Donation protected
Hi, it's Daniel here, and thanks for getting this far....as you might or might not know, I've been supporting Justin for about 8 years now with funding his studies through University in Benin, subsequent English courses and taking a his multi day acting workshop that he won a place for in France.
Justin is courageously pursuing a long shot at an acting and film production career by studying film production in Benin during the evenings while working during the day as a personal trainer in a gym. Despite the long hours he is pulling, there is literally no way for him to raise the sort of money he needs to get to France without our support.
Sparing the details of Justin's background, it's fair to say he comes from exceptionally tough circumstances and is one of the hardest working guys I know in the pursuit of his dream. He's worked his way through a formal University education, learned English and now won a scholarship for a film school in France. The next step is for him to embark on that part of the journey for the three years with the vision of returning to Benin and supporting the growth of the budding Beninse film industry. He's selfless in his passion to see Benin progress and grow culturally through the arts, and film in particular.
Justin is also one of the most grateful and authentic human beings I have the privilege to know and support. He's a testament to the people and organisations that supported and raised him in his earlier years and he absolutely burns for this, so anything you can do to support him would be huge in helping on continuing this journey, and as the old saying goes: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"...
Please read about Justin in his own words below, followed by a breakdown of the use of funds and accompanying notes so you can see how your kind donations will be used:
"I’m Justin KOUMONDJI, I am from Benin and I'm an aspiring film actor and producer and here is part of my story...
After my Baccalaureate, as there was no acting school in Benin, I continued with the university where I obtained a Bachelor degree in Diplomacy and International Affairs at the National School of Administration and Magistracy. In 2022, it was with great joy that I met a professional from Hollywood who decided to open an acting school in Benin offering short-term training. Sedotossou.com I did not hesitate to register there and follow all its teachings. I played Murder in Fidjrosse and it was screened on March 17 in Paris at the Lavoir Moderne Parisien.
Thanks to one of the programs, I was able to reach the semi-finals of an international competition which took place this year in Cannes called Révévelations of the stars (/http://www.ifcarts.com).
This simple week spent in France around highly motivated and passionate artists made me want to go and study there to become a complete actor who could work in the biggest productions cinematographic in the world and also to explore what life has to bring me.
The screen industry in Benin is evolving with the Sèmè City development agency planning the construction of one of the best cinema schools in West Africa. But this will happen in ten years. This is why I am raising money to help me go to train internationally in order to learn and benefit from experiences from other horizons. In a few years my ambition is to become a great film actor and I will also be able to act as a teacher in this great film school currently under development.
Thanks to your help, I will have the chance and the opportunity to train at the Université Paris 8 (https://www.univ-paris8.fr/)
With you, I will be able to professionalize myself and create an international network of filmmakers.
One day I will be honoured to name you among those who contributed to my success. This would certainly allow others like me who are interested in cinema to be well trained because cinema cannot be done alone."
Below is a breakdown for the use of funds and notes:
- Justin has won a scholarship worth 2,000 Euro per year in fees so they are covered aside from a nominal admin fee per year.
- He will be allowed under French law to work up to 25 hours per week in addition to his studies which he'll do, meaning he can earn up to 800 Euro per month to help cover his cost of living but we've factored in that it might take time for him to find suitable work.
- There are some government grants to cover some cost that he can apply for when in France but there is no guarantee of getting them.
- I will hold the money until Justin gets set up with a bank account in France as we have learned over the years that transferring funds to Benin is hit with (daylight robbery) in excess of 30% commission costs on the value of the transfer.
- The following are the costs for one year (the amount we're looking to raise now) therefore anything over will either be used to help Justin with the following years (we don't want to run another Gofundme!) And/or if there is any further excess it will be used to support another friend of Justin's who I help out. If the target is smashed, any further excess will be donate to Startklar, the German NGO foundation that has been working in Benin for some time and introduced me to Justin when I was there in 2017. They do amazing work giving disadvantaged kids a start in life and those involved in that are my inspiration: (https://www.startklar-soziale-arbeit.de/startklar-rosenheim-ebersberg/)
Cost estimates therefore as follows for one year in Euro:
- Administration costs (visa, accommodation certificate, admission etc.) = 700
- Flight = 900
- Annual accommodation & deposit = 6,000
- Cost of living (food, travel, clothes etc) = 3,000
- Buffer for unforeseen costs, year 2, medical etc = 2,000
- Total = 12,600 Euro / 10,900 GBP
Anything you can do will be more than appreciated. We know times are strange, things are tough and money is tight but whatever even small amount you can give has the potential to take Justin a long way.
Justin and I are both blessed and thankful that you read this far, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your attention.
Organizer
Daniel Garner
Organizer
England