WOWi (501c3) uniquely combines the ARTS + WEB+ LEARNING to build and connect communities locally, regionally, and globally. WOWi project teams and the WOWi community create new types of interactive digital media environments that are designed to evoke wonder, insight, and a sense of connection for improving the lives of targeted WOWi audiences. To serve its project teams, its content contributors, and its subscriber audiences, WOWi supplies training and support, an Internet accessible library of thematic media, and the means to generate custom interactive displays.

HERE’S WHAT WE HAVE DONE…

In February 2012, WOWi completed its first international project, called the “Angkor Wat ‘Digital’ School Project.”  For two weeks, in partnership with the Ponheary Ly Foundation in Siem Reap, Cambodia, a WOWi team of five worked with thirteen advanced computer students at the Tchey School to develop their Photoshop and video making skills. The fabulous videos that these students produced can be seen here, and photographs of this event can be seen here. The event involved a digital media exchange between students at the Tchey School and students at Connally High and the Trinity Episcopal School in the Austin area.  It also included a Skype session with students at the Garrison Forest School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Cash and in-kind support for the project, including team members paying their own travel expenses, ended up slightly over $16,000.  Volunteer hours are estimated to be in excess of 1,100.  By almost any measure, this project was a huge success.  And this is just the beginning!

A big thanks to all have supported us to this point and made this possible!  

…AND WE PLAN TO DO MUCH MORE!

Based upon the success of this two week event, WOWi will now embark on a 12 month digital media education program that continues to link the Cambodian school and others with Austin schools. This program will consist of both teaching and exchanges over the Internet, and concentrated 2-3 week sessions with WOWi teams on the ground in Cambodia.  It will also involve forming a companion organization in Cambodia -- WOWi-SiemReap – as a free standing exchange partner.

Calendar 2012-2013:

WOWi Digital Media Studios in Cambodia(2012-2013)

Remote instruction over the Internet (2012-2013)

Game Design Summer Camp (JUN-JUL 2012) – on-the-ground exchange event

Digital Photography and Graphic Design (NOV 2012) – on-the-ground exchange event to coincide with major photo fest in Siem Reap featuring SE Asian photographers

Video and Animation (FEB 2013) – on-the-ground exchange event to coincide with film festival in Siem Reap

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP

In the next few weeks, WOWi will be announcing several new funding initiatives related to the above calendar. Please check back and support our effort.

WOWi’s RELATIONSHIP TO THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

WOWi (the Windows of Wonder Institute) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization existing under the legal umbrella of the Austin Community Foundation.  All funds collected by WOWi through Crowdrise go exclusively to support WOWi projects.  For legal purposes, collected funds must go to ACF but are marked for exclusive use by WOWi to support its projects.