Changing lives in Sri Lanka
Donation protected
The story began with a viral video of a young boy posted on social media playing a kit made from trash cans and old tin plates.
Richard Danielson, drummer with LA based rock band, Vintage Trouble saw the video and offered to donate a real kit it we could track this talented young soul down.
As Richard himself said;
"It reminded me of myself when I was young. I wanted drums so bad that I made a kit out of big steel 50 gallon drums and old bottles, and what have you, much like this kid but nowhere near as elaborate. Thing is, this kid really has got some impassioned innate ability and that says everything to me. It is my true feeling that he was born to play the drums, that the rhythm Gods have bestowed within him a deep calling. It is evident from the video.
But how could a kid from the poor neighborhoods of Sri Lanka ever afford a real drumset? I may never happen. And by the time it did (as an adult) that calling may have passed. So, I am willing and fully motivated to donate a drumset to the casue of this young soul. We had hoped that the TM community would pitch in on the shipping of it. It would be a very nominal donation.
But what is cool is that it would be a TroubleMaker Production. That is community, and that is what this community is about in many ways: spreading love and good-will through the power of music. Let's do this. David, keep us posted. The drumset I have for this kid is ready to ship on a moments notice."
Months later after a lot of detective work on social media, we finally had a breakthrough and managed to connect with the guy who originally posted the video - it turned out to be a young boy from very poor family in Sri Lanka.
The community is still recovering from the affects of the civil war as well as the devastating Tsumani in 2004. Whilst donating a drum kit won't solve the regions problems on its own we believe that music and rythym can be a cause for hope and inspiration. Take a look at the original video and see for yourself! https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=283806725102411&set=vb.100004192573362&type=2&theater
We have now confirmed his identity and are looking to raise the money to pay to fly out there to make the donation in person. (In a country like Sri Lanka things have a habit of getting 'lost'in transit hence the decision to travel with the kit in person) I'll make the journey in coach class and spend only the what is needed to reach his village near Galle.
Any unspent money we will donate to his family and to the village where he lives so that the kids can have access to musical instruments and lessons, so dig deep this holiday season and spare a few bucks for this worthy cause.
Many thanks
David S. Tradewell
Troublemaker, Mission Leader
Richard Danielson, drummer with LA based rock band, Vintage Trouble saw the video and offered to donate a real kit it we could track this talented young soul down.
As Richard himself said;
"It reminded me of myself when I was young. I wanted drums so bad that I made a kit out of big steel 50 gallon drums and old bottles, and what have you, much like this kid but nowhere near as elaborate. Thing is, this kid really has got some impassioned innate ability and that says everything to me. It is my true feeling that he was born to play the drums, that the rhythm Gods have bestowed within him a deep calling. It is evident from the video.
But how could a kid from the poor neighborhoods of Sri Lanka ever afford a real drumset? I may never happen. And by the time it did (as an adult) that calling may have passed. So, I am willing and fully motivated to donate a drumset to the casue of this young soul. We had hoped that the TM community would pitch in on the shipping of it. It would be a very nominal donation.
But what is cool is that it would be a TroubleMaker Production. That is community, and that is what this community is about in many ways: spreading love and good-will through the power of music. Let's do this. David, keep us posted. The drumset I have for this kid is ready to ship on a moments notice."
Months later after a lot of detective work on social media, we finally had a breakthrough and managed to connect with the guy who originally posted the video - it turned out to be a young boy from very poor family in Sri Lanka.
The community is still recovering from the affects of the civil war as well as the devastating Tsumani in 2004. Whilst donating a drum kit won't solve the regions problems on its own we believe that music and rythym can be a cause for hope and inspiration. Take a look at the original video and see for yourself! https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=283806725102411&set=vb.100004192573362&type=2&theater
We have now confirmed his identity and are looking to raise the money to pay to fly out there to make the donation in person. (In a country like Sri Lanka things have a habit of getting 'lost'in transit hence the decision to travel with the kit in person) I'll make the journey in coach class and spend only the what is needed to reach his village near Galle.
Any unspent money we will donate to his family and to the village where he lives so that the kids can have access to musical instruments and lessons, so dig deep this holiday season and spare a few bucks for this worthy cause.
Many thanks
David S. Tradewell
Troublemaker, Mission Leader
Organizer
David St John Tradewell
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
