The Message from Nicole Johnson

    　Hello from New York, New York in the United States! My name is Nicole Johnson and I am a Sophomore at New York University studying social entrepreneur ship via creative production. It's such an honor to be a part of the Dreams and Hopes Art Project. After meeting Yuya Honda, I was inspired to reach out to organizations  geared towards the youth here in New York city. With Yuya's vision in mind, I encouraged the students in after school programs, day care centers, performing art schools, kids theater programs and the members of my own production company to think about their hopes and dreams. 

         As founder and creative director of Javanna Productions, I encourage my members to cultivate humanity and world citizenship through the arts. Javanna Productions is a non profit production company that raises funds and awareness for both domestic and international causes. Every year, Javanna Productions presents an effort entitled M.O.V.E. (Motivation Opportunity Vision Entertainment). This  year's effort, M.O.V.E. For Cambodia, requires the members to learn about  East Asian culture post regime. With that knowledge they are encouraged to use their craft to raise funds to build a school in Cambodia via the Bernie Krisher Rural School Project Foundation.  M.O.V.E. For Cambodia is inspired by Sheryl WuDunn's and Nicholas Kristof's novel "Half The Sky", a moving novel about women turning oppression into opportunity. The accounts and stories of young people described in this book inspired this team of M.O.V.E. representatives to get a move on.  The members are sympathetic, reverent, understanding young citizens of a global community and continue to gain a greater awareness and respect of the world with each artistic experience. We can build a new generation of citizens by advocating the necessity for  global citizens using the arts. Through visual art, dance, voice, song, spoken word, photography, etc., we can encourage the youth to take on their responsibility as members of our global community.   

         As I told the kids where I would be sending their hopes and dreams I began to understand the genius of Yuya Honda's project. This technique of informing the youth about people around the world through art is an effective way to create a sense of respect and reverence for one another at an early age. I can only hope that one day we can build a generation of young people that are truly concerned for the well being of others despite geographic boundaries. That generation will realize that "there is no us and them"…. we are all members of one global community. That generation of young people will grow to be the productive, reverent, creative politicians and peace makers of our world.

Dreams and Hopes keep us alive!! Dreams lighten the heart and hope lifts us up. So hope and dream like there is no tomorrow! 

Sincerely,

Nicole Johnson
and the members of Javanna Productions M.O.V.E.
jpmove.webs.com
http://www.indiegogo.com/MOVE