as a collective is the 'Real Way Down', where we will document the work of 22 charities in 22 countries, across 3 continents. The documentary will analyse the struggles people face throughout our route, and help to promote understanding, cooperation, and collaboration between individuals and organisations alike. We will use the film to promote the work of our partner charities, and also, through our school partnerships, attract young people to development work. Through a series of initiatives we have been raising money to donate to each of the projects we visit, and will also be donating our expedition vehicle to the Tusk Trust, on our arrival in South Africa. The film will be broadcast on the 'Community Channel', and it is our intention to tell the story through the people, and to give a face to the varying issues we shall encounter. You can follow this project online at www.realwaydown.com.

I will use this blogging space to discuss the progressive work of 'Patchwork World', as well as to explore a number of different issues within the International Community. I will also promote any other projects/initiatives that i believe deserve recognition and support. I may from time to time use this space as an outlet for my frustrations, and a platform for barely comprehensible ramblings.

Peace,
Matt